Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in Ocean Springs, MS
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Find a ProviderWhat is an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a gastrointestinal exam in which a long, slender, flexible tube, or “scope,” is put into a patient’s mouth and advanced to the beginning of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. The scope has a light and camera on the end, which allows our GI specialists at Digestive Health Center to treat the lining of the esophagus, belly, and the start of the small intestine more easily.
An EGD may be implemented to diagnose the cause of gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, heartburn or acid reflux, complications with swallowing, bleeding, or irregular findings from an x-ray. An EGD may also be performed for Ocean Springs, MS patients with persistent heartburn symptoms to search for changes that could indicate esophageal cancer. If you require an EGD, please request a consultation with a GI provider at a Digestive Health Center near you.
What are the benefits of an EGD?
An EGD may be advantageous for a variety of reasons. It can allow your GI provider to examine the inner lining of your esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine (called the duodenum). Additional benefits of an EGD include:
- Typically provides a safe, quick, and efficient process
- Aids in detecting several GI conditions (such as GI infections, celiac disease, GERD, Crohn's disease, and others)
- May help discern the causes of certain symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and pain
- Allows for polyp removal, tissue biopsies, and other small procedures
What happens the day before my esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
You will receive pre-op instructions from your provider explaining the essential preparation for an EGD. Many patients will be allowed to eat as usual the day before the esophagogastroduodenoscopy. We may ask you not to eat or drink after midnight except for necessary medications. It is vital that you follow the instructions from your provider at Digestive Health Center. There may also be instructions regarding the medicines you take. Typically, you won't need to change your medication regimen. However, in certain circumstances, particularly with those who take blood thinners (i.e., aspirin, warfarin, Coumadin®, Plavix®, anti-inflammatories) or if you are diabetic, alternate instructions may be provided.
What should I expect on the day of my EGD?
You will be asked to arrive for your EGD in Ocean Springs, MS 1 – 1.5 hours prior to your exam. You will then be asked to change into a medical gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be put in your arm or alternate area so we can begin the sedation process. You will be connected to equipment that helps your GI specialist monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and more during and after your treatment.
Once you are in one of our comfortable exam rooms, we’ll have you lie on your left side on the examination table. Sedation will then be started. Once an adequate level of sedation is achieved, the endoscope will be gently inserted into the mouth. The scope will be gently advanced through the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A small amount of air will be injected through the scope into the GI tract to aid in visualization. Any fluid remaining in the upper gastrointestinal tract will be removed through the scope. Based on the results of your exam, several things could be implemented, including the removal of polyps, biopsies, and the control of bleeding. You can expect the exam to take between 10 – 20 minutes. After your exam, we will take you to one of our private recovery rooms so we can monitor you while the sedation wears off.
When can I expect my exam results?
After the exam, your provider will review the exam results with you. Due to the intravenous sedation, many patients don’t remember this conversation following their exam. We recommend you bring a family member with whom the results can also be discussed. You will also go home with a typed-up report. In most cases, we will have biopsy results within a week.
Are there any risks with an EGD?
Generally, an EGD is a safe and reliable procedure. Overall, complications develop in fewer than 1% of cases. Typically, these problems are not life-threatening; however, if a complication does arise, it may result in hospitalization and surgery. Before beginning your EGD, the nursing staff will share a consent form with you. Should you have any questions or concerns, you can discuss them with your GI specialist before your procedure.
As with other tests, the esophagogastroduodenoscopy is not perfect. You can expect a slight, accepted possibility that abnormalities, such as cancers, can be missed at the time of the EGD. It’s important to continue following up with our GI provider and informing them about any new or persistent problems.
What are the alternatives to an EGD?
Generally, your alternatives to the exam will revolve around the reason for requesting an EGD in the first place. Typically, an EGD is the standard method to test for and treat any abnormalities in your upper GI tract. However, a special x-ray called an upper GI/barium swallow can also check your upper GI tract. This is, however, only a diagnostic exam. Treating these findings might necessitate an esophagogastroduodenoscopy or other surgery.
Treat symptoms with an EGD
If you or someone you know has been experiencing troubling symptoms, such as consistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or intestinal discomfort, you could gain insight from a diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy. You can find a GI provider who performs an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Ocean Springs, MS by contacting our team. Call Digestive Health Center at your earliest convenience to request an appointment at a location near you.
EGD FAQs
Are an EGD and upper endoscopy the same procedure?
An EGD may be referred to by a few different names. At times, it may be called a "gastroscopy" or an "upper endoscopy." Though these names may be different, they are typically the same thing as an EGD.
What are regarded as "normal" results for an EGD?
Normal results for an EGD typically indicate that your GI provider did not see any abnormalities in the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, normal results might be represented by a normal color and smooth texture in the esophageal, stomach, and duodenal areas. Additionally, there shouldn't be any signs of bleeding, growths, or inflammation in these areas. It is vital to understand that a "normal" EGD result doesn't always rule out all health conditions. Some medical concerns may not be detectable during this type of test or may be located in another portion of the digestive tract, beyond the field of the endoscope device used to conduct the process.
For what reasons would an EGD be requested?
Your Digestive Health Center gastroenterologist may recommend an EGD procedure if you have liver cirrhosis or Crohn's disease to help keep track of these health conditions. Additionally, an EGD could be ordered should you experience:
- Black or tarry stools
- Vomiting of blood
- Heartburn
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Issues with swallowing
- Unintentional loss of weight
- Frequent nausea
What should I bring to my EGD visit?
When you come in for your esophagogastroduodenoscopy test, you might be asked to complete a few patient forms. As such, it is important to bring your insurance card and ID with you. It may be a good idea to carry a list of any nonprescription and prescription medications you might take, their dosages, and the reason for taking them. We encourage you to leave jewelry and other types of valuables at home.
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