Patient FAQs

Do you have questions about this procedure? See our answers below to common concerns.

My doctor recommended I have an EGG but I don't know what that is?

The EGG or electrogastrogram is a simple noninvasive, painless test that is very similar to an electrocardiogram/EKG. The electrocardiogram is measuring the electrical activity of your heart while the electrogastrogram measures the electrical activity of your stomach and intestinal tract.

This will help your doctors better understand your disease and find the best treatment that can control and sometimes even cure the problems you are having. Think of it like the tri-corder that you see on Star Trek except you will not need to wait until futuristic space travel to have it done.

What the test is doing is looking inside of your body to see if the pacemaker cells known as the Interstitial cells of Cajal or ICCs are working and healthy.

Do you have any information on how this test has helped others?

There have been many documented advantages of using EGG to help diagnose and treat illness as well as avoid operative and post-operative complications.

This technology has enabled doctors to be able to cure Gastroparesis depending on the subtype of the disease detected.

Recent studies have even suggested it will do the same for Dyspepsia. Equally important is the ability to recognize the potential for complications before surgery and select the best surgical approach for the patient.

I'm having an electrogastrography test, how is it done?

You will need to come into the clinic for the test after fasting for eight hours. While you are in a comfortable reclining position, the technician will place a flexible belt across your upper chest, and three electrode pads on your upper abdomen.

You will then be asked to hold still for 10 minutes during which time a baseline recording is obtained. At this point, you will then be asked to drink water until you feel full. You will have five minutes to drink the water.

Then for the remainder of the test you will sit still in the reclining position for an additional 30 minutes. There is no discomfort or danger associated with this test.

What will the EGG tell my doctor and how will it help me?

The answer to this question depends on the reason your doctor has recommended the EGG. Generally, the test is being done to help your doctor subtype the electrical energy of your gastrointestinal system in order to know if your Interstitial cells of Cajal or ICCs are present and working properly. This will help your physician to select the best treatment for you.

What if I am suffering from GERD?

Gastro esophageal reflux disease is generally driven by gastric motility problems. If you have a subtype motility disorder that is known as antro-pyloric dysfunction, fixing this underlying condition could eliminate or control your reflux symptoms permanently.
Conversely, in some people it may be that the GERD is causing the gastric motility problem. If this is the case, then correcting the reflux will fix the gastric motility issue. Only EGG can determine which type of disease you have and help personalize your therapy.

I am planning on having a gastric sleeve for Obesity. Why is EGG important for me?

It is essential to be certain that your gastric motility is normal before your surgery because the surgery will significantly affect the dynamics of your stomach function. In up to 40% of those having sleeve surgery, uncontrollable reflux will develop after the surgery. This is because of an unrecognized problem known as pyloric dysfunction. Pyloric dysfunction may also cause leakage of the suture/staple line and/or gas bloat syndrome. EGG is the only test that can detect this condition. If it is detected prior to surgery, a simple endoscopic balloon dilation can correct the problem and may prevent these complications of sleeve surgery.

I am planning on having a corrective procedure for GERD. Why is EGG important for me?

It is essential to be certain that your gastric motility is normal before your reflux correction procedure because the reflux may be caused by a gastric motility disorder known as antro-pyloric dysfunction. Up to 40-45% of those with chronic reflux have an underlying gastric motility disorder known as Gastroparesis, and in 25% of these cases pyloric dysfunction is the culprit. If unrecognized prior to the corrective reflux procedure, there is a risk of gas bloat syndrome developing after the procedure. Pyloric dysfunction may also cause primary failure of the anti-reflux procedure or the development of another type of reflux known as LPR. EGG is the only test that can detect this condition. If it is detected prior to surgery, a simple endoscopic balloon dilation can correct the problem and may prevent these complications and insure a better outcome.

I have been told that I have Gastroparesis and/or Functional Dyspepsia. Why should I have an EGG?

These two illnesses are the same, but just different ends of the spectrum of disease. Both are caused by a) either a loss or dysfunction of pacemaker cells known as Interstitial cells of Cajal or ICCs, or b) a dysfunction of the antrum or pylorus of the stomach. Traditionally treatments for these diseases have been poor and unreliable, because until EGG was developed, it was not possible to understand the cause of the disease. The benefit of the EGG is that the test looks inside of your body to see if the pacemaker cells known as ICCs are working and healthy. Then the doctor can divide the illness into subtypes using the EGG results. Once the subtype is determined then the physician will understand the underlying cause of the disease and select the ideal treatment for you to either control or cure your illness. This is known as personalized medicine.