Do you also have ongoing discomfort such as heartburn, stomach pain, or nausea? You may also have difficulty swallowing food. At times like these, your doctor may have said, "We need to put in a camera" or "We need to do an endoscopy." It's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you hear this. But it's actually not something to be afraid of. So today, let's talk about this EGD, or Upper Endoscopy test, in a simple and clear way.
What exactly is this EGD test?
The name EGD may sound a bit complicated. Its full name is “Esophagogastroduodenoscopy”. Oops! The name is long, isn’t it? Let’s break it down and understand.
Simply put, this is a procedure that examines the upper part of your digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) .
This is done using an instrument called an endoscope . It is a very thin, flexible tube. At one end of the tube is a small camera and a light. After giving you the necessary medication to avoid any discomfort or pain and putting you into a light sleep, the gastroenterologist inserts this camera-equipped tube through your mouth and observes the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum very clearly on a computer screen.
Imagine, this is like sending a tiny cameraman inside our body and looking at what's going on inside.
Who needs an EGD test?
If you have one or more of the symptoms below that persist without a cause being found, your doctor may refer you for this test.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Persistent upper abdominal pain for no reason. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Frequent nausea and vomiting. |
| Swallowing problems | Feeling like your throat is choking when swallowing food or liquids. |
| Heartburn | Persistent inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) that does not improve despite taking medication. |
| Vomiting blood | Vomiting with blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds. |
| Anemia | Low blood count (anemia) for which no other cause can be found. |
What diseases can be diagnosed with this test?
This EGD test can diagnose diseases more accurately than tests like X-rays because it allows you to look directly inside.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A condition that many people call "gastritis." Stomach acid comes up into the throat.
- Inflammation: Inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum (esophagitis, gastritis, duodenitis).
- Peptic ulcers: Ulcers that occur in the stomach.
- Specific intestinal diseases such as Celiac disease and Crohn's disease .
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
- Hiatal hernia: Part of the stomach protrudes into the chest.
- Taking a tissue sample (Biopsy): If you see a suspicious area, this same device can also be used to take a very small piece of tissue from there and send it for further examination. This is called taking a biopsy .
How to prepare for an EGD test?
Although this is a simple task that can be completed in a few hours, there are a few things you should prepare in advance.
1. Medical advice: It is important to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure) and any medications you are taking (especially blood thinners). Some medications may need to be stopped or the dosage adjusted a few days before the test.
2. Fasting: You cannot eat any solid food for 8 hours before the test. An empty stomach is essential for the test to be clear. You can drink some clear liquids, such as water, up to 2 hours before the test. Your doctor will advise you about this.
3. A companion: Because you will be sedated (put into a light sleep) for this test, you will not be able to drive or operate heavy machinery the day after the test. Therefore, you must bring a trusted adult to drive you home.
What happens during and after the test?
Before the test
When you arrive at the hospital, a nurse will check your vital signs and insert a small tube (IV catheter) into a vein in your arm and connect it to a saline line. Anesthesia medicine will be given through it. Most of the time, you will not be put to sleep completely, but instead you will be given a light, sleepy feeling (conscious sedation). In addition, a spray will be used to numb your throat.
During the test
You will be turned onto your left side and a mouthguard will be placed in your mouth to protect your teeth and tongue. Then, the doctor will carefully insert the endoscope through your mouth. The entire procedure will take between 30 and 60 minutes. You will not feel any pain.
After the test
After the test is over, you will have to stay in an observation room for about an hour or two until you regain consciousness.
- Sore throat: Once the anesthetic spray wears off, you may have a slight sore throat for a day or two. This can be relieved by things like cold drinks and ice cream.
- Gastric distension: The gas used to inflate the stomach during the test may cause a slight feeling of fullness in the stomach. This will subside after a while.
- Memory: You may have some memory loss from the test. This is normal due to the anesthesia.
What are the benefits and risks?
As with any medical procedure, there are benefits and very minor risks.
| Benefits | Risks - (Very rare) |
|---|---|
| The ability to diagnose and treat diseases without the risk of major surgery. | Allergic reactions to anesthetic drugs. |
| Being painless and being able to go home the same day. | Slight bleeding from the test site. |
| Being able to diagnose diseases very accurately. | Perforation of the wall of the esophagus - This is very rare. |
When to see a doctor immediately
If you experience any of the following symptoms after the test, inform your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Severe chest pain or abdominal pain
- Fever and colds
- Severe difficulty swallowing
- Black, tarry stools
- Persistent vomiting
The test results will be available the same day or within two weeks if a biopsy was performed. Once the results are in, your doctor will talk to you about them and the next steps.
Take-Home Message
- EGD, or Upper Endoscopy, is a very important and safe test used to find the cause of symptoms such as stomach inflammation and difficulty swallowing.
- Don't be afraid of this test. You won't feel any pain because you'll be given anesthesia.
- Follow the doctor's instructions carefully before the test (especially fasting).
- You must bring someone to take you home after the test.
- Don't be shy about any questions or concerns you have and talk to your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න