Definition?
Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses an endoscope—a flexible tube with a camera to see the lining of your upper GI tract. A gastroenterologist, surgeon, or other trained health care professional performs the procedure, most often while you receive light sedation to help you relax.
Another name is EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Purpose of Endoscopy?


 	
Find problems in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
 	
Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or the stomach (gastritis)
 	
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
 	
A narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus.
 	
Enlarged and swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach.
 	
Esophageal cancer.
 	
Hiatal hernia.
 	
Ulcers.
 	
Cancer.
 	
Find the cause of vomiting blood.
 	
Find the cause of symptoms, such as upper belly pain or bloating, trouble swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.
 	
Find the cause of an infection.
 	
Check the healing of stomach ulcers.
 	
Look at the inside of the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum) after surgery.
 	
Look for a blockage in the opening between the stomach and duodenum.
 	
Check for an injury to the esophagus in an emergency.
 	
Collect tissue samples (biopsy) to be looked at in the lab.
 	
Treat upper GI bleeding that may be causing anemia.
 	
Remove foreign objects that have been swallowed.

Before having an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, tell your doctor if you:


 	
Are allergic to any medicines, including anesthetics.
 	
Are you taking any medicines?
 	
Take a blood thinner or have had bleeding problems.
 	
Have heart problems.
 	
Are or might be pregnant.
 	
They have diabetes and take insulin.
 	
Have had surgery or radiation treatments to your esophagus, your stomach, or the upper part of your small intestine.
 	
Do not eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test. An empty stomach helps your doctor see your stomach clearly during the test. It also reduces your chances of vomiting.
 	
If you vomit, there is a small risk that the vomit could enter your lungs. (This is called aspiration.) If the test is done in an emergency, a tube may be inserted through your nose or mouth to empty your stomach.
 	
You may be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of the test and agree to have it done.
 	
You may be asked to stop taking aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and iron supplements 7 to 14 days before the test.
 	
Do not take sucralfate (Sulcrate) or antacids on the day of the test. These medicines can make it hard for your doctor to see your upper GI tract.
 	


Procedure
Your doctor might start by spraying your throat with a local anesthetic or by giving you a sedative to help you relax. You will then lie on your side, and your doctor will pass the endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing, Most patients consider the test only slightly uncomfortable, and many patients fall asleep during the procedure.
The upper GI endoscopy most often takes between 15 and 30 minutes. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing, and many people fall asleep during the procedure.
Post-procedure


 	
Stay at the hospital or outpatient center for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure so the sedative can wear off
 	
Rest at home for the rest of the day
 	
Bloating or nausea for a short time after the procedure
 	
A sore throat for 1 to 2 days
 	
Go back to your normal diet once you are swallowing returns to normal

Seek Care Right Away


 	
If you have any of the following symptoms after an upper GI endoscopy, seek medical care right away:
 	
chest pain
 	
problems breathing
 	
problems swallowing or throat pain that gets worse
 	
vomiting—particularly if your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
 	
pain in your abdomen that gets worse
 	
bloody or black, tar-colored stool