If you need diagnostic testing for persistent nausea or heartburn, Centers for Digestive Health offers EGD testing in the Highland, Merrillville, Dyer, Gary, Crown Point, and DeMotte, Indiana, offices. The team uses the latest upper endoscopy technology to evaluate your upper gastrointestinal tract and diagnose conditions like cancer and hiatal hernias. To find out if you need EGD testing, schedule an appointment online today or call the office.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an upper endoscopy procedure used to evaluate the lining of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An EGD can diagnose conditions that affect your esophagus, stomach, and the highest portion of your small intestine.
You could need an EGD if you have unexplained symptoms or upper GI issues that aren’t responding to treatment, like:
An EGD can identify issues like a hiatal hernia, cancer, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This test might also be necessary if you have underlying conditions like Crohn’s disease and need additional testing to monitor your condition and treatment.
During an EGD, your provider at Centers for Digestive Health gives you a sedative to help you stay relaxed and comfortable. They can also give you a local anesthetic to keep you pain-free before they insert the endoscope into your mouth.
An endoscope is a flexible tube that has an attached light and camera. As the scope travels down into your throat, it sends real-time images of your throat, esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine to an external monitor.
Your provider watches the monitor to identify inflammation and other abnormalities as they move the scope through your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
To create clearer images, your provider can push air through the scope to expand your colon. If suspicious tissue is present, they can also insert small surgical tools through the scope to remove it for further evaluation by a medical lab.
They can also use the endoscope to improve your upper GI function, like widening your esophagus.
Following an EGD, you can expect to spend some time recovering from the sedative. You might have difficulty swallowing or feel numbness in your throat, but that should go away soon after your procedure. It’s also normal to have gas and bloating for a few hours after the procedure.
Centers for Digestive Health provides you with after-care instructions. Don’t eat or drink for 6-12 hours after the test. Your particular instructions will be more specific about the time. This allows the anesthetic time to wear off to prevent swallowing issues and choking.
If your provider took a sample of tissue during your EGD, they will contact you with your test results and discuss the need for additional diagnostic testing or treatment if needed.
If you have unexplained abdominal pain or chronic heartburn, schedule an EGD consultation online or call the office.
