Endoscopy 

Introduction 

Endoscopy

Find out what an endoscopy procedure is, what happens and how you can prepare yourself for it.

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined internally using an endoscope.

An endoscopy is usually carried out while a person is awake. Before the procedure, a sedative (medication that has a calming effect) may be given to help the patient relax.

Endoscope

An endoscope is a thin, long, flexible tube that has a light source and a video camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to an external television screen.

Endoscopes can be inserted into the body through a natural opening, such as through your throat or anus (the opening through which stools are passed out of the body). Alternatively, it can be inserted through a small surgical incision (cut) that is made in the skin.

When is an endoscopy used?

Endoscopies are used mainly to help diagnose health conditions, such as incontinence and urinary tract infections (UTIs). See Why endoscopy is necessary for more information.

Some specially adapted endoscopes can be used to treat certain conditions, such as gallstones.

See the Health A-Z topics about Diagnostic endoscopy and Therapeutic endoscopy for more information about these specific types of endoscopies.

Last reviewed: 21/04/2010

Next review due: 21/04/2012

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7 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

LynnyBee said on 22 January 2012

I too had endoscopy with sedation this week and it was the most harrowing, horrendous experience i have ever been through and i have been through labour, multiple loses, broken bones and a laproscopy , septacemia amongst a few.....Biopsy was taken ( excruciating) and the pain from the whole procedure was immence. 4 people held me down and my eyes are left so sore and bloodshot from the pressure of pain and wretching that i look like i'm haemorraging. I have been in continuos pain ever since. I didn't sleep until 4am the following morning for the sheer fear of the visions i was seeing every time i shut my eyes and am still very disturbed. I agree with 'azintom'.... you should be given General Anethestic for this procedure its inhumane and barbaric as for "the sedative will make you forget" i remember it too clearly.

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sweetpie said on 31 December 2011

I had an endoscopy two days ago, I am still having nightmares about the experience. I had no sedation only throat spray, I too wretched all the way through. My body still aches from wretching so much. I have a high pain threshold but this wasn't pain it was something much worse. Anybody reading this have the sedation.

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RachelNRD said on 05 December 2011

Having read some of the comments on here I was very nervous about my gastronomy last week. However - my worries were in vain! Staff could not have been more reassuring and after some discussion, I decided to go with the sedation offered. I felt only a little discomfort when the needle went in, followed by nothing until it was all over and I went back to the waiting area for half an hour. I had expected to feel uncomforatble for the rest of the day and reluctant to eat, but at teatime I was tucking into my meal as usual. I hope this reassures others.

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azintom said on 07 November 2011

I recently had to have an endosopy to see what was going on in my colon.I asked to be put out as was told that I could not and that I would be given a sedative which will make be relax .. It had no effect whatsoever and I was given Buscopan to help with the pain.The pain I experienced was horrendous and I had three nurses holding me down and pressing against my staomache so the procedure could continue. I have a high tolerence of pain have had 3 children undergone major surgery and recovered from cancer, but this procedure was the most horrific pain eexperience of my life .Surely in the guidelines need to be addressed and with some urgency.I found the whole experience barbaric and inhumane! Sorry to those who read this , but felt I had to let others know of this traumatic experience.Yours may be ok- well I hope so .

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truebut anon said on 02 October 2011

I had an endoscopy a couple of years ago. Entry was through the penis. No sedation. Very slight initial unpleasant sensation but nothing else. No problem. I'm sorry that previous contributors have had unfortunate experiences but I must speak for the positve side. It was good to know that all was well with me.

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taylor a said on 27 July 2011

i had my endoscopy today and after googling was terrified. due to circumstances i had to opt for no sedation. the doctor was very good at explaining and reassuring me although i would be in discomfort i would be safe. i am normally a panicker but i managed to remain calm and focus on my breathing an remind myself i was in safe hands and it would be over soon. i had throat spray and when the camera went in i was fine, no gagging or pain. yes i was uncomfortable and felt slight pain when it was in my stomach an through to intestine, a really strange sensation. but all in all it wasnt a bad experience. i feel if i had been sedated and not fully aware i probably would have panicked more . and i`ve learned googling probably isn`t a good idea.

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lynn prescott said on 22 July 2011

i had an endoscopy today with sedation, it did absolutely nothing, i felt the tube going down and wretched all the way through, it was horrible, i recommend to be out of it if anyone is having it done, never again!!!!

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