It is done on an outpatient basis and can be completed in approximately 15 to 30 minutes. EGD may be recommended for many different medical conditions. 

Am I a candidate for EGD?

EGD makes it possible to examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (top part of the small intestine). You may be scheduled for this diagnostic treatment if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

  • Chronic heartburn
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Anemia or weight loss
  • Chest pains (if not caused by heart problems)
  • Dysphagia (Difficulty swallowing)
  • Persistent pain in the upper abdomen
  • Feeling full after consuming just a small quantity of food
  • Blood in the stool
  • Vomiting blood
  • Sensation like food stuck in the throat

What should I expect with EGD?

  • You should not eat or drink for eight hours before EGD. Often NPO (Nothing by mouth) at midnight going into your procedure. 
  • The procedure may be performed with pain medication, light sedation, and topical anesthetic to numb the mouth and throat.
  • Gentle air pressure may be used to inflate the GI tract.
  • An endoscope (flexible tube with a camera) is inserted through your mouth and passed through the esophagus and stomach to the duodenum.
  • Using a monitor, your doctor will examine your GI tract and may take a biopsy or perform treatment as needed.
  • When the procedure is complete, the endoscope is slowly withdrawn.

Is there any recovery after EGD?

You will be monitored in a recovery room, then allowed to return home approximately one hour after the procedure. Do not eat or drink until you can swallow normally. You may experience soreness in the throat, cramping, or gas and bloating. These minor side effects should resolve on their own within 24 hours.

Why choose Advanced Surgical Technology?

Our mission is to provide superior surgical and nonsurgical care with the highest level of service and integrity. With our office-based lab, we can deliver services more quickly and conveniently for our patients. We are a multidisciplinary practice in Mt. Vernon, Centralia, Herrin and Marion, IL, offering unparalleled, comprehensive care.

Advanced Surgical Technology

FAQ

What exactly is the upper GI tract?

The upper gastrointestinal tract includes the mouth, the esophagus, the stomach, and the duodenum. The food you place in your mouth, chew, and swallow is carried through the esophagus to the stomach, where it is churned and broken down by stomach acids into smaller particles. These particles enter the duodenum, where they are further broken down with digestive juices from the pancreas and bile from the liver.

How does the endoscope work in an EGD?

An endoscope makes it possible to perform many procedures less invasively. In an EGD, the doctor moves this flexible tube with a computer chip camera at the end through the upper GI tract. The camera transmits images to a screen, allowing the doctor to examine the area. The endoscope also has an open channel through which the doctor can pass medical instruments to take tissue samples or perform any necessary procedures.

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