EGD in Illinois
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Find a ProviderWhat is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a gastrointestinal procedure where a long, skinny, soft tube, or “scope,” is placed in the patient’s mouth and advanced to the small intestine. The scope includes a light and camera at the end, which helps our GI specialists at GI Alliance of Illinois to effortlessly review the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine.
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy may typically be used as a way to discover the reason for GI symptoms, like abdominal pain, heartburn and/or acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, bleeding, or irregular findings from an x-ray. We may also perform an EGD for Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, or Bloomington, IL, patients who have chronic heartburn to look for changes that could be an indication of esophageal cancer. If are experiencing any of the above symptoms and think you might need an EGD, request a consultation with a gastrointestinal provider at a GI Alliance of Illinois location near you.
What happens the day before my EGD?
You will receive guidelines from your GI Alliance of Illinois provider explaining the required preparations for an EGD. Many patients are allowed to eat normally the day before the EGD. You may be asked to not eat or drink after midnight other than taking necessary medications. It is very important that you follow the instructions given to you by your GI Alliance of Illinois provider. You may also be provided with more instructions about your medications. In most cases, your medications will be continued as normal. This may not be true of all medications, particularly if you take blood thinners (i.e., Coumadin®, warfarin, Plavix®, aspirin, anti-inflammatories) or if you have diabetes. In these cases, your provider will give you specialized instructions specific to your needs.
What can I expect on the day of my EGD?
We will ask you to get to the endoscopy center in Illinois, 1 – 1.5 hours before your procedure. You’ll need to change into a procedure gown. An IV will be put in your arm so we can administer sedation medication. You will be connected to equipment that will allow us to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, breathing, and oxygen level during the EGD.
Once you are settled into one of our comfortable exam rooms, we’ll have you lay on your left side on the exam table. Sedation will then be started. From there, we’ll gently insert the endoscope into your mouth. The endoscope will be carefully snaked through your esophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine. Injecting a small amount of air through the scope into the GI tract will help the provider to see during the procedure. Any fluid left over in the upper GI tract will be removed through the scope. Depending on the results of your exam, several things can be done, including the removal of polyps, biopsies, and the control of bleeding. Depending on the findings, the exam takes approximately 10 – 20 minutes. Following your exam, you will be taken to one of our private recovery rooms so we can monitor you while the sedation begins to wear off.
When will I get my test results?
After your exam, your GI Alliance of Illinois provider will review the findings of the procedure with you. Many patients won’t remember what they were told later on because they have a foggy brain due to the intravenous (IV) sedation. We recommend you bring a friend or family member with you to this discussion. We can also give you a printed review of what we discussed. In most situations, we’ll provide you with biopsy results in about a week.
Does an EGD carry any risks?
Typically, an EGD in Illinois, is very safe. Generally, problems develop in less than 1 percent of procedures. Most problems are not life or death; although if a complication arises, it may result in hospitalization and surgery. Prior to the exam, a consent form will be reviewed with you by our providers. Should you have any questions or concerns, these can be discussed with your provider ahead of your procedure.
Such as any other test, an EGD is not perfect. You can expect that there is a small, known possibility that abnormalities, like cancers, might be unnoticed at the time of your exam. It is important to continue to follow up with your provider and inform them of any new or persistent symptoms.
Are there other choices to an esophagogastroduodenoscopy?
Generally, alternatives to the exam will revolve around the need for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the first place. Typically, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the best method to find and diagnose any suspicious findings in the upper GI tract. However, an x-ray called an upper GI/barium swallow can assess your upper GI tract as well. This is, keep in mind, just a diagnosis. The treatment of any abnormalities might require an EGD or other surgery.
Diagnostic EGD to treat symptoms
If you or a family member is complaining of troubling issues, such as consistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or intestinal aches, you could gain insight from a diagnostic EGD exam. You can find a GI specialist who offers an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Illinois at a location near you by calling GI Alliance of Illinois today to schedule your EGD.
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