Heartburn that wakes you at night, food that seems to stick on the way down, or nausea that lingers for weeks can make eating feel like guesswork. When these symptoms keep returning, you may hear the words upper GI endoscopy for the first time. For many people in Katy and Houston, that raises questions about why it is needed and what it involves. Here is what you should know before you decide.
What Is an Upper GI Endoscopy?
An upper GI endoscopy, also called an upper endoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to view the lining of your esophagus, stomach and duodenum, the first part of your small intestine.1 Images appear on a monitor so the physician can look closely at areas that X rays may not show in the same detail. Our upper GI endoscopy in Katy is used both to find the cause of symptoms and, when appropriate, to treat certain problems during the same procedure.
Symptoms That May Lead You to Consider an Endoscopy
Doctors use upper endoscopy to evaluate upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing and other upper digestive symptoms.2 It can also help identify the source of bleeding in the upper digestive tract.2 You might discuss this test with us if you notice:
- Heartburn that is frequent or keeps returning despite treatment
- Trouble or pain when you swallow, a concern we evaluate as part of our care for swallowing disorders
- Persistent indigestion or upper abdominal discomfort
- Ongoing nausea or vomiting
- Signs of bleeding, such as black stools or vomiting blood, or iron deficiency anemia
Black stools or vomiting blood call for prompt medical attention rather than waiting for a routine visit.
How Endoscopy Fits Into Reflux Care
Many people with gastroesophageal reflux disease are diagnosed from their symptoms and history alone. Testing becomes more likely when symptoms suggest a complication, when another condition could be the cause or when symptoms do not improve with medicines and lifestyle changes.3 In those situations, endoscopy can help look for complications and for problems other than reflux.3
What an Endoscopy Can Find and Treat
Upper endoscopy can help identify conditions such as reflux disease, celiac disease, Barrett's esophagus and cancer.1 During the exam, a physician may take small tissue samples, called biopsies, which you typically do not feel.1,2 Biopsies are taken for many reasons, including testing for H. pylori infection, a bacteria that can cause ulcers.2
The procedure can also be therapeutic. Instruments passed through the endoscope can stretch a narrowed area, remove polyps or treat bleeding.2 This means some problems may be addressed without a separate operation, although your follow up plan depends on what is found. It is also one of the tools we may use when evaluating gastritis.
Preparing for Your Upper Endoscopy in Katy or Houston
An empty stomach allows the clearest and safest view, so you will usually be asked not to eat or drink for about eight hours beforehand, although your physician will confirm the exact timing.2 Tell us about every medicine and supplement you take, especially blood thinners, aspirin, diabetes medicines and iron, since some may need adjusting.1,2 Our guide to preparing for gastroenterology procedures explains the next steps.
If you receive sedation, you will need someone to drive you home, because judgment and reflexes can remain affected for the rest of the day.2 Planning that ride ahead of time makes the day easier whether you live near our Kingsland Blvd office in Katy or our Blalock Rd office in Houston.
What Happens During and After the Test
You will typically receive a sedative or a throat spray, then lie on your side while the endoscope is gently passed through your mouth. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing, and many people fall asleep.1,2 The exam usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes.1 Afterward, a mild sore throat or bloating is common and tends to pass.1 Some results may be shared that day, while biopsy results can take a few days or longer.1
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Endoscopy
Where can I get an upper GI endoscopy near Katy or Houston?
You can start with a consultation at our Katy office at 25230 Kingsland Blvd, Suite 102, or our Houston office at 1240 Blalock Rd, Suite 210. We will review your symptoms and let you know whether an upper endoscopy makes sense and where it would be scheduled.
Is an upper endoscopy painful?
Most people find an upper endoscopy only slightly uncomfortable. Sedation or a throat spray is usually given, many people sleep through it and a mild sore throat afterward is common.
How long does an upper GI endoscopy take?
The procedure itself typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes. You should plan for extra time to check in beforehand and to recover while the sedative wears off.
Can I eat before an upper endoscopy?
You usually cannot eat or drink for about eight hours before the procedure. Your care team will give you exact timing, since instructions can vary from person to person.
What are the risks of an upper GI endoscopy?
The risks of upper endoscopy are low. They can include a reaction to the sedative, bleeding or, rarely, a tear in the lining of the digestive tract, and your physician will discuss these with you beforehand.
Talk With a Gastroenterologist in Katy or Houston About Endoscopy
Persistent upper digestive symptoms deserve a clear explanation, and an upper endoscopy is one way to find it. If you would like to talk through whether this test fits your situation, you can schedule a visit with our gastroenterology team at our Katy or Houston office.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Upper GI Endoscopy. NIDDK, National Institutes of Health. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/upper-gi-endoscopy
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Understanding Upper Endoscopy. ASGE patient information. https://www.asge.org/home/for-patients/patient-information/understanding-upper-endoscopy
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diagnosis of GER & GERD. NIDDK, National Institutes of Health. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/diagnosis
Radha Tamerisa, MD, is a board certified gastroenterologist who has cared for patients in the Katy community for over 21 years. She earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine internship at Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University. She then completed her internal medicine residency and a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. During her training, she coauthored published research, including a review on endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal cancers. A Katy native, she sees patients at offices in Katy and Houston.
