What is an Upper Endoscopy?

Understanding Upper Endoscopies (EGD)

When suffering from symptoms affecting the GI tract, it's common for a doctor to request an upper endoscopy. The health experts at St. John's Health are here to outline what this procedure is and what you can expect.

What is an EGD?

While X-rays and ultrasounds can be helpful diagnostic tools when it comes to determining the root cause of gastrointestinal health issues, they aren’t always accurate. An upper endoscopy (EGD) is a diagnostic procedure that is done to inspect a patient’s upper digestive tract more thoroughly.

During this procedure, your doctor will use a thin, flexible device called an endoscope, which has a small camera attached to the end. The endoscope is inserted into the esophagus and into the upper GI tract, where the doctor will check for abnormalities and causes for concern.

What Can an EGD Help Diagnose?

Although there are many reasons your doctor may order an upper endoscopy, some of the most common symptoms that may lead your doctor to perform this diagnostic procedure:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acid reflux (heartburn)
• Stomach bleeding
• Trouble swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss

An EDG can help your health care team to effectively diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting your upper gastrointestinal tract, including:

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Ulcers
• Cancerous and noncancerous growths
• Swallowing disorders
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease

Robotic Surgery in Jackson, Wilson, and Teton County

At St. John's Health, we are dedicated to providing ever-advancing individualized care. Our highly skilled surgeons use state-of-the-art robotics to assist with various surgeries in Jackson, WY. Robotics allows surgeons to be more precise, and carry out minimally invasive procedures that help patients to feel better, faster.

Some of the available robotic-assisted surgeries available at St. John's Health include:

• Colorectal
• Bariatric Surgery
• Gallbladder Surgery
• Inguinal Hernia
• Ventral Hernia
• Endometriosis Resection
• Benign Hysterectomy
• Kidney Surgery
• Prostate Surgery

Talk to your surgical care team today to discuss your robot-assisted surgery options at St. John's Health.