If you’re suffering with symptoms or a condition affecting your digestive health, Evanston Regional Hospital is here to help.

The board-certified general surgeon at Evanston Regional Hospital specializes in upper GI endoscopy, a simple outpatient procedure to help diagnose and treat problems with the esophagus, stomach, upper intestine or first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

About the Procedure

During upper GI endoscopy, your doctor gently passes a thin, flexible tube, called an endoscope, down your esophagus. The instrument has a tiny camera on the end, allowing for an up-close view of your upper digestive tract on nearby video monitors. The endoscope also gently pumps air into your stomach to make areas easier to see.

The procedure may be recommended for a variety of reasons, including:

• Assessing symptoms: Help your doctor determine what’s causing any uncomfortable digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing or gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Making a diagnosis: Used to collect tissue (biopsy) to test for diseases and conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease, anemia, inflammation or cancers of the digestive system.
• Treating a condition: Your doctor can pass special tools through the endoscope to treat problems in your digestive system, such as stopping a bleeding vessel, widening a narrow esophagus, or removing a polyp or foreign object.

Committed to Your Comfort

You’ll be asked to lie on your side on an exam table. To help you stay relaxed, your general surgeon will likely provide a light sedative through an IV.  You may also be given a liquid medicine to gargle or a spray to numb your throat to help keep the endoscope in place, though the tool does not interfere with your breathing. A dedicated team will watch you throughout and keep you as comfortable as possible. You may even fall asleep.

Depending on your unique needs, the endoscopy usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Results are often available right after the procedure, though it may take a few days if your doctor collects a biopsy.

Recovery & Follow-Up Care

Upper GI endoscopy is considered very safe – specialists regularly perform the procedure with low risks of complications.

Once you’re done, you’ll be taken to a recovery area for a brief time, where the team will monitor you as the sedation wears off. A friend or family member will need to drive you home, and you will both receive special instructions for at-home care.

In the hours following your procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, such as bloating or gas, cramping or sore throat, all which should improve in time.

If you have any concerns or are experiencing any serious problems, such as chest pain, problems breathing or swallowing or worsening pain in your abdomen, call your doctor or seek medical attention right away.