To stay calm during an endoscopy you can try thinking about other things and reciting multiplication tables in your head, visualizing yourself in your favorite location, or remembering the words of your favorite songs.
It's normal to be nervous before your endoscopy but knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable during the procedure.
Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on what to do, and what not to do, during that period leading up to your procedure.
If you vomit during an endoscopy the vomit could enter your lungs and lead to aspiration.
Although the discomfort related to gagging during an endoscopic procedure can be avoided, particularly by numbing the back of the throat and using sedatives.
An endoscopy goes down to about 40 inches beyond the stomach.
An endoscopy is a procedure used in medicine to look inside the body.
The endoscopy procedure uses an endoscope to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body.
Unlike many other medical imaging techniques, endoscopes are inserted directly into the organ.
There are many types of endoscopies.
During an endoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus.
The tiny camera lets your doctor examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine (duodenum).
The examination is very quick and takes on average 3-5 minutes to complete.
This is not a painful procedure.
Most people are sensitive to the camera passing down the throat, so anesthetic throat spray and a light sedative injection can make examination much more comfortable.
If you have had a local anesthetic, it should take around an hour to completely wear off.
Sedation can take up to 24 hours to completely wear off, and it is recommended that you do not drive or operate heavy machinery, so it is important to organize alternative transport home.
An upper endoscopy takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
A colonoscopy takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
Diseases and conditions that can be detected by an endoscopy are.
gastroesophageal reflux disease.
ulcers.
cancer link.
inflammation, or swelling.
precancerous abnormalities such as Barrett's esophagus.
celiac disease.
strictures or narrowing of the esophagus.
blockages.
There is minimal recovery involved with the upper endoscopy procedure, and little discomfort.
Post-procedure symptoms may include grogginess from the sedation, a feeling of bloating, sore throat, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and mild pain where the IV was inserted.
These usually resolve within 48 hours.