ENDOSCOPY

An endoscope is a long, thin fiber optic tube with a small camera at the end, that is passed into your body directly to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail through a natural opening such as your mouth. It can also be used to carry out other tasks take biopsy samples & minor surgery.

During an (A) Upper gastric endoscopy or OGD, an endoscope is easily passed through the mouth and throat and into the esophagus, allowing the doctor to view the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. It is done under sedation.
Similarly, endoscopes can be passed into the large intestine ( colon) through the rectum to examine this area of the intestine. This procedure is called sigmoidoscopy or (B) Colonoscopy depending on how far up the colon is examined.

Alternatively, they can be inserted into small incisions, for instance, in the knee or abdomen. Surgery completed through a small incision and assisted with special instruments, such as the endoscope, is called keyhole surgery/laparoscopy. Endoscopes have a wide range of use in many regions of the human body both for diagnosis & treatment.

UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Common Disorders that Require Gastroscopy(Upper Endoscopy/OGD)

  • Investigate symptoms. An endoscopy can help determine what’s causing digestive signs and symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Diagnose. An endoscopy offers an opportunity to collect tissue samples ( biopsy) to test for diseases and conditions that may be causing anemia, bleeding, inflammation or diarrhea. It can also detect some cancers of the upper digestive system.
  • Treat. Special tools can be passed through the endoscope to treat problems in your digestive system. For example, an endoscopy can be used to burn a bleeding vessel to stop bleeding, widen a narrow esophagus, clip off a polyp, or remove a foreign object.

Risks to the Procedure

An endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Rare complications include:
  • Bleeding. Your risk of bleeding complications after an endoscopy is increased if the procedure involves removing a piece of tissue for testing ( biopsy) or treating a digestive system problem. In rare cases, such bleeding may require a blood transfusion.
  • Infection. Most endoscopies consist of an examination and biopsy, and risk of infection is low. The risk of infection increases when additional procedures are performed as part of your endoscopy. Most infections are minor and can be treated with antibiotics. Your provider may give you preventive antibiotics before your procedure if you are at higher risk of infection.
  • Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract. A tear in your esophagus or another part of your upper digestive tract may require hospitalization, and sometimes surgery to repair it. The risk of this complication is very low — it occurs in an estimated 1 of every 2,500 to 11,000 diagnostic upper endoscopies. The risk increases if additional procedures, such as dilation to widen your esophagus, are performed.
  • A reaction to sedation or anesthesia. Upper endoscopy is usually performed with sedation or anesthesia. The type of anesthesia or sedation depends on the person and the reason for the procedure. There is a risk of a reaction to sedation or anesthesia, but the risk is low.

After discussing the risks of the gastroscopy/OGD with you, your health provider will ask you to sign a consent form giving permission for the procedure.

Symptoms to watch for after your Endoscopy include:

  • Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Bloody, black, or very dark-colored stool
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Severe or persistent abdominal pain
  • Vomiting, especially if your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds

Call your provider immediately or go to an emergency room if you experience any of these symptoms.

How to Prepare for the Procedure

Your provider will give you specific instructions to prepare for your endoscopy. You may be asked to:

  • Fast before the endoscopy. You’ll typically need to stop eating solid food for eight hours and stop drinking liquids for four hours before your endoscopy. This is to ensure your stomach is empty for the procedure.
  • Stop taking certain medications. You’ll need to stop taking certain blood-thinning medications in the days before your endoscopy, if possible. Blood thinners may increase your risk of bleeding if certain procedures are performed during the endoscopy. If you have ongoing conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, your provider will give you specific instructions regarding your medications.
  • Tell your provider about all the medications and supplements you’re taking before your endoscopy.

Plan ahead for your recovery

Most people undergoing an upper endoscopy will receive a sedative to relax them and make them more comfortable during the procedure. Plan ahead for your recovery while the sedative wears off. You may feel mentally alert, but your memory, reaction times and judgment may be impaired. Find someone to drive you home. You may also need to take the day off from work. Don’t drive or make important personal or financial decisions for 24 hours.

