Upper Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy – EGD)
Care Before the Procedure
- Fasting:
- No food or drink (including water) for 6–8 hours before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach and reduce aspiration risk.
- Medication Adjustments:
- Discuss all medications with your doctor; you may need to temporarily stop blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel) or diabetes medications.
- Arrangements:
- Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward, as sedation impairs coordination and judgment.
- Health Disclosure:
- Inform your doctor of allergies, medical conditions, or previous reactions to sedation.
Care During the Procedure
- Setting: Typically done in an outpatient endoscopy suite or hospital.
- Sedation:
- Most patients receive moderate sedation (e.g., midazolam for relaxation, fentanyl for pain) or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for comfort.
- Process:
- You’ll lie on your left side.
- A mouthguard is placed to protect your teeth and the endoscope.
- The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and advanced slowly.
- The procedure usually takes 10–30 minutes, depending on findings and interventions.
- Patient Experience:
- You may feel slight pressure but should not experience pain due to sedation.
- Breathing is not affected.
Care After the Procedure
- Immediate Recovery:
- Monitored for 30–60 minutes until sedation wears off.
You may have a sore throat or mild bloating from air insufflation; these resolve quickly. - Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions for 24 hours.
- Monitored for 30–60 minutes until sedation wears off.
- Diet:
- Resume eating once swallowing returns to normal, starting with light meals.
- Results:
- Preliminary findings may be discussed shortly after the procedure.
Biopsy results take several days; your doctor will schedule a follow-up to review them.
- Preliminary findings may be discussed shortly after the procedure.
- Therapeutic Interventions:
- If treatment was performed (e.g., polyp removal, dilation), additional instructions will be provided.
- Complications (Rare):
- Seek medical help if you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, chest pain, or vomiting blood.
- Note: EGD is a safe and routine procedure with high diagnostic accuracy. It is essential for managing and monitoring many gastrointestinal conditions. Always follow your doctor’s pre- and post-procedure instructions to ensure the best outcomes.
Eligibility
- An EGD may be recommended for patients with:
- Persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort.
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing (odynophagia).
- Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or weight loss.
- Signs of upper GI bleeding (e.g., vomiting blood, black stools).
- Chronic acid reflux or heartburn unresponsive to medication.
- Suspicion of celiac disease, ulcers, or tumors.
- History of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer requiring surveillance.
- Fasting:
- No food or drink (including water) for 6–8 hours before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach and reduce aspiration risk.
- Medication Adjustments:
- Discuss all medications with your doctor; you may need to temporarily stop blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel) or diabetes medications.
- Arrangements:
- Arrange for someone to drive you home afterward, as sedation impairs coordination and judgment.
- Health Disclosure:
- Inform your doctor of allergies, medical conditions, or previous reactions to sedation.
More from KIMSHEALTH
