Upper Endoscopy Los Angeles (EGD)

Are you experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, or severe indigestion? What about abdominal pain? Do you have a discomfort in your digestive tract that is preventing you from eating or breathing normally?

An endoscopy is the perfect procedure for assessing and diagnosing any ailments relating to the digestive system. In particular, an upper endoscopy can entail a deeper look into the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus to find out what’s going on. Dr. Siamak Tabib is a qualified and highly rated gastroenterologist in Los Angeles with the better health of your digestive tract at heart. If you are looking to schedule an endoscopy procedure, you can read more to find out exactly what the service entails.

What is Upper Endoscopy?

Upper endoscopy enables the doctor to look inside the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The procedure might be used to discover the reason for swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, bleeding, indigestion, abdominal pain or chest pain. Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

The doctor can see abnormalities, like inflammation or bleeding, through the endoscope that don’t show up well on x-rays. Instruments can also be inserted into the scope to treat bleeding abnormalities or remove samples of tissue (biopsy) for further tests.

Who is a Good Candidate for an Upper Endoscopy?

There are a wide variety of patients who may need an endoscopy, for a diversity of reasons. Candidates are typically those who are experiencing any adverse symptoms in the stomach, esophagus, or digestive tract.

An endoscopy can be performed to diagnose:

Who is NOT a Good Candidate for an Upper Endoscopy?

While most patients an easily qualify for an upper endoscopy, there are a few reasons why it may be unsafe for an individual to undergo such a procedure. Since the procedure does require sedation, those with allergies to medication or any existing or medical conditions may not be eligible for the procedure. Pregnancy may also deny candidacy for an upper endoscopy.

How Upper Endoscopies Work

Before the Procedure

Before the procedure itself begins, there is some preparation work that you’ll have to do at home. Since the endoscopy will be looking at the stomach and esophagus, it is required that these be empty before the procedure. This means that you can’t eat or drink anything for a while beforehand. Make sure to get plenty of rest the night before your procedure as well.

As mentioned before, upper endoscopies require sedation. This means that Dr. Tabib will give you the necessary medications needed to sedate you. As soon as you have properly fallen under the effects of sedation, you are ready for the procedure.

During the Procedure

Fortunately, an upper endoscopy procedure only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Dr. Tabib will insert a thin tube (the endoscope) into your mouth, where it will go all the way down into your intestinal tract. The endoscope is used as a sort of camera that transmits 3D images to a monitor screen.

Using this method, Dr. Tabib will be able to examine your stomach, esophagus, and duodenum, which is the upper part of the upper intestines. He will take a look at the lining of the stomach, the folds of tissue, and other parts of the organs as well. In particular, he will be looking for inflammation, bleeding, or tears. In some cases, he may even want to perform a biopsy by taking some tissue samples from the stomach. This is only in cases of severe bleeding or inflammation, however.

After the Procedure

After the endoscopy procedure is complete, you will need to remain resting at the endoscopy center until the effects of sedation wear off. For you, this will be a nice time to relax and take it slow. Once the medicine has worn off, you are cleared to go home. Dr. Tabib may give you additional instructions on a case-by-case basis.

Remember to never drive yourself to or from your appointment – it’s illegal to drive when you had sedation done! Bring a friend or family member to assist you to ensure your best safety and comfort.

Gastroenterologist in Los Angeles

Are you experiencing pain or irritations in your upper intestines? Are you having problems digesting food, or do you feel nauseous? If so, you may be a good candidate for an upper endoscopy from a gastroenterologist in Lost Angeles. Dr. Tabib and our professional staff members are happy to assist you at your earliest convenience. You can visit our website for more information, and give us a call at (310) 652-4472 to set an appointment.