An upper endoscopy is a medical procedure conducted on the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The procedure is performed with the help of a regular endoscope, which is a long and wiry tool that has a light and lens at one end of it. The upper endoscopy procedure is ordered to examine the stomach, esophagus, and the duodenum from the inside.
An upper endoscopic procedure is usually recommended by a doctor when a patient suffers from nausea, unexplained abdominal pain, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, sudden weight loss, gastric reflux, anemia, and bleeding in the upper parts of the gastro intestinal tract. With the help of upper endoscopy, the doctors can detect the presence of ulcers, hernia, inflammation in the organs, cancerous growths and tumors, obstruction in the bowels, and other precancerous conditions.
Since the endoscope used in this procedure also has a shaft to insert other instruments, the upper endoscopy procedure can also be utilized to treat bleeding ulcers, remove blockages and obstructions, and retrieve tissue samples and biopsies for further examination.
In an endoscopic procedure, the endoscope is inserted into the body through a natural orifice. For upper endoscopy, the GI tract must be emptied before the procedure. A lot of doctors recommend their patients to be on a liquid diet for at least 2-3 days before the procedure so that all solid materials are eliminated from the tract. On the day of the examination, it is recommended that the patient should not consume anything for 4-8 hours before the procedure.
Before the test, it is required for the patient to discuss any heart and lung problems, allergies, or other chronic ailments. It is also possible that the doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking some of the medications that you have been taking. Some of the medications which may be restricted for a brief period before and after the endoscopy include aspirin and other non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, medications for blood pressure, anti depressants, blood thinners, medication for diabetes, and some dietary supplements.
Since you are usually given a sedative to help relax you during the procedure, it is recommended that you do not lift heavy objects or do any dangerous work like driving after at least 24 hours of the procedure.
Since the procedure is not a long one, patients do not need to get admitted into the hospital. Upper GI endoscopy procedure is usually performed in an out patient setting. A local anesthetic may be given to numb the back of the throat from where the endoscope will be inserted into the body.