Endoscopy: Types, Procedures, and Benefits

What is an Endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to view the inside of your body using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera. The scope is gently guided through natural openings or small cuts, depending on the area being examined. It helps doctors investigate symptoms, diagnose conditions, and sometimes perform treatment—all without major surgery. 

Knowing the endoscopy meaning can ease your concerns: it's a safe and commonly performed procedure designed to give accurate insight into your health with minimal discomfort.

Why Is An Endoscopy Done?

Doctors recommend an endoscopy procedure for many reasons, and it’s often the most effective way to see what’s happening inside your body without surgery.

• Investigating symptoms – If you're experiencing ongoing issues such as stomach pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained bleeding, an endoscopy test helps identify the cause.
• Diagnosing conditions – It can collect tissue samples (biopsies) to check for conditions like ulcers, inflammation, or even cancer.
• Monitoring diseases – Endoscopy helps track existing health conditions and check how well treatments are working.
• Providing treatment – The same endoscopy procedure can be used to stop internal bleeding, remove polyps, or widen a narrowed area.

Types of Endoscopy

There are several types of endoscopy procedures, each designed for different parts of your body. Your doctor will suggest the most suitable type based on your symptoms.

• Upper Endoscopy (EGD) – This checks your oesophagus, stomach, and the upper part of your small intestine. It’s often used to investigate acid reflux, ulcers, or swallowing problems.
• Colonoscopy – The scope is passed through your bottom to examine the colon. It’s used for bowel issues and to screen for colon cancer.
• Enteroscopy – Focuses on your small intestine, entered through the mouth or bottom, depending on the area of interest.
• Bronchoscopy – This type looks inside your lungs and airways via your nose or mouth.
• Cystoscopy – Examines your bladder and urethra using a scope inserted through the urethra.
• Laparoscopy – Involves small cuts in your abdomen and is often used to examine organs like the liver, ovaries, or intestines.

Advanced Endoscopy Techniques

Some newer technologies make the endoscopy procedure even more effective and less invasive.

• Capsule endoscopy – You swallow a tiny capsule with a camera that takes thousands of pictures as it moves through your digestive tract.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) – Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to get detailed images of organs like your pancreas.
• Narrow-band imaging (NBI) – Enhances visibility of abnormal tissue, making it easier to detect early signs of disease like Barrett’s oesophagus.

Diseases an Endoscopy can Detect

The benefits of endoscopy include its ability to find problems early. It helps detect several types of conditions across different body systems.

• Digestive conditions – Such as acid reflux, ulcers, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gastrointestinal cancers.
• Respiratory issues – Bronchoscopy can help diagnose chronic coughs, infections, or tumours in the lungs.
• Urinary problems – Cystoscopy is used to identify infections, bladder tumours, or kidney stones.
• Gynaecological issues – Hysteroscopy helps examine the uterus for causes of irregular bleeding or fertility concerns.
• Joint conditions – Arthroscopy allows a look inside joints to detect damage, arthritis, or injuries.
• Brain and nervous system – Neuroendoscopy assists in locating tumours or abnormalities in the brain.

Risks

An endoscopy procedure is generally very safe, but like any medical test, it does carry some risks. These are rare and usually manageable with proper care.

• Bleeding – This may happen if tissue is removed during the procedure, but it’s usually minor and controlled on the spot.
• Infection – Most procedures carry a low risk of infection, especially if no treatment is done. Antibiotics may be given if needed.
• Tearing (perforation) – In rare cases, the scope may cause a tear in the lining of your organ, possibly requiring surgery.
• Reaction to sedation – Some people may feel sleepy, dizzy, or nauseous after sedation. Reactions are usually mild and short-lived.
• Discomfort – Mild bloating, cramping, or a sore throat may occur depending on the type of scope used.

Endoscopy Treatments

Beyond diagnosis, an endoscopy procedure is also used to treat various medical conditions directly, reducing the need for traditional surgery.

