Upper Endoscopy

Patients experiencing unexplained abdominal pain, weight loss, swallowing problems, acid reflux and other issues within the upper digestive tract may be candidates for upper endoscopy, which is a way for your doctor to see inside your esophagus and the first part of the gastrointestinal tract. This typically pain-free procedure can be done on an outpatient basis with the patient receiving a local anesthetic and mild sedative. Using a specially designed tool called an endoscope that is threaded down the throat and into the esophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine, your physician can detect conditions such as a hiatal hernia, Barrett’s esophagus, or an ulcer, bowel obstruction or suspicious growth. When needed, your physician can even remove abnormal growths for biopsy and address the condition that is present using special tools that are manipulated through the endoscope.