EGD
Gastroenterology in Irvine, Santa Ana and Anaheim, CA
Doctors use EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) to view the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the top of the small intestine). The highly experienced doctors at Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants in Santa Ana, Irvine, and Anaheim, California, use EGD to diagnose symptoms like abdominal pain and acid reflux. They can also treat problems like gastric ulcers using EGD. Call Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants today or book an appointment online to learn more about EGD and its role in diagnosis and treatment.
An EGD, also called an upper endoscopy or gastroscopy, examines the lining of your esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum — the first portion of your small intestine.
To perform an EGD, your doctor inserts a flexible, lighted tube through your mouth and into your stomach.
EGD is a diagnostic tool that can identify the cause of symptoms like:
EGD is more precise than X-rays when looking for stomach, esophageal, and duodenal cancer, ulcers, and inflammation. Your Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants doctor also uses EGD to examine the esophagus and stomach after major surgery.
In addition to seeing the digestive system tissues on a screen in the treatment room, your doctor can also perform biopsies. These use a specially designed instrument that takes small tissue samples for lab analysis.
Your doctor can use additional endoscopic instruments to treat various conditions without pain. They can expand narrowed areas, remove polyps (small growths) or swallowed objects, and control upper GI bleeding.
Your stomach must be empty before an EGD so your doctor can see the tissues in detail. They’ll give you precise preparation instructions, but you’ll likely need to stop eating and drinking for eight hours before your EGD.
Before the EGD, your doctor gives you a sedative to help you relax and sprays your throat with a local anesthetic.
You lie on your side or back as your doctor gently passes the endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus. Your doctor pumps air into your stomach to better view the tissues.
An EGD lasts 15-60 minutes, depending on its purpose. Most patients experience little discomfort and often fall asleep during the procedure.
After an EGD, you wait in the endoscopy area for 1-2 hours while the sedative wears off. You’ll probably feel bloated because of the air in your stomach, and your throat might be a little sore for a day or two.
Your doctor will discuss the findings of your EGD and recommend how to proceed.
Call Gastrointestinal & Liver Consultants today or book an appointment online to learn more about EGD and its role in your health care.