Upper Endoscopy
SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT | NO REFERRAL NEEDED
What Is An Upper Endoscopy?
An upper endoscopy helps your Charleston GI doctor evaluate the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, giving them a unique view that is used to diagnose the following:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Acid reflux
- Bleeding
- Indigestion
- Chest pain
How to Prep For An Upper Endoscopy
Your Charleston GI Endoscopy Center nurse or doctor will provide you with preparation instructions before the procedure. Generally, we advise patients not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. This ensures their stomach is empty for the procedure.
With a higher standard of caring as our goal at Charleston GI, our team is here to make you feel at ease – and answer any pre-procedure questions you may have!
What To Expect During Your Procedure
To make you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible, general anesthesia will be administered before the procedure begins. In addition, a local anesthetic (in the form of a spray) may be used to numb your throat.
Next, you will be positioned on your side and your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth. It will travel through your esophagus, stomach and duodenum – without disrupting your breathing. Instruments can be inserted into the scope to collect a tissue sample if a polyp or abnormality is discovered. This sample is then sent to the lab to be tested.
While your entire visit will last an hour or two, the procedure itself typically only takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
After Your Procedure
Because the procedure involves general anesthesia, we require all patients to designate someone to drive them home. You may experience some throat soreness once the medication wears off. You may also experience bloating from the air introduced into your stomach during the procedure. Unless otherwise instructed, you will be allowed to eat after you leave our Charleston Endoscopy Center.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
We would love to hear from you! To learn more about upper endoscopy in Charleston, SC, you can schedule an appointment or please give us a call at 843-722-8000 today! No referral needed!
