An upper endoscopy offers your physician a high-definition view of your upper digestive system. The specialists at Chicago Surgical Clinic in Arlington Heights, Illinois, are well-known for their upper endoscopy skills. These talented surgeons also use the most advanced technology available for performing an upper endoscopy, which is often critical in accurately diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your digestive and overall health. Schedule your endoscopy with the top-rated experts at Chicago Surgical Clinic online or by phone today.
The upper endoscopy can be used to identify conditions causing nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, and a variety of other symptoms related to your upper digestive system. This includes your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach, the stomach itself, and the uppermost portion of the small intestine, the duodenum.
Also known as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the upper endoscopy can also be used to obtain tissue samples, called biopsies, and/or treat issues affecting your digestive health, such as snipping off polyps or removing foreign objects.
Your physician at Chicago Surgical Clinic may request an upper endoscopy to identify:
Your surgeon may also obtain a tissue sample during an upper endoscopy to check for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This bacterial infection is a common cause of peptic ulcers and persistent gastritis. It also increases your risk of developing certain types of stomach cancer.
The upper endoscopy is an extremely safe and essentially painless study. Your Chicago Surgical Clinic specialist provides detailed information before scheduling the study.
You will be sedated for the study, during which your surgeon slides a thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera attached called an endoscope down your throat and through your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
The images from the camera are transmitted to a computer monitor, which your doctor monitors carefully. When necessary, small instruments are inserted via the endoscope as well, which are used to obtain tissue samples, remove small polyps, or perform other treatments. Your throat may feel a little sore afterward, but these symptoms are generally well tolerated and resolve quickly.
For an accurate diagnosis and expert care regarding conditions affecting your upper digestive health, schedule a visit at Chicago Surgical Clinic online or by phone today.
