How does an upper gi work

Then you'll take small swallows repeatedly during the series of X-rays that follow. The doctor watches the barium pass through your GI tract using fluoroscopy and X-ray pictures. The table is tilted at different positions, and you may change positions to help spread the barium. You may be given a laxative or enema to flush the barium out of your intestines after the test to prevent constipation.

You will probably be able to go home right away. Results of the test are usually ready in 1 to 3 days. You can go back to your usual activities right away. You may eat and drink whatever you like, unless your doctor tells you not to. It's a good idea to drink a lot of fluids for a few days to flush out the barium. For 1 to 3 days after the test, your stool feces will look white from the barium. If the barium stays in your intestine, it can harden and cause a blockage.

If you get constipated, you may need to use a laxative to pass a stool. In some cases, you may be asked to come back after 24 hours to have more X-rays taken. Call your doctor Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have severe belly pain. You have a fever. Don't make any important personal or financial decisions for 24 hours. During an upper endoscopy procedure, you'll be asked to lie down on a table on your back or on your side.

As the procedure gets underway:. You can't talk after the endoscope passes down your throat, though you can make noises. The endoscope doesn't interfere with your breathing. When your doctor has finished the exam, the endoscope is slowly retracted through your mouth. An endoscopy typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your situation. You'll be taken to a recovery area to sit or lie quietly after your endoscopy. You may stay for an hour or so. This allows your health care team to monitor you as the sedative begins to wear off.

Once you're at home, you may experience some mildly uncomfortable signs and symptoms after endoscopy, such as:. These signs and symptoms will improve with time. If you're concerned or quite uncomfortable, call your doctor.

Take it easy for the rest of the day after your endoscopy. After receiving a sedative, you may feel alert, but your reaction times are affected and judgment is delayed. When you receive the results of your endoscopy will depend on your situation.

If, for instance, your doctor performed the endoscopy to look for an ulcer, you may learn the findings right after your procedure. If he or she collected a tissue sample biopsy , you may need to wait a few days to get results from the testing laboratory. Upper GI endoscopy is considered a safe procedure. The risks of complications from an upper GI endoscopy are low, but may include.

Bleeding caused by the procedure often is minor and stops without treatment. Serious complications such as perforation are uncommon. Your doctor may need to perform surgery to treat some complications. Your doctor can also treat an abnormal reaction to a sedative with medicines or IV fluids during or after the procedure. If you have any of the following symptoms after an upper GI endoscopy, seek medical care right away:.

The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Does upper GI endoscopy have another name? Why do doctors use upper GI endoscopy?

How do I prepare for an upper GI endoscopy? How do doctors perform an upper GI endoscopy? Constipation or fecal impaction may occur if the barium isn't completely eliminated from the body.

Severe swallowing difficulty such that aspiration entry of substances into the lungs of barium is likely. There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.

Notify the radiologist if you have had a recent barium X-ray or cholangiography procedure, as this may interfere with obtaining an optimal X-ray exposure of the upper GI series. A locker will be provided to secure your personal belongings. Please remove all piercings and leave all jewelry and valuables at home. An upper GI series may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. You'll be asked to remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

You will be positioned on an X-ray table that can tilt you from a horizontal to an upright position. You may be asked to change positions for example, lying on your side, back, or stomach at intervals during the procedure. The radiologist will ask you to take a swallow of a thickened contrast drink. The contrast is usually flavored, although it may not be very pleasant tasting.

As you swallow the contrast, the radiologist will take single pictures, a series of X-rays, or a video fluoroscopy to observe the contrast moving through the pharynx.

If you're having a procedure with barium, you'll be given a thinner barium drink to swallow. You may also be asked to swallow a barium tablet, which can help to visualize certain structural problems of the esophagus. The radiologist may press on your abdomen during the examination to help visualize the stomach and aid in coating of the stomach wall.

If you're having a double contrast study, you may be asked to swallow a powder, tablet, or carbonated beverage. Alternately, you may be asked to drink the barium through a perforated straw. Because the gas that's produced will expand and enhance the visualization of the inner surface of the upper GI organs, it will be important not to burp.