Upper Endoscopy Specialist

Why would I need an upper endoscopy?

The upper endoscopy can be used to identify conditions causing nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, and a variety of other symptoms related to your upper digestive system. This includes your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach, the stomach itself, and the uppermost portion of the small intestine, the duodenum.

Also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the upper endoscopy can also be used to obtain tissue samples, called biopsies, and/or treat issues affecting your digestive health, such as snipping off polyps or removing foreign objects.

What conditions can an upper endoscopy identify?

Your physician at Chicago Surgical Clinic may request an upper endoscopy to identify:

• Signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Peptic ulcers or open sores on the inner stomach lining and/or upper portion of your small intestine
• Gastric cancer
• Gastritis, or inflammation of the tissues lining your stomach
• Barrett's esophagus
• Changes associated with celiac disease (immune response to gluten)
• Narrowing or blockages of your esophagus
  
  

Your surgeon may also obtain a tissue sample during an upper endoscopy to check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This bacterial infection is a common cause of peptic ulcers and persistent gastritis. It also increases your risk of developing certain types of stomach cancer.

What should I expect during an upper endoscopy?

The upper endoscopy is an extremely safe and essentially painless study. Your Chicago Surgical Clinic specialist provides detailed information before scheduling the study.

You will be sedated for the study, during which your surgeon slides a thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera attached called an endoscope down your throat and through your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.

The images from the camera are transmitted to a computer monitor, which your doctor monitors carefully. When necessary, small instruments are inserted via the endoscope as well, which are used to obtain tissue samples, remove small polyps, or perform other treatments. Your throat may feel a little sore afterward, but these symptoms are generally well tolerated and resolve quickly.

For an accurate diagnosis and expert care regarding conditions affecting your upper digestive health, schedule a visit at Chicago Surgical Clinic online or by phone today.