Upper GI Endoscopy
Advanced Robotics and Laparoscopic Surgeons serving Roseville, Carmichael, Folsom, Grass Valley, Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas
An upper GI endoscopy provides a detailed view of your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may indicate the reason for your nausea, stomach pain, difficulty swallowing, or seemingly unending heartburn. The surgeons at Sierra Pacific Surgical serving Roseville, Carmichael, Folsom, Grass Valley, Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas, offer upper endoscopies to diagnose and sometimes treat issues affecting your esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of your small intestine (duodenum). You’ll also appreciate their down-to-earth, patient-friendly approach to skilled surgical care. Schedule an evaluation today by calling one of their Northern California offices or requesting an appointment online.
An upper endoscopy utilizes a high-definition camera attached to a small, flexible tube (endoscope) to capture detailed images of your esophagus, stomach, and part of the small intestine. The esophagus is the hollow muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
Advanced ultrasound imaging is sometimes combined with the endoscope to provide a clearer view of the esophagus, stomach wall, or hard-to-reach organs such as the pancreas.
A colonoscopy, on the other hand, examines the lining of the large intestine (colon). Both procedures require preparation, including withholding solid foods, certain medications, and liquids for several hours to days before the test. You can also expect to receive sedation with either study to help you relax.
Depending on your symptoms, your Sierra Pacific Surgical specialist may recommend having an upper GI and colonoscopy during the same visit for your convenience. Both tests are outpatient procedures performed in-office.
Your GI specialist at Sierra Pacific Surgical may recommend an upper endoscopy to diagnose and, via special tools passed through the endoscope, treat:
Although awkward, upper endoscopies are not painful, and most patients tolerate them well.
Your Sierra Pacific Surgical specialist provides prep instructions before the procedure, including cessation of aspirin and other medications that thin the blood.
If you have diabetes or another chronic illness, you may need to adjust your medications. However, always clarify these instructions with your provider before stopping any medication.
Before the procedure begins, your provider administers a sedative to help you relax and sprays your throat with a numbing agent. Then, monitoring the process via video supplied by the camera, the surgeon guides the endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Air pumped through the endoscope into the stomach and duodenum makes the organs easier to see. Polyps, irritated tissue, and other abnormalities are examined, biopsied, and treated as necessary. Your surgeon discusses the findings with you once the biopsy results come back from pathology.
Schedule a visit at Sierra Pacific Surgical today for more information about upper GI endoscopy. Call the office or request an appointment online.