During an Endoscopy

During an upper endoscopy procedure, you’ll be asked to lie down on a table on your back or on your side. As the procedure gets underway:

  • Monitors often are attached to your body. This allows your healthcare team to monitor your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.
  • You may receive a sedative medication. This medication, given through a vein in your forearm, helps you relax during the endoscopy.
  • An anesthetic may be used in your mouth. An anesthetic spray numbs your throat in preparation for inserting the long, flexible tube (endoscope). You may be asked to wear a plastic mouth guard to hold your mouth open.
  • Then the endoscope is inserted into your mouth. Your provider may ask you to swallow as the scope passes your throat. You may feel some pressure in your throat, but you shouldn’t feel pain.
  • A tiny camera at the tip of the endoscope transmits images to a video monitor in the exam room to identify any pathologies that may be present and possibly collect a tissue sample or remove a polyp. This may be done by passing special small surgical tools through the endoscope
  • Gentle air pressure may be fed into your esophagus to inflate your digestive tract for ease of examination. You may feel pressure or fullness from the added air.

When the exam is finished, the endoscope is slowly retracted through your mouth. An endoscopy typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

After the Gastroscopy/OGD

You’ll be taken to a recovery area to sit or lie quietly after your endoscopy. You may stay for an hour or so. During this time, your healthcare team can monitor you as the sedative begins to wear off. You may have something light once you’re fully awake. Once you’re at home, you may experience some mildly uncomfortable symptoms after endoscopy, such as:

  • Bloating and gas
  • Cramping
  • Sore throat

These signs and symptoms will improve with time. If you’re concerned or quite uncomfortable, call your healthcare provider. Take it easy for the rest of the day after your endoscopy. After receiving a sedative, you may feel alert, but your reaction times are affected and judgment is delayed.

Results

Depending on what is visualized during the procedure, your health provider may discuss the results or request additional investigation if a tissue sample ( biopsy) was collected, from the laboratory. Ask your provider when you can expect the results of your endoscopy.


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FAQs

Common side effects include a sore throat (if a throat scope was used), bloating, mild nausea, and some abdominal discomfort after the procedure. These usually go away within a few hours. Rare risks include bleeding, infection, or damage to the digestive tract, but these are uncommon.

Endoscopy is generally not painful because patients are often given sedatives or local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. You may feel some pressure or mild cramping, especially if the scope is passed through the throat or into the stomach. Some people may experience a sore throat or mild abdominal discomfort after the procedure.

Endoscopy is used to detect a range of conditions such as stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal cancers, inflammation, infections (e.g., H. pylori), GERD (acid reflux), Crohn’s disease and celiac disease. It can also help identify sources of bleeding, blockages, or abnormal growths in the digestive tract.

Endoscopy is considered a low-risk procedure for most people, but like any medical procedure, it carries some risks. Potential risks include bleeding, infection, and accidental perforation (a tear in the digestive tract), though these complications are rare. The risk is higher in patients with certain health conditions, which is why a doctor will evaluate each patient’s individual risk before proceeding.

People with certain health conditions may not be suitable for endoscopy. These include severe heart or lung conditions, blood clotting disorders, and those who have had serious allergic reactions to sedatives or anesthesia. Pregnant women may also need special consideration. Your doctor will assess your medical history to determine if it’s safe to proceed with the procedure.

There is no specific age limit for having an endoscopy, and it can be performed on both young and elderly patients. However, older adults may require additional precautions due to other medical conditions (e.g., heart or kidney problems). The doctor will carefully consider the patient's overall health and risks before proceeding.

Yes, it is important to have an empty stomach for an endoscopy, especially if it's a procedure that involves the upper digestive tract (like an esophagogastroduodenoscopy). This reduces the risk of aspiration (inhalation of food or liquids into the lungs) and ensures clear visualization of the stomach and other organs. Typically, fasting for 6 to 8 hours is required before the procedure.

Vomiting can occur, especially if sedation was used. It may happen as a reaction to the procedure or the anesthesia, and is usually temporary. Most people feel fine within a few hours. If vomiting persists or if you experience other symptoms like fever, it’s important to contact your doctor.

TESTIMONIALS


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