Reasons for an upper endoscopy
- Frequent acid reflux or heartburn that doesn't respond to medication
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Upper abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Bleeding in the upper digestive tract or unexplained anemia
- Checking for ulcers, celiac disease, or Barrett's esophagus
What to expect
You'll be sedated for comfort. A thin, flexible scope with a camera is passed through the mouth, and the exam usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Dr. Forohar can take biopsies, stretch a narrowed esophagus, or treat bleeding during the same procedure.
How to prepare
You'll need an empty stomach, so you'll be asked not to eat for several hours beforehand. Your instructions explain exactly when to stop eating and drinking and how to handle your medications. Plan for someone to drive you home.
- Upper endoscopy (EGD) instructionsEnglish 4-page PDFDownload
- Instrucciones para endoscopia superior (EGD)Español PDF de 3 páginasDescargar
Afterward
A mild sore throat is common and usually passes within a day. Dr. Forohar will go over his findings with you, and biopsy results follow once the lab reports back.