1.9K Reviews    |    4.7 Star Rating    |    20+ years of experience    |    72k+ Patients Treated

How an Upper Endoscopy Can Identify Your Digestive Discomfort

When you have uncomfortable and concerning digestive problems, getting a picture of what’s actually going on inside your body is the key to diagnosis. An upper endoscopy at GastroDoxs allows Bharat Pothuri, MD, to get such an image.

Texas Medical Board
Harris County Medical Society
American College of Gastroenterology
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Memorial hermann
Houston Methodist leading Medicine
HCA Houston Healthcare

How an Upper Endoscopy Can Help Your Digestive Symptoms

Digestive problems can make everyday life uncomfortable. You might feel bloated, have heartburn, or deal with sharp stomach pain. When basic treatments don’t help, your Houston GI doctor may suggest an upper endoscopy.

This simple procedure lets your doctor see inside your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It helps find problems that blood tests or scans might miss.

“An upper endoscopy gives us a direct look at what’s happening inside,” says Dr. Bharat Pothuri, a gastroenterologist at Gastrodoxs in the Texas Medical Center. “It helps us treat the root cause instead of guessing.”

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What Is an Upper Endoscopy?

An upper endoscopy (also called EGD) uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera. Your doctor gently guides it through your mouth and down your throat into your stomach and upper small intestine.

“We can clearly see the lining of your GI tract,” says Dr. Pothuri. “We check for inflammation, ulcers, narrowing, and even early cancers.”

What an Upper Endoscopy Can Show

This procedure can spot many problems inside your upper digestive tract, including:

Biopsies may also test for H. pylori, a common infection linked to ulcers and gastritis.
[Source: NIH – Helicobacter pylori]

Why You Might Need an Upper Endoscopy

Your doctor may recommend this test if you have:

“When other tests don’t give clear answers, endoscopy helps us get to the bottom of it,” says Dr. Pothuri. “It’s the best tool for upper GI symptoms.”

How It Helps Diagnose Stomach Pain

Stomach pain has many possible causes. Imaging and blood tests often give limited clues. An upper endoscopy shows the exact problem, so treatment can be more focused.

Common Findings:

“Houston’s food scene is diverse,” says Dr. Pothuri. “Some patients react to spicy foods. Others have ‘silent’ reflux. This test helps us treat each person properly.”

When Other Tests Don’t Help

Sometimes, scans and labs don’t explain your symptoms. That’s when an endoscopy for unexplained digestive issues becomes helpful.

It Can Detect:

“Many patients say, ‘I’ve tried everything and still feel sick,’” shares Dr. Pothuri. “Endoscopy often gives us the answer they’ve been searching for.”

What to Expect During an Upper GI Endoscopy

1. Before the Procedure

2. When You Arrive

3. Sedation and Comfort

4. During the Procedure (5–15 mins)

5. Recovery

6. Aftercare

Endoscopy vs. Other Tests: What’s 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 issues

How to Prepare for Your Endoscopy

“Good prep gives us the best results,” says Dr. Pothuri. “It helps us find answers fast.”

After the Procedure: What Happens Next

Once you wake up, your doctor will explain what they found.

Possible Results:

Mild side effects:

Call us or go to the ER if you feel severe pain, can’t swallow, or have a fever over 100.4 degree F.

Choosing the Right Endoscopy Center in Houston

When looking for care, choose a center that offers:

At Gastrodoxs, our center in the Texas Medical Center is equipped with the latest technology and a patient-first team ready to help.

Conclusion

An upper endoscopy is a safe, clear way to understand your digestive symptoms. It finds causes that other tests can miss—and helps guide the right treatment.
If you're struggling with stomach pain, reflux, or digestive problems in Houston, reach out to Dr. Bharat Pothuri at Gastrodoxs. We’re here to help you feel better—starting from the inside out.

Bharat Pothuri

About the Author

Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does an upper endoscopy show?

An upper endoscopy provides a direct view of the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It can detect inflammation, ulcers, strictures, hiatal hernias, Barrett’s changes, polyps, tumors, and other abnormalities.

2. How does it help with stomach pain?

By allowing your doctor to see the exact source of pain—such as ulcers, gastritis, reflux damage, or rare lesions—so treatment can be targeted rather than based on guesswork.

3. Is it painful?

Most patients feel only mild discomfort. A light sedation and throat numbing spray keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.

4. What happens during the test?

You fast for 6–8 hours, receive light IV sedation, lie on your side, and a thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed through your mouth to examine your upper GI tract. Biopsies can be taken if needed.

5. How long does it take?

The camera examination itself lasts about 5–15 minutes. Including prep and recovery time, plan on 1–2 hours at the endoscopy center.

6. When can I eat after?

After you recover, start with clear liquids. If you feel fine, you can gradually return to a soft diet and then your normal foods as tolerated.

7. Are there risks?

Risks are low but can include bleeding at biopsy sites, infection, or, very rarely, a tear (perforation). Our team follows strict safety protocols to minimize these risks.

8. How do I prepare?

Don’t eat or drink for 6–8 hours before the exam. Review all medications (especially blood thinners) with your doctor, wear comfortable clothing, and arrange for someone to drive you home.

9. Will insurance cover it?

Most insurance plans cover an upper endoscopy when it’s medically necessary. Our billing team can verify your coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs before the procedure.

10. When will I get results?

Your doctor will share initial findings right after the procedure. If biopsies were taken, pathology results usually arrive within 3–5 days, at which point you’ll discuss a tailored treatment plan.

Related Blogs