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If you’re suffering from issues in the GI tract, the team at Akron Digestive Disease Consultants in Akron, OH can provide an upper endoscopy to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Diseases and Conditions an Upper Endoscopy Can Detect

Hearing you need a “procedure” can always seem scary, but many – like an upper endoscopy – are minimally invasive and nothing to be concerned with. The Akron Digestive Disease Consultants team in Akron, OH shares exactly what this procedure is and what it can help detect below.

What Is An Upper Endoscopy, and Why Would I Need One?

An upper endoscopy is a procedure that utilizes a flexible tube with a camera. The tube is inserted through the mouth and travels down to get a close look at the GI tract to help gastroenterologists detect and diagnose a variety of conditions and diseases.

There are many reasons an endoscopy might be recommended, but they are commonly used to determine the cause of stomach pain, vomiting, bleeding in the stomach, and difficulty swallowing. The procedure can help diagnose the following diseases or conditions and more.

Ulcers

Stomach acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and the h. pylori infection can eat away at the tissue lining of the upper GI tract and cause inflammation. This can lead to open sores known as ulcers, which cause nausea, bloating, vomiting, burning sensations in the stomach, and more.

GERD

One very common issue that an endoscopy can detect is GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD refers to a condition in which stomach acid comes back up into the esophagus due to the LES muscle not closing properly. This leads to heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and other symptoms. It can also lead to a disease called Barrett’s esophagus, which can also be detected through an endoscopy.

Esophageal Strictures

If you have difficulty swallowing, your gastroenterologist will likely recommend an endoscopy to check for an esophageal stricture. This is a condition in which something has narrowed the esophagus and is blocking food or liquids from passing properly to the stomach. GERD is often at the root of this, but it might also be due to stuck food or another issue.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition that impacts the lining of the small intestine. It’s a chronic condition caused by an immune response to eating gluten.

Pancreatitis

An endoscopy can also help detect pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. The endoscopy typically involves using an ultrasound transducer to provide a clear image of the pancreas.

If you’re living with digestive issues, schedule an upper endoscopy at Akron Digestive Disease Consultants in Akron, OH by calling (330) 869-0124 today.