Endoscopy uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a camera (endoscope) to examine inside your body. Doctors may use it to diagnose and treat various conditions.

Why Is Endoscopy Performed?

Endoscopy helps investigate, confirm, and treat many symptoms and conditions, such as:1

• Gastrointestinal (digestive) conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Pelvic conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), which affect any part of the urinary system (including the kidneys and bladder)
• Abdominal conditions, such as appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) and ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs on or inside the ovaries)
• Respiratory conditions, like shortness of breath and lung tissue scarring

Doctors might insert other instruments through the endoscope to:1

• Examine abnormal tissue closely
• Take a biopsy (tissue sample) for further investigation
• Remove polyps (small tissue growths) or tumors
• Stop internal bleeding
• Remove obstructions like food or scar tissue

What Are the Various Types of Procedures?

An upper endoscopy is an examination of the upper gut. It's often referred to as an endoscopy. However, this is only one of many endoscopy types performed by different doctors.

Other types include:

Anoscopy: A family physician often uses this procedure to check the anus and lowest part of the large intestine (rectum). It helps diagnose:2

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen, inflamed veins near the anus and lower rectum
• Fissures: Small anal tears
• Polyps: Abnormal growths on the anal lining
• Colorectal cancer: Cancer of the large, muscular tube known as the colon, or cancer of the rectum, which sits at the end of the digestive tract
• Inflammation

A doctor might recommend an anoscopy for symptoms like blood in your stool, itching or painful lumps around your anus, or painful bowel movements.2

Arthroscopy: Orthopaedic surgeons specialize in bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They perform arthroscopies to examine inflammation and treat acute or chronic (long-term) injuries, including tendon or ligament tears and carpal tunnel syndrome (a group of conditions caused by nerve compression in the wrist).3

Bronchoscopy: Thoracic surgeons, who specialize in chest organs like the lungs and heart, use this procedure to examine the airways and lungs. It is an important procedure for managing and diagnosing lung diseases and respiratory disorders.4

Capsule endoscopy: This procedure is also used to examine the small intestine. A doctor will give you a capsule with a small camera inside. The capsule takes images of your gut lining as it passes through your gut over 1-2 days. Capsule endoscopy is most often used to examine gastrointestinal bleeding.5

Colonoscopy: Gastroenterologists use this procedure to examine the lining of the colon and rectum. It is a common test that screens for colorectal cancer in people over the age of 45. It can also stop bleeding or diagnose conditions like IBS.6

Cytoscopy: Urologic surgeons, who specialize in urinary tract organs, use this test to examine the urethra, bladder, prostate, and other nearby structures. It might be used for conditions like:7

• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Pain in the pelvic area for at least six months
• Urinary incontinence: Loss of bladder control
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs): Infections in parts of the urinary system like the bladder, kidneys, or urethra

Enteroscopy: A gastroenterologist performs this procedure to examine the entire small intestine. In contrast, an upper endoscopy only looks at the upper portion. An enteroscopy is commonly used to diagnose small intestine conditions—for example, if you have abnormal x-ray results or tumors, or unexplained diarrhea or gastrointestinal bleeding.8

Laparoscopy: Many types of medical specialists including general surgeons and gynecologists (medical doctors who specialize in female reproductive health) use laparoscopy to view the inside of your body and take biopsies without a large incision. It's usually used to diagnose the cause of symptoms in the abdomen or pelvis (area between your hips), including pain and difficulty getting pregnant.9

Mediastinoscopy: Thoracic surgeons use this procedure to examine the space between the lungs and breastbone, called the mediastinum. It's most commonly used to diagnose lung cancer.10

Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy includes pleuroscopy, which views the chest cavity, and surgical thoracoscopy, also known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). VATS is performed by a thoracic surgeon. Thoracoscopy is used to manage and treat heart and lung conditions.11

Upper endoscopy: This is also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD, or endoscopy. Gastroenterologists use this test to look at the lining of the upper gut for bleeding, tumors, or other signs of disease. The upper gut includes the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine (duodenum).12

What You Can Expect From an Endoscopy

All endoscopy procedures involve inserting a thin, flexible tube into the body through either a small cut or a natural opening like your mouth or anus. The tube has a light and camera on one end.

Talk with a doctor before your procedure for more information on what to expect for your particular procedure.

Before the Test

You will complete a questionnaire and a waiver before the endoscopy. The pre-questionnaire helps identify any potential risks that would prevent you from having the procedure.

You might need to change into a medical gown for the procedure.1 The medical staff may check your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and pulse before the endoscopy. You will likely receive pain medication and a sedative or anesthesia, depending on the procedure.1

A sedative is a medication that causes sleepiness and helps you relax. Conscious sedation causes drowsiness and forgetfulness, and deep sedation puts you into a deeper sleep mode.13

Most people are given a sedative unless they are considered a very high-risk person or are pregnant.14 Talk with a doctor and the procedural team about the best option for you.

