When your symptoms suggest problems in your esophagus or stomach, you may need an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. The specialists at Triborough GI have extensive experience performing endoscopies which allow them to diagnose and immediately treat many GI conditions. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the office location that’s most convenient for you: Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Staten Island, New York.
An endoscopy is a procedure your doctor at Triborough GI performs to closely examine and treat your upper GI tract, which includes your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper part of the small intestine).
Your procedure is done using a medical device called an endoscope, which is a narrow, flexible tube containing lighting and a tiny video camera. As your doctor gently advances the scope through your mouth and into your digestive tract, the camera sends magnified images to a screen. This allows your doctor to see inflammation, growths, and other problems in the GI tract’s lining.
During an endoscopy, your doctor treats problems by inserting specialized surgical tools through the scope. For example, your doctor may take a biopsy, remove tumors, stop bleeding, or open a blocked esophagus.
Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to diagnose the underlying cause of symptoms such as:
A few of the most common conditions diagnosed during an endoscopy include:
Crohn’s disease affecting the upper GI tract can also be detected during an endoscopy.
Your GI tract must be empty for your doctor to get a good view of the tissues, so you shouldn’t eat for eight hours before your procedure. You’ll also need to stop taking some medications prior to your endoscopy. However, you’ll receive detailed instructions when your procedure is scheduled.
You’ll receive intravenous sedation to help you relax, and your doctor applies numbing medication to the back of your throat, but you’ll be awake during the procedure. You may feel pressure as the scope travels through your GI tract. Most patients, however, are comfortable throughout the process.
An upper GI endoscopy takes 20 minutes or less, depending on whether any treatments are performed. After staying in recovery for a short time, you’ll be able to go home and relax for the rest of the day.