Find out when our gastroenterologist may recommend undergoing this procedure.
An upper endoscopy is a common procedure that is performed by our Honolulu, HI, gastroenterologist Dr. Stephen Buto to diagnose and even treat certain conditions, injuries and problems that impact the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach and the upper part of the duodenum (aka the small intestines). If you are dealing with upper GI problems, you may find our team recommending an upper endoscopy. Here’s when this tool is often used,
It Can Determine the Cause of Symptoms
One reason our Honolulu, HI, gastroenterologist performs an upper endoscopy is so he can get a more up-close and detailed look at the digestive tract to pinpoint problem areas in a way that just can’t be detected through a physical examination or imaging tests alone. Our team may recommend an upper endoscopy if you come into our office presenting with,
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Upper abdominal pain that’s not cardiac related
- Bleeding
- Persistent vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
An Upper Endoscopy Can Diagnose Various Problems
The symptoms above typically don’t happen without reason. That’s why we want to take a look inside the digestive tract to look for these issues,
- Blockages or narrowing
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
- Benign or malignant tumors
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Infections
- Crohn’s disease
- Celiac disease
We Can Also Treat Some Digestive Problems with an Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is both a diagnostic and a treatment tool, which means that during your procedure, we may also be able to fix what’s causing your symptoms. This procedure may be used to,
- Open up narrowed or blocked areas
- Remove polyps and tumors
- Biopsy tissue to detect cancer or other problems
- Stop bleeding
- Collect fluids within the GI tract for further testing
- Remove anything that may have gotten stuck in the digestive tract
- Perform certain laser procedures
What to Expect
An upper endoscopy is performed right here in our practice under IV sedation. You will lie down, and we will administer a numbing spray to the back of the throat. Once the throat is numb, we will slide the endoscope, a thin, flexible tube, down the throat and into the stomach. A standard upper endoscopy takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes but may take longer depending on what we find or what we need to treat. Once complete, the endoscope will be removed, and you’ll be able to go home.
Dr. Buto and his Honolulu, HI, team have provided gastroenterology and hepatology care for individuals for over thirty years. If you’re dealing with symptoms that may benefit from an upper endoscopy, call (808) 524-7676 today to schedule a consultation.