If you receive anesthesia, the anesthesiologist will ask you about any medical conditions. This information can help determine the type of anesthesia and the amount to use.14

An endoscopy procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes, plus prep time. The procedure can be as brief as 5-10 minutes.14

During the Test

You will likely lie on an examination table during the procedure. The medical staff may instruct you on how to position yourself. For example, you will likely lie on your left side during an upper endoscopy.14

The anesthesiologist (a medical doctor who specializes in drugs used for pain management and sedation) will administer the anesthesia via an intravenous (IV) line in a vein, likely in your arm.14

The medical doctor or surgeon will insert the endoscope into your body—for example, into your esophagus or anus. For procedures like thoracoscopy or laparoscopy, the surgeon will make a small incision to insert the endoscope.

They may insert other instruments through the endoscope during the procedure. These tools deliver medications, treat bleeding, remove polyps or tumors, and collect tissue for biopsy.

You may have some pain or discomfort during the procedure, especially if you do not have anesthesia or deep sedation.1

After the Test

You may feel pain or discomfort after the procedure. For example, you might have a sore throat, bloating, or nausea. The staff will likely monitor you for about 1-2 hours as the sedative or anesthesia wears off.12

Most endoscopies do not require an overnight hospital stay. You will need to pre-arrange a ride home if you had a sedative or anesthesia. The medical staff may also provide instructions for post-endoscopy care. You will likely be advised to rest at home that day.1

Other post-procedure instructions will vary depending on the endoscopy type. For example, you will need to wear a chest tube for 1-2 days after a thoracoscopy.11

Are There Risks To Watch For?

Endoscopies are relatively safe procedures, but there are some potential risks and side effects. The risks depend on the type of endoscopy.

Possible risks include:

• Bleeding and perforation: Bleeding occurs as a result of perforation, following a biopsy or polyp removal. Perforations occur when the endoscope tears the tissue lining or blood vessels. This is treated during the procedure via cauterization (sealing blood vessels with heat) or medication.6
• Side effects of anesthesia or sedatives: Some medications can cause changes in blood pressure or breathing problems, or allergic reactions.15
• Pain, numbness, or soreness: These symptoms can occur at the site of the endoscopy, especially as sedatives or painkillers begin to wear off.1
• Infection: In rare cases, you can acquire an infection during the endoscopy procedure. This is treated with antibiotics, a class of medications used for bacterial infections.16

When To Seek Immediate Care

Some symptoms following endoscopy require immediate medical attention, such as:41512

• Dark-colored or bloody stool
• Shortness of breath
• Severe and persistent abdominal or chest pain
• Nausea or vomiting blood
• Fever

How Should You Prepare for Your Appointment?

Preparation depends on the type of endoscopy. For example, an anoscopy does not require any preparation. A colonoscopy requires a particular diet and laxatives. Speak with a doctor about how to prepare for your procedure and follow their instructions.

You will need to consider the following:6121

• Location: Most endoscopy procedures are performed in a hospital or outpatient setting.
• Clothing: You may need to change into a hospital gown for the procedure.
• Medications: Tell the medical doctor or surgeon about any health conditions, medications, and supplements you take. Some medications and supplements can cause bleeding or interact with medications during the procedure.
• Food and drink: Many endoscopies require fasting or eating a liquid diet before the procedure. Gut endoscopy will require a bowel cleanse to make it easier for the clinician to examine your gut lining. This may involve fasting for 12 hours beforehand, switching to a clear liquid diet, or using laxatives. You will also need to refrain from eating eight hours before your procedure and refrain from drinking two hours before if you receive sedation.13
• What to bring: Bring your identification card (such as a driver's license) and insurance card to the procedure.
• Pre-arrange a ride home: You will not be able to drive for 24 hours after an endoscopy involving anesthetics or sedatives.

Check with your insurance provider to see whether the endoscopy is covered. Some procedures, like a colonoscopy, may only be covered if they are used to screen for cancer.17

Understanding Your Results

You may receive results immediately after the procedure. A pathologist (a medical doctor who specializes in examining body tissues and fluids) will review any samples taken. It might take several days to get the results of a biopsy.12

You may receive your results via in-office appointment, mobile app, or over the phone, depending on the reasons for the endoscopy and the results.

How Can You Interpret Your Results?

The doctor or surgeon will tell you if they find abnormalities after the procedure.

Endoscopy results might be:

• Positive: The doctor or surgeon found polyps, growths, or other abnormalities in the body region being examined. A biopsy will be sent to a pathologist to confirm a diagnosis.1819
• Negative: The doctor or surgeon detected no polyps or other abnormalities.6
• Inconclusive: The doctor or surgeon could not complete the procedure, or the procedure did not lead to a firm conclusion.2