Upper Endoscopy Specialist
Digestive Disease Clinic, LLC
Charles A. Obioha, MD
Gastroenterologist Located in Rockville, MD
When you have symptoms like chronic abdominal pain or acid reflux, Dr. Charles Obioha provides upper endoscopy procedures to examine your upper gastrointestinal tract. He offers upper endoscopy procedures at the Digestive Disease Clinic, LLC offices in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Bowie, Maryland. You can count on Dr. Obioha for thorough diagnostic services to identify the cause of your gastrointestinal pain. Call the practice to schedule an appointment today to learn more.
Upper Endoscopy Q & A
What is an upper endoscopy?
An upper endoscopy is a procedure used to examine the inside of your upper gastrointestinal tract, including your esophagus, stomach, and a part of your small intestine called the duodenum.
Dr. Obioha uses an endoscope during the procedure, which is a thin surgical tube with a light and camera on the tip.
He inserts the tube through your mouth and throat into your esophagus and stomach, and the camera sends images to a video monitor in the treatment room. Dr. Obioha examines the images for signs of abnormal tissue, growths, or other issues that could be causing your symptoms.
Why would I need an upper endoscopy?
Dr. Obioha uses upper endoscopy procedures to investigate and diagnose the cause of your symptoms. When necessary, he can also treat problems like removing polyps or cauterizing a bleeding vessel during your upper endoscopy.
Some of the reasons you might need an upper endoscopy include:
- Abdominal pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications like antacids or acid reduction medications
- Unexplained anemia
- Unexplained bleeding
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
- Chronic acid reflux symptoms that don’t respond to medication
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Dr. Obioha for diagnosis and effective medical treatment.
How should I prepare for an upper endoscopy?
You’ll receive preparation instructions from the team at Digestive Disease Clinic, LLC. In general, you’ll need to fast for several hours before your procedure to ensure your stomach is empty for the procedure. Make sure Dr. Obioha knows about every medication you take as you may need to adjust your usual dose for the upper endoscopy procedure.
What should I expect during an upper endoscopy?
In most cases, an anesthesia representative provides medicine before you begin your endoscopy procedure to ensure you stay relaxed throughout the treatment. They may also use a topical anesthetic spray to numb your throat.
During the procedure, you lie on your back or side, and Dr. Obioha inserts the endoscope into your mouth and feeds it through your throat. You may feel some pressure, but an upper endoscopy isn’t painful, and it won’t interfere with your breathing. Dr. Obioha may inflate your esophagus and stomach with gas to allow the endoscope to move freely and provide clear pictures of the region.
Dr. Obioha examines your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. He may take tissue samples to check for cancer or other abnormalities or perform other procedures like polyp removal. When your procedure is complete, he removes the endoscope. You’re taken to a recovery area to relax while your sedation wears off and you expel any gas used to expand your esophagus or stomach.
If you have gastrointestinal symptoms that don’t get better with over-the-counter treatments or dietary adjustments, call Digestive Disease Clinic, LLC to make an appointment online for expert diagnosis and care.
