When Is An EGD Needed?

If you’re experiencing digestive issues, Dr. Kevin Marks at Premier Gastroenterology in Katy, TX can perform an EGD and other procedures to help diagnose and treat your condition.

Guide to EGDs: What They Are and Why They Are Used 

An EGD is a procedure that gastroenterologists use to examine your upper GI tract. EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. However, it’s more commonly referred to as an upper endoscopy. What exactly occurs during this procedure and why is it needed? Dr. Marks and the team at Premier Gastroenterology in Katy, TX answer those questions and more in this guide.

What Happens During an Upper Endoscopy? 

An EGD is typically a fast and very simple procedure. You will be sedated through an IV, so you likely won’t remember anything about it. Your vital signs will be monitored the entire time.

Once sedated, your doctor will gently push a flexible, thin tube called an endoscope through the mouth and down the esophagus. The endoscope has a tiny camera that allows the doctor to view this passageway.

In some cases, a tool will be passed through the endoscope to complete a biopsy or to carry out other actions. Once the esophagus has been examined, the tube will continue down through to the small intestine for examination. Once completed, the tube will be taken out gently.

Why Would I Need an EGD? 

An upper endoscopy can be used to diagnose and address a variety of concerns, so there is no one answer to this question. However, gastroenterologists often recommend one if you have any of the following:

• Chronic or unexplained abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Chronic heartburn
• History of polyps
• Family history of conditions like colon cancer
• Bowel changes, like constipation and diarrhea
• Unexplained or persistent vomiting, especially with blood present
• Unexplained weight loss
• Trouble swallowing

EGDs allow a gastroenterologist to safely diagnose conditions such as:

• GERD
• Tumors
• Ulcers
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Gastritis
• Esophagitis
• Swallowing disorders and more

During the procedure, the doctor can remove polyps, foreign objects, and tumors, as well as stretch narrowed passageways, and address bleeding in the digestive tract.

If you’d like to learn more or schedule your EGD, call (281) 392-0425 to make an appointment with Dr. Marks at Premier Gastroenterology in Katy, TX.