Endoscopy

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a technique for looking inside the body. Using an endoscope, a long, thin flexible tube with a tiny light and video camera on the end, physicians can view and evaluate the interior of the upper digestive system.

Endoscopy allows the physician to view clear, high-quality, and detailed photos of organs and tissue. This technique is minimally invasive and enables physicians to see abnormalities such as inflammation or bleeding, that may not be visible on X-rays.

If anything suspicious is viewed during the procedure, tissue samples can be taken for biopsy. Other instruments can also be inserted into the scope to treat certain conditions. Our goal is early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment of disease utilizing endoscopy.

EGD Procedure

An Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD, is an endoscopy that is used to examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach and the duodenum, which is the upper part of your small intestine. 

This test allows your physician to examine the upper part of your digestive tract. 

An EGD is often done before weight loss surgery to evaluate the area where the surgery will be done. It may also be performed to diagnose an issue related to symptoms such as:

• severe, chronic heartburn
• vomiting blood
• black or tarry stools
• regurgitating food
• pain in the stomach
• unexplained anemia
• persistent nausea or vomiting
• unexplained weight loss
• a sensation that food is "getting stuck" while swallowing
• pain of difficulty swallowing