What is an upper GI endoscopy?

An upper gastrointestinal (or GI) endoscopy is a test that allows your doc to look at the within of your esophagus, stomach, and the first office of your modest intestine, called the duodenum. The esophagus is the tube that carries food to your stomach. The dr. uses a thin, lighted tube that bends. It is called an endoscope, or scope.

The physician puts the tip of the scope in your mouth and gently moves it down your throat. The scope is a flexible video photographic camera. The doctor looks at a monitor (similar a Tv or a estimator screen) as he or she moves the scope. A doctor may practise this procedure to look for ulcers, tumors, infection, or bleeding. It as well tin can exist used to look for signs of acid backing up into your esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The doctor can apply the scope to accept a sample of tissue for study (a biopsy). The doctor also tin use the scope to accept out growths or stop bleeding.

Follow-up intendance is a key part of your treatment and prophylactic. Exist sure to brand and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a expert idea to know your test results and go along a list of the medicines you take.

How do you ready for the procedure?

Procedures tin can be stressful. This information will assist you sympathise what you lot can wait. And it will aid yous safely prepare for your process.

Preparing for the procedure

  • Practise non swallow or drink annihilation for half dozen to viii hours before the test. An empty tum helps your doctor meet your stomach clearly during the exam. It too reduces your chances of vomiting. If yous vomit, there is a small take a chance that the vomit could enter your lungs. (This is called aspiration.) If the test is done in an emergency, a tube may exist inserted through your nose or mouth to empty your stomach.
  • Do not take sucralfate (Carafate) or antacids on the day of the examination. These medicines tin arrive hard for your dr. to see your upper GI tract.
  • If your doctor tells yous to, stop taking iron supplements 7 to 14 days before the test.
  • Exist sure you lot have someone to have you domicile. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for yous to drive or get home on your own.
  • Understand exactly what procedure is planned, forth with the risks, benefits, and other options.
  • Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your process. Your md will tell yous if you lot should terminate taking whatsoever of them earlier the process and how soon to do information technology.
  • If you have aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should finish taking it before your procedure. Make sure that you lot understand exactly what your md wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of haemorrhage.
  • Brand certain your medico and the hospital accept a copy of your advance directive. If yous don't accept one, y'all may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health intendance wishes. It's a good matter to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

  • Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be canceled. If your doctor told you to accept your medicines on the mean solar day of the procedure, accept them with only a sip of water.

  • Accept a bath or shower before you come in for your procedure. Do not utilise lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail smooth.

  • Take off all jewelry and piercings. And accept out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery heart

  • Bring a picture ID.

  • The test may take 15 to xxx minutes.

  • The doctor may spray medicine on the back of your pharynx to numb it. Yous also volition go medicine to prevent pain and to relax you.

  • You will lie on your left side. The doctor volition put the telescopic in your oral cavity and toward the dorsum of your throat. The doctor will tell you when to swallow. This helps the scope move downwards your throat. You will exist able to exhale unremarkably. The medico will move the scope downward your esophagus into your stomach. The doctor also may look at the duodenum.

  • If your doctor wants to accept a sample of tissue for a biopsy, he or she may utilize small surgical tools, which are put into the telescopic, to cut off some tissue. You volition not feel a biopsy, if one is taken. The md also can utilize the tools to stop bleeding or to do other treatments, if needed.

  • Yous will stay at the hospital or surgery center for 1 to 2 hours until the medicine you were given wears off.

What happens after an upper GI endoscopy?

  • After the exam, y'all may belch and experience bloated for a while.

  • You may have a tickling, dry out throat or mouth. You may feel a bit hoarse, and you may have a balmy sore throat. These symptoms may last several days. Throat lozenges and warm saltwater gargles can assist relieve the throat symptoms.

  • Ask your doctor when you can bulldoze once more.

  • Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to your usual diet and activities.

  • Don't drink alcohol for 12 to 24 hours after the test.

When should you phone call your doctor?

  • You have questions or concerns.
  • Yous don't understand how to fix for your procedure.
  • Yous become sick earlier the procedure (such equally fever, flu, or a cold).
  • You lot need to reschedule or have changed your listen about having the procedure.

Where tin can you lot learn more?

Get to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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