Upper GI Endoscopy

Doctors use upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to diagnose and treat symptoms and conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine or duodenum.

✓ Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can help find the cause of unexplained symptoms such as:-

• Pain
• Persistent heartburn
• Bleeding
• Problems during swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea and Vomiting

✓ It can be used to track out many different diseases like:-

• Ulcers
• Cancer
• Inflammation or swelling
• Precancerous abnormalities such as Barrett's esophagus
• Celiac disease
• Strictures or narrowing of the esophagus
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Blockages
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can detect damage after a person has eaten or drunk harmful chemicals.

✓ During an upper GI endoscopy, a doctor obtains biopsies by passing an instrument through the endoscope to obtain a small sample of tissue for analysis. Biopsies are required to diagnose conditions such as:-

• Celiac disease
• Cancer
• Gastritis

✓ Doctors also use upper gastrointestinal endoscopy:-

• To treat conditions such as bleeding from ulcers, esophageal varices, or other conditions
• Dilate or open strictures with a small balloon passed through the endoscope
• Remove objects, including food, that could get stuck in the upper gastrointestinal tract
• Remove polyps or other growths
• Placing feeding tubes or drainage tubes

Doctors are also beginning to use upper GI endoscopy to perform weight-loss procedures in some people with obesity.