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.”
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.”
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]
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.”
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.
“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.”
Sometimes, scans and labs don’t explain your symptoms. That’s when an endoscopy for unexplained digestive issues becomes helpful.
“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.”
| 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 |
“Good prep gives us the best results,” says Dr. Pothuri. “It helps us find answers fast.”
Once you wake up, your doctor will explain what they found.
Call us or go to the ER if you feel severe pain, can’t swallow, or have a fever over 100.4 degree F.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most patients feel only mild discomfort. A light sedation and throat numbing spray keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.
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.
The camera examination itself lasts about 5–15 minutes. Including prep and recovery time, plan on 1–2 hours at the endoscopy center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
