The full form of UG in medical term is Upper Gastrointestinal.
The mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine are commonly referred to as the upper GI tract (duodenum). The small intestine, big intestine (colon), and anus comprise the lower GI tract.
Your food is digested in the upper GI tract so that nutrients can be processed and utilized throughout the body. Burping, difficulty swallowing, acid reflux, heartburn, upset stomach, and abdominal pain are all signs of upper GI tract issues.
Saliva starts the digestive process by breaking down the food as you chew it. After being swallowed, food moves via the oesophagus and into the stomach, where it is fully digested.
When someone eats, their stomach retains the food and starts digesting it by secreting pepsin plus hydrochloric acid. These acids further decompose the food, resulting in the production of chyme.
The nutrients are subsequently absorbed by chyme as it settles in the stomach before proceeding into the small intestine. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas start processing the nutrients.
The liver is where bile is first produced. The pancreas continues to break down the proteins, lipids, and carbs for the body while bile is subsequently stored within the gallbladder until eventually released into the small intestine.
An endoscopy can evaluate the upper GI tract, which a gastroenterologist carries out while the patient is sedated. Although it is an outpatient operation, the patient is usually not permitted to drive home.