What Happens During an EGD (And Why Your Doctor May Recommend One)

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a procedure used to examine the lining of your upper digestive tract. While the name might sound complicated, the procedure is fairly straightforward. To get a better view of what’s causing your distress, a specialist introduces a thin, flexible tube with a small camera through your mouth and into your esophagus until it reaches the first part of your small intestine.

If you’ve been recommended this procedure, it is only natural to have some worries and want to learn more about it. To help you out, we asked our experts at Carolina Digestive Health Associates when an EGD is recommended, what happens during the procedure, and what the recovery looks like.

When an EGD is recommended

Abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, nausea, heartburn, unexplained weight loss, or gastrointestinal bleeding are some symptoms that may prompt an EGD, as they point to issues in your esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine.

Sometimes blood tests and imaging techniques are not enough to provide a diagnosis, but having a camera actually pointed at the tissues often solves this problem.

What to expect during the procedure

While it might sound a bit scary, having a thin tube introduced into your mouth is generally well tolerated because, during the procedure, you’ll be given an intravenous sedative to ensure you don’t feel discomfort. Many patients either fall asleep or are only mildly aware of what’s happening.

Once the sedative has relaxed you, the endoscope is lightly guided through your mouth, down to your esophagus. During this time, a medical provider looks at a monitor that shows what’s going on inside your body. Inflammation, ulcers, bleeding, or other tissue changes can be easily seen with a camera. Sometimes, a biopsy is also needed and can be performed using an endoscope.

The whole procedure lasts about half an hour. After the procedure, you will be asked to wait in the recovery area until the effects of the sedatives wear off.

Because the sedatives also impact your coordination and your ability to stay alert, you will need a ride home. You can have your first meal a couple of hours after the sedatives have worn off, as these medications temporarily impact your swallowing reflex.

Get your EGD with us

The procedure may sound uncomfortable, but in the right hands and with adequate care, the experience can be seamless. With the help of an EGD, many conditions can be accurately diagnosed early on, and complications can be prevented.

If you experience persistent symptoms and want to learn the root cause of them, contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our offices located in Belmont or Charlotte, North Carolina. Our experts will let you know if an EGD or another diagnostic tool is better suited for diagnosis.