Most people find it uncomfortable rather than painful. The throat spray reduces gagging, and sedation is available if you feel anxious.

Will I be able to breathe during the test?

Yes. The scope goes into the food pipe, not the windpipe, so your breathing is not blocked.

Not always. Many people manage well with the throat spray alone and can leave soon after. If you choose sedation, you will need an adult to take you home and must not drive that day.

Should I stop my blood thinner before the test?

Not always. Tell us when you book. Never stop it on your own; the decision depends on why you take it and what may be done during the test.

When can I eat after the test?

Once the throat numbness wears off. Start with water, then light food, unless the doctor tells you otherwise.

Test or procedure

Upper GI endoscopy

An upper GI endoscopy lets the doctor look directly at the lining of your food pipe, stomach and duodenum using a thin, flexible camera. It takes about 10 minutes, and most people go home within an hour or so.

Also called: gastroscopy, upper endoscopy, UGI scopy, stomach camera test

A patient resting comfortably in the recovery area after an endoscopy, with a nurse beside her.

Duration10 minSedationThroat spray

What it is

An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube with a light and a tiny camera at its tip. It passes gently through your mouth into the food pipe (oesophagus), the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The pictures appear on a screen, so Dr. Tumma can see inflammation, ulcers, bleeding points, swollen veins or growths. If needed, she can take small tissue samples (biopsies) or treat some problems during the same test.

Why it is done

Acidity, heartburn or indigestion that keeps coming back or does not settle with medicines
Pain or discomfort in the upper part of the tummy
Difficulty or pain while swallowing, or food feeling stuck
Vomiting blood or passing black, tar-like stools
Unexplained weight loss, anaemia or repeated vomiting
Testing for H. pylori, checking that an ulcer has healed, or checking for swollen veins in liver disease

Before: how to prepare

Nothing to eat for 6–8 hours before the test. We will tell you until when you can take small sips of plain water.
Bring a list of all your medicines, including those prescribed by other doctors.
Tell us in advance if you take blood thinners, aspirin or diabetes medicines. Do not stop any medicine on your own; we will advise you.
Unless told otherwise, take your usual BP and thyroid tablets in the morning with a small sip of water.
Bring previous endoscopy reports, scans and blood test results, if you have them.
If you plan to have sedation, come with an adult who can take you home.
Wear loose, comfortable clothes. You will be asked to remove dentures and spectacles before the test.

Printable preparation guidePreparing for your upper GI endoscopy. Day-by-day steps, food lists and medicines to ask about.Read more

On the day

Check-in
The team checks your details and medicines, explains the test and asks you to sign a consent form. Ask any questions you have.
Getting ready
Your throat is numbed with a spray. If you choose sedation, a small needle is placed in a vein in your hand or arm.
The test
You lie on your left side with a small mouth guard between your teeth. The scope passes gently down, and you can breathe normally throughout.
Biopsies, if needed
Small tissue samples may be taken for testing. You will not feel this.
Recovery
You rest for about 30 minutes, a little longer after sedation, and the doctor explains what she saw.

After

Wait until the throat numbness wears off, usually about an hour, before eating or drinking. Start with a sip of water.
A mild sore throat, bloating or burping is common and settles within a day.
If you had sedation, do not drive, ride a two-wheeler, operate machinery or sign important documents for the rest of the day.
After sedation, go home with an adult and rest for the day.
Call us or go to the nearest emergency if you have severe tummy or chest pain, vomit blood, pass black stools, get a fever or have trouble breathing.

Results. Dr. Tumma explains what she saw straight after the test and gives you a written report. If biopsies were taken, they go to a lab and results usually take a few days; we will go through them with you at your follow-up.

Risks, explained honestly

Common and mild

Sore throat for a day
Bloating or burping from the air used during the test
Drowsiness for some hours if you had sedation

Rare but serious

Bleeding, mainly after a biopsy or treatment
A tear (perforation) in the wall of the gut, which is rare but serious and may need surgery
A reaction to the sedation medicine or breathing problems; the team monitors you closely throughout