In some cases your doctor may ask that you:. 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 make any important personal or financial decisions for 24 hours. 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:.
You can't talk after the endoscope passes down your throat, though you can make noises. The endoscope doesn't interfere with your breathing. When your doctor has finished the exam, the endoscope is slowly retracted through your mouth. An endoscopy typically takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your situation. You'll be taken to a recovery area to sit or lie quietly after your endoscopy.
You may stay for an hour or so. This allows your health care team to monitor you as the sedative begins to wear off. Once you're at home, you may experience some mildly uncomfortable signs and symptoms after endoscopy, such as:. These signs and symptoms will improve with time. How does an upper endoscopy work?
Who does my upper endoscopy? Getting ready for an upper endoscopy When you schedule the procedure, you will get detailed instructions on how to prepare. These may include: Not eating or drinking anything, including water, for up to 8 hours before the procedure.
Ask the doctor or nurse about these or any other restrictions when you schedule the endoscopy. During the procedure Before the procedure begins, you will need to undress and put on a hospital gown. After the procedure You will stay for up to 2 hours while the effects of the anesthesia and sedative wear off. But call your health care team right away if you have any of these symptoms: Severe throat, chest, or abdominal pain Fever Shortness of breath Trouble swallowing Questions to ask your health care team Before having an upper endoscopy, consider asking the following questions: Who will do my upper endoscopy?
Will anyone else be in the room? What will happen during the upper endoscopy? How long will the procedure take? Will it be painful? Will I be given any type of anesthesia or sedation? What are the risks and benefits of having an upper endoscopy? How accurately does an upper endoscopy find cancer? When and how will I learn the results? Who will explain the results to me? What other tests will I need if the upper endoscopy finds evidence of cancer?
Navigating Cancer Care. The capsule usually passes through the digestive system within hours. To date, more than , capsule endoscopy procedures have been carried out, and nearly 1, articles have been published covering its clinical use. The procedure does not require an overnight stay in the hospital and usually only takes around 1 hour to complete. The doctor will provide instructions about the preparation for the procedure. For many types of endoscopy, the individual needs to fast for around 12 hours, though this varies based on the type.
For procedures investigating the gut, laxatives may be taken the night before to clear the system. A doctor will carry out an examination before the endoscopy. It is important to mention all current medications including supplements and any previous procedures. Sometimes, endoscopy will be combined with another procedure such as an ultrasound scan. It can be used to place the ultrasound probe close to organs that can be difficult to image, such as the pancreas. Modern endoscopes are sometimes fitted with sensitive lights that use narrow band imaging.
This type of imaging uses specific blue and green wavelengths that allow the doctor to spot precancerous conditions more easily.
An endoscopy is typically performed while the patient is conscious, although sometimes the patient will receive local anesthetic commonly an anesthetic spray to the back of the throat ; often, the patient is sedated. For endoscopy procedures involving entry through the mouth, a mouth guard will be used to protect the teeth and lips as the tube is inserted.
Endoscopy has advanced in recent years, enabling some forms of surgery to be conducted using a modified endoscope; this makes the surgery less invasive. Procedures such as the removal of the gallbladder, sealing and tying the fallopian tubes and the removal of small tumors from the digestive system or lungs are now commonplace.
Some types of endoscopic procedures, such as ERCP, may require an overnight hospital stay to make sure all is well. You are given pain relief, if necessary. You need someone else to drive you home, or else catch a taxi, because of the effects of medication during surgery. Possible complications Possible complications of endoscopy include: Perforation of an organ Excessive bleeding haemorrhage Infection Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia.
Inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis after an ERCP. Taking care of yourself at home Self-care depends on the type of endoscopy you undergo.
Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions include: Most patients are able to resume normal activities within 24 hours to a few days. Contact your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or pass blood or have black bowel actions. Long-term outlook Recovery time following endoscopy is rapid, usually a few hours to one day or so.
Alternatives to endoscopy The main alternatives to endoscopy are x-rays for diagnostic procedures or open surgery for treatment procedures. Diagnoses of the gut may be made by swallowing x-ray contrast barium or having it passed into the rectum. The disadvantages of x-ray procedures include: An unpleasant taste or discomfort No biopsies can be taken for tissue diagnosis A therapeutic procedure such as removal of a polyp tumour cannot be performed at the same time.
The disadvantages of open surgery include: Longer hospital stay Increased risk of complications, including infection Longer convalescence recovery time Comparatively extensive scarring. Where to get help Your doctor The hospital or centre where the procedure was performed. Things to remember Endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to inspect and observe the inside of the body without performing major surgery.
An endoscope is a long, usually flexible tube with a lens at one end and a video camera at the other. Endoscopy , [online] Healthpoint, New Zealand. More information here. Hysteroscopy [online], Indman, P.
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