Upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and will view the images on a video monitor. You might hear your doctor or other medical staff refer to upper endoscopy as upper GI endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD or panendoscopy. Please ask Dr. Bravo about anything you don’t understand.

Common Questions and Answers:

What can an Upper Endoscopy Diagnose?

An Upper Endoscopy can diagnose:

• Celiac Disease
  
• Crohn’s disease
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or acid reflux)
  
• Irritation of the esophagus (esophagitis), stomach (gastritis) or small intestine (duodenitis)
  
• Narrowing or blockage of the esophagus
  
• Tumors, either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)
  
• Ulcers in the stomach (gastric) or small intestine (duodenal)
• Bacterial infections such as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)

How should I prepare for the an Upper Endoscopy?

An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately six hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start fasting.

What can I expect during upper endoscopy?

Your doctor might start by spaying 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 doesn’t interfere with your breathing. Most patients consider the test only slightly uncomfortable, and many patients fall asleep during the procedure. The procedure itself usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes, although you should plan on two to three hours for waiting , preparation and recovery.

What happens after upper endoscopy?

You will be monitored until most of the effects of the medication have worn off. Your throat might be a little sore, and you might feel bloated because of the air introduced into your stomach during the test. You will be able to eat after you leave unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and reflexes could be impaired for the rest of the day. For safety reasons, you can not drive or operate vehicles, dangerous machinery, tools or appliances until the following day.

• 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXAM: STOP TAKING COUMADIN, WARFARIN, JANTOVEN (unless otherwise instructed)
• DAY OF EXAM: administer half the morning dose of INSULIN at the usual time in the morning of the exam and then administer the second half of the insulin dose with a post-exam meal.
• DAY OF EXAM: oral hypoglycemic agents (medications for diabetes) are withheld until you resume a normal diet.
• Continue ALL other medications.

You need to have someone to drive you back home after the exam. Wear comfortable clothing.

Dr. Arturo Bravo is a digestive disease specialist trained in the most advanced endoscopic techniques. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Gastroenterology, the American Board of Transplant Hepatology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. For more information on treatment options, or to schedule a consultation, call us at 281.970.6027.

We are conveniently located within driving distance of Cypress TX, Katy TX, Spring TX, Tomball TX, The Woodlands TX, and Houston TX.