• Stopping bleeding – If internal bleeding is found, tools can be used through the scope to seal the vessel or cauterise the source.
• Removing growths – Polyps or abnormal tissues found during the procedure can often be removed immediately, avoiding follow-up surgeries.
• Widening narrowed areas – In conditions like strictures of the oesophagus or bowel, a balloon can be inserted and gently inflated to open the passage.
• Placing stents – Tiny tubes (stents) can be inserted to keep blocked areas open, such as in the bile duct or oesophagus.
• Draining fluid – If a cyst or collection of fluid is found, it can be drained safely using specialised tools.
• Delivering medication – Some endoscopies are used to inject medicines directly into targeted areas, especially in chronic diseases.
• Removing foreign objects – Accidentally swallowed items, especially in children, can be retrieved safely using an endoscope.
• Minimally invasive surgery – Laparoscopy and other forms of keyhole surgery allow for more precise procedures with quicker recovery.

What Can You Expect?

Knowing what will happen during your endoscopy procedure can help you feel more at ease. While the details vary depending on the type of endoscopy, most follow a similar process. You'll usually be asked to fast before the test and may be given a sedative to help you relax. The procedure is often short, and you can usually go home the same day.

During an Endoscopy

Your healthcare team will guide you through each step and make sure you're comfortable.

• Monitoring – Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are carefully monitored throughout the procedure.
• Sedation – You may receive medicine through a small needle in your arm to make you feel relaxed and sleepy.
• Local anaesthetic – A spray may be used to numb your throat if the scope is inserted through the mouth.
• Inserting the scope – The scope is gently passed into your body. You might feel pressure but not pain.
• Image viewing – The camera sends images to a screen, allowing the doctor to look for anything unusual.
• Tissue sampling – If needed, small tools can collect a sample for lab testing.

After the Endoscopy

Once it’s over, you’ll be moved to a recovery area for a short time.

• Monitoring after sedation – Nurses will observe you until the sedative wears off. You may feel drowsy.
• Mild symptoms – You could experience slight bloating, a sore throat, or cramping, which usually go away quickly.
• Discharge – Most people go home the same day. Make sure someone can drive you home if you are sedated.
• Eating and drinking – You’ll be advised when it’s safe to eat or drink again, usually after a short wait.
• Results – Some findings are shared immediately, but if a biopsy was done, results may take a few days.

What are the Side Effects of an Endoscopy?

Most people experience little to no side effects after an endoscopy procedure. Any side effects that do occur are usually mild and pass within a couple of days.

• Bloating or gas – Air is often introduced to help the scope move, which may leave you feeling full or bloated for a few hours.
• Sore throat – If the scope was passed through your mouth, your throat might feel scratchy or sore temporarily.
• Cramps or discomfort – Especially common after a colonoscopy, due to air or movement during the test.
• Drowsiness – This can last for several hours if you were sedated. It’s best to rest and avoid important tasks for the rest of the day.
• Mild bleeding – If a biopsy or polyp removal was performed, you might notice light bleeding, which usually stops quickly.
• Emotional reassurance – It’s normal to feel nervous beforehand. Most people feel relieved afterwards once results are known and symptoms are better understood.

Conclusion

Having a clearer understanding of the endoscopy procedure helps reduce worry and supports better decision-making for your health. It plays a key role in diagnosing and managing conditions early, often with minimal discomfort. 

If you're preparing for an endoscopy test, partnering with a reliable diagnostic provider matters. Metropolis Healthcare offers expert-led, accurate testing with the convenience of home sample collection—making your journey to better health smoother and simpler.

FAQs

When should I know the results of the endoscopy?

You may get results the same day, but biopsy results can usually take a few days for confirmation.

How painful is an endoscopy?

Endoscopy is usually not painful. Sedation or anaesthesia keeps you comfortable, though slight pressure may be felt.

Do they put you to sleep for an endoscopy?

Yes, most endoscopies involve sedation or light anaesthesia to help you relax and stay pain-free during the procedure.

What are the risks of endoscopy?

Risks are rare but may include bleeding, infection, reactions to sedation, or a small tear in the lining.

Can you eat after an endoscopy?

Yes, but only after sedation wears off and your doctor confirms it’s safe—usually a few hours later.