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Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Why It Is Done
About this test
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy may be done to:
- Find problems in the upper gastrointestinal
(GI) tract. These problems can include:
- Inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or the stomach (gastritis).
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- A narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus.
- Enlarged and swollen veins in the esophagus or stomach (varices).
- Barrett's esophagus, a condition that increases the risk for developing esophageal cancer.
- Hiatal hernia.
- Ulcers.
- Cancer.
- Find the cause of vomiting blood (hematemesis).
- Find the cause of symptoms, such as upper abdominal pain or bloating, difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.
- Find the cause of an infection.
- Check the healing of stomach ulcers.
- Look at the inside of the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum) after surgery.
- Look for a blockage in the opening between the stomach and duodenum (gastric outlet obstruction).
Endoscopy may also be done to:
- Check for an esophageal injury in an emergency (for example, if the person has swallowed poison).
- Collect tissue samples (biopsy) for examination in the laboratory.
- Remove growths from inside the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine (gastrointestinal polyps).
- Treat upper gastrointestinal bleeding, including bleeding caused by engorged veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices).
- Remove foreign objects that have been swallowed.
- Look for bleeding that may be causing a decrease in the amount of oxygen-carrying substance (hemoglobin) found in red blood cells (anemia).
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 18, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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