The reason an Upper Endoscopy can be useful in improving your digestive symptoms
Digestive issues make normal life miserable. You can be bloated, heartburned, or experience sharp pain in the stomach. In unresponsive cases to basic treatments, your GI physician at Houston will recommend an upper endoscopy.
It is a very easy procedure that allows your doctor to view your esophagus, stomach and the upper small intestine. It assists in the detection of issues that may not have been detected by blood tests or scans.
An upper endoscopy lets us see straight inside what is going on inside, says gastroenterologist Dr. Bharat Pothuri, of Gastrodoxs in the Texas Medical Center. It assists us in treating the underlying problem rather than having a guess.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- What is an Upper Endoscopy
- When and why should you need one
- It is more useful in the diagnosis of stomach pain
- Pre-event, during and post-event expectations
- Where other tests fail to assist, what it can discover
- Information on what to eat and where to visit in Houston
What is an Upper Endoscopy?
The endoscopy (or EGD) is an examination of the small intestine that involves a light and camera on an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube. It is easily pushed through your mouth and down your throat into your stomach and the upper small intestine by your doctor.
- No surgery or cuts required
- Gives clear and real time pictures
- Is able to perform biopsies in the examination
- Generally performed on an out-patient basis
Dr. Pothuri can easily observe the mucosa of your GI tract. We do inflammation, ulcer, narrowing, and even early cancers.
What an Upper Endoscopy Can Show
This process is capable of identifying numerous issues within your upper tract of the digestive system such as:
- Irritation or swelling of the stomach.
- Stomach or upper intestine ulcers.
- Acid reflux inflammation of the esophagus.
- Change in cells of the esophagus a consequence of long-term reflux.
- When a part of the stomach is raised to become hiatal hernia.
- The symptoms of celiac disease harm the small intestine.
- Scarring (narrowing) of the intussusception.
- Growths or polyps which might require testing.
H. pylori is a widespread infection, which can be tested by biopsies and is associated with ulcers and gastritis.
Online source: NIH Helicobacter pylori.
The reasons why you may require an upper endoscopy.
This test may be suggested by your doctor in case you have:
- Ongoing stomach pain
- Recurring heartburn or acid reflux
- Unexplained weight loss
- Vomiting or blood in your stool
- Trouble swallowing
- Low iron or signs of anemia
Endoscopy assists in getting to the root of the answer when other tests have failed to provide any clear results, explains Dr. Pothuri. It is the most useful equipment to use in upper GI.
How It Assists in the Diagnosis of Stomach Pain
Pain in the stomach is associated with a variety of causes. Blood tests and imaging can provide insufficient leads. An upper endoscopy of the upper part would reveal the exact issue allowing treatment to be more targeted.
Common Findings:
- Ulcers that require acid-lowering drug or H. pylori therapy.
- Infection, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, or autoimmune gastritis.
- Damage of esophagitis or Barretts reflux.
- Non-manifested functional problems.
- Uncommon tumors or growths which require biopsy.
According to Dr. Pothuri, the food scene in Houston is a diverse one. Other patients are sensitive to spicy foods. Others have silent' reflux. This test assists us in treating every individual appropriately.
When Other Tests Don't Help
There are cases when scans and lab tests do not give your symptoms. This is when an endoscopy due to the unexplainable digestive problems comes in.
It Can Detect:
- Small hiatal hernias which are not observed on X-rays.
- Minuscule erosions not seen on scans.
- Symptoms of early celiac or eosinophilic esophagitis.
- H. pylori infections which were undetected by blood tests
- Before it progresses, the esophagus of Barrett looks like this.
According to Dr. Pothuri, many patients complain saying, I have tried everything and I still feel ill. Endoscopy usually provides the answer that they were seeking.
What to Expect when having an Upper GI Endoscopy
1. Before the Procedure
- Don't eat or drink for 6-8 hours
- Report drugs and allergy to your physician
- There are certain blood thinners that may have to be stopped
2. When You Arrive
- Check-in and get into a gown
- IV line inserted and vital taken
3. Sedation and Comfort
- Light sedation will put you at ease
- Throat spray numbs the area
- You will not be asleep but half sleepy
4. During the Procedure (5-15 mins)
- You lie on your side
- The tube passes mildly through your mouth
- The physician examines the issues and possibly biopsies
5. Recovery
- Rest for 30-60 minutes after
- In order to check you, nurses watch
- Expect to feel a bit drowsy
6. Aftercare
- Have someone drive you home
- Begin with clear liquids, move on to soft food
- Mild bloating or sore throat is fine
Endoscopy vs. Other Tests: What the heck is the difference?
| Feature | Upper Endoscopy | CT Scan | Barium Swallow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct View Inside? | Yes | No | Limited |
| Can Take Biopsies? | Yes | No | No |
| Uses Radiation? | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sedation Needed? | Light Sedation | Sometimes | No |
| Time Needed | 1-2 hours | 30-60 mins | 30-60 mins |
| Best For | Lining, small lesions | Deep tissue views | Swallowing problems |
The preparation of your endoscopy
- Don't eat or drink for 6-8 hours
- Check on all medicines with your physician
- Wear loose clothes and do not wear jewelry
- White (2000b), when you come home, have someone drive you
- Note down questions that you have
According to Dr. Pothuri, good preparations are the best way to get the best results. “It helps us find answers fast.
Following the Procedure: The Next Step
After you have woken up, your doctor will tell you what he or she has found.
Possible Results:
- Normal may require lifestyle or diet modification.
- Inflammation or ulcer medication or H. pylori medication.
- The process of endoscopy may involve the stretching of narrowings (strictures).
- The outcome of Biopsies 5 results in more answers in 3-5 days.
Mild side effects:
- Slight sore throat
- Bloating or gas
- Light cramps (in case biopsies were made)
Contact us or visit the ER in case of severe pain, inability to swallow, or a body temperature higher than 100.4 degree F.
The decision to go to the Right Endoscopy Center in Houston.
Choose a center that is providing:
- GI doctors such as Dr. Bharat Pothuri have board certifications.
- Contemporary equipment and a healthy and hygienic environment.
- Clear-cut cost and insurance details.
- Courteous employees to show you the way.
Our center, Gastrodoxs, located in the Texas Medical Center is technologically advanced and has a team committed to serving the patient first.
Conclusion
An upper endoscopy is a non-invasive, non-invasive method of knowing your digestive symptoms. It identifies causes which other tests may overlook and can assist in directing the appropriate treatment.
In case you have stomach pain, reflux or digestion issues in Houston, visit Dr. Bharat Pothuri in Gastrodoxs. We are here to make you feel good, inside out.
