Upper endoscopy (EGD), explained simply.
When heartburn, swallowing difficulty, pain, or anemia needs answers, an upper endoscopy lets me look directly, and often treat what I find in the same procedure.
An EGD examines the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine using a thin, flexible camera while you're sedated. It's the test of choice for evaluating reflux complications, ulcers, inflammation, celiac disease, and precancerous changes like Barrett's esophagus, with biopsies taken as needed.
When I recommend it
- Frequent or long-standing heartburn, especially with alarm symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck
- Persistent upper abdominal pain or nausea
- Iron deficiency anemia or signs of GI bleeding
- Confirming celiac disease with biopsies
- Surveillance of Barrett's esophagus
What to expect
You'll avoid eating or drinking for at least eight hours beforehand so the stomach is empty. The procedure is brief, usually under 15 minutes, and done under sedation, so you'll need a ride home. If I see anything abnormal, I take biopsies during the same exam, and we review everything together afterward.
Upper Endoscopy FAQs
What is an EGD (upper endoscopy)? +
How should I prepare for an EGD? +
Can an endoscopy detect stomach cancer? +
What is Barrett's esophagus? +
What causes difficulty swallowing? +
Ready to schedule your upper endoscopy?
Request an appointment and the office will take it from there.