Heart Health

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Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy

Procedure Overview

An upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the inside lining of your esophagus, Opens dialog, your stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum, Opens dialog). A thin, flexible viewing tool called an endoscope (scope) is used. The tip of the scope is inserted through your mouth and then gently moved down your throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

This procedure is sometimes called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (say “ih-SOF-uh-go-GAS-tro-DOO-aw-duh-NAW-skuh-pee”), or EGD.

Using the scope, your doctor can look for ulcers, inflammation, Opens dialog, tumors, infection, or bleeding. The procedure also can be used to look for signs of acid backing up into your esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The doctor can collect tissue samples (biopsy), remove polyps, and treat bleeding through the scope. Your doctor may find problems that do not show up on X-ray tests.

Current as of: October 19, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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