What Is an Endoscopy?

A doctor will use an endoscopy to visually check the upper digestive system for problems such as polyps, tumors, foreign objects or the reason for certain symptoms. The procedure entails a physician using a minute camera mounted on the end of a long and flexible tube that is then sent down the patient's throat and into the esophagus, stomach, and the start of the small intestine. An endoscopy, or EGD, can be done in a hospital on an outpatient basis or in a doctor's office.

Identification

• Endoscopies can help in identifying gastrointestinal troubles such as bleeding and what is behind such problems as constant vomiting, nausea and abdominal pains. During an endoscopy, a doctor has the ability to do a biopsy of any tissue that is deemed suspicious, and polyps can be removed and other conditions treated. Anything that has become stuck in the upper digestive tract can be removed during an endoscopy. They are also used as a follow-up tool to check the success of other operations and procedures.

Time Frame

• Prior to having an endoscopy, you will not be able to eat or drink for 6 to 8 hours, which is done so that your stomach will be empty and allow the doctor a good look at things. If you take certain drugs, you may have to refrain from doing so, especially if they are blood thinners. Diabetics are always given instructions on what they can do regarding insulin injections. Right before the endoscopy, you will be given a sedative to relax you, along with pain medication. Some physicians will spray the patient's throat with a numbing agent. Many people will actually sleep through the entire procedure. The endoscopy usually takes no longer than 20 minutes. Afterward someone will have to drive you home, and it is recommended that someone spend the rest of the day with you in the case of any complications.

Function

• During an endoscopy, a patient lies down on a surgical table on his left side. Often there are monitors attached that will watch his breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. He may have an IV in his arm delivering a sedative. A plastic mouth guard will be used to protect the endoscope and the patient's teeth. The scope will be inserted into the throat, and the doctor will tell the patient to swallow as it goes down. It is painless, but the patient will be unable to speak as this occurs. Sometimes air is pumped gently into the esophagus to widen the digestive tract. The doctor will be watching the video monitor that the camera at the end of scope is sending pictures to, looking for anything out of the ordinary. The doctor will perform any procedures such as a biopsy if necessary and then remove the scope, after which the patient will lie in the recovery area until the sedation has worn off.

Effects

• Depending on what the endoscopy was performed for, the patient may receive the results right away. If a tissue sample was removed, then the patient will have to wait for results to come back from the lab. Some side effects of an endoscopy can include bloating and more gas than usual, but this should pass in a day or two. The patient may have some blood in his saliva and his throat may be sore, but this will also rapidly improve.

Warning

• No procedure is without risk, and an endoscopy is no exception. There is always a slight chance of excessive bleeding if a piece of tissue is removed for a biopsy. Infections are a faint possibility, and if the endoscope somehow creates a tear in the esophagus or stomach area, then it may require surgery to fix. Your doctor will alert you to watch for such signs as blood in your stool, high fevers, shortness of breath and abdominal pain that could mean there has been some complication.