Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Rowllet
Your
doctor performs an esophagogastroduodenoscopy Rowllet (EGD) to examine the
lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The esophagus is the muscular
tube that connects your throat to your stomach and the duodenum, which is the
upper part of your small intestine.
- severe, chronic heartburn
- vomiting blood
- black or tarry stools
- regurgitating food
- pain in your upper abdomen
- unexplained anemia
- persistent nausea or vomiting
- unexplained weight loss
- a feeling of fullness after eating less than usual
- a feeling that food is lodged behind your breastbone
- pain or difficulty swallowing
Your
doctor may also use this test to help see how effectively a treatment is going
or to track complications if you have:
- Crohn’s disease
- peptic ulcers
- cirrhosis
- swollen veins in your lower esophagus
Your
doctor will advise you to stop taking medications such as aspirin (Bufferin)
and other blood-thinning agents for several days before the EGD test Rowllet.
You
won’t be able to eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the test. People who
wear dentures will be asked to remove them for the test. As with all medical
tests, you’ll be asked to sign an informed consent form before undergoing the
procedure.
The
doctor then inserts an intravenous (IV) needle into your arm so that they may
give you medications throughout the test. You’ll be asked to lie on your left
side during the procedure.
Once
the sedatives have taken effect, the endoscope is inserted into your esophagus
and passed down into your stomach and the upper part of your small intestine.
Air is then passed through the endoscope so that your doctor can clearly see
the lining of your esophagus.
During
the examination, the doctor might take small tissue samples using the
endoscope. These samples can later be examined with a microscope to identify
any abnormalities in your cells. This process is called a biopsy.
Treatments
can sometimes be done during an EGD,
such as widening any abnormally narrow areas of your esophagus.
The
complete test lasts between 5 and 20 minutes.
A
nurse will observe you for about an hour following the test to make sure that
the anesthetic has worn off and you’re able to swallow without difficulty or
discomfort.
You
may feel slightly bloated. You may also have slight cramping or a sore throat.
These side effects are quite normal and should go away completely within 24
hours. Wait to eat or drink until you can swallow comfortably. Once you do
begin eating, start with a light snack.
You
should seek immediate medical attention if:
- your symptoms are worse than before the test
- you have difficulty swallowing
- you feel dizzy or faint
- you’re vomiting
- you have sharp pains in your abdomen
- you have blood in your stool
- you’re unable to eat or drink
- you’re urinating less than usual or not at all
Your
doctor will go over the results of the test with you. They may order more tests
before they give you a diagnosis or create a treatment plan.
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