The complete 2026 guide to
Upper endoscopy (EGD) lets your doctor look directly at the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine to find the cause of reflux, pain or swallowing trouble.
During an EGD, a gastroenterologist passes a thin scope through the mouth to examine the upper digestive tract, take biopsies, and treat problems like bleeding or narrowing. It is commonly used to evaluate persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, unexplained nausea, suspected ulcers and Barrett's esophagus. In the Sarasota area it is usually an outpatient procedure done under light sedation, often the same day as a colonoscopy.
Visual exam with optional biopsies to evaluate reflux, ulcers, H. pylori or swallowing symptoms.
Stretching of a narrowed esophagus (stricture) to relieve swallowing difficulty.
Periodic monitoring of Barrett's esophagus to watch for precancerous change.
A Florida medical license lets a physician practice, but board certification is the signal that a doctor completed accredited residency training and passed rigorous exams in their specialty. Look for certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board that matches the care you need — and verify it yourself.
Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.
American College of Gastroenterology ↗American Gastroenterological Association ↗Choose a board-certified doctor — and verify it yourself:
ABMS — Certification Matters ↗ Look up any U.S. physician’s board certification across all 24 ABMS member specialty boards. Florida DOH — License Verification ↗ Confirm an active Florida license and review any disciplinary history. NPI Registry (CMS) ↗ Verify a provider’s national identifier and registered specialty taxonomy. Medicare Care Compare ↗ Compare clinicians, hospitals and facilities on quality measures.