Endoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a flexible tube with a light and camera called an endoscope to look inside your body. This minimally invasive tool provides real-time images that help your provider diagnose and sometimes treat various conditions without major surgery.
Why endoscopy matters
Endoscopy helps your health care team find and treat problems inside your body without the need for large incisions. It’s commonly used across many specialties, including:
- Gastroenterology (digestive health)
- Pulmonology (lungs and airways)
- Orthopedics (bones, muscles and joints)
- Urology (urinary system)
- Neurology (brain and nervous system)
- Gynecology (women’s reproductive health)
- Otolaryngology (ENT - ears, nose and throat)
Benefits of endoscopy include:
- More accurate diagnosis: Providers can see inside your body directly and take tissue samples (biopsies) to send to a lab.
- Less invasive care: Most procedures involve smaller cuts (incisions) or sometimes none at all. This usually means a faster recovery, fewer complications and less pain.
- On-the-spot treatment: Endoscopy can also be used to treat problems during the same procedure, such as removing polyps or stopping internal bleeding.
- Early detection: Finding signs of disease, like cancer, early allows providers to start treatment sooner for better outcomes.
- Personalized care: Real-time images help providers tailor treatments to your unique needs.
Types of endoscopy procedures
There are many types of endoscopy. The kind used depends on which part of your body your provider needs to examine or treat.
- Anoscope: Views the rectum and anus
- Capsule endoscopy: Swallowed capsule camera to check the small intestine
- Colonoscope: Views the colon and rectum
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Checks the bile and pancreatic ducts
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): Combines endoscopy and ultrasound for better imaging of digestive organs
- Enteroscope: Looks at the small intestine
- Upper endoscope: Examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
- Sigmoidoscope: Focuses on the sigmoid colon and rectum
Neurological (brain and nervous system)
- Neuroendoscope: Helps view and sometimes treat issues in the brain and ventricles
Orthopedic and joint (muscles and bones)
- Arthroscope (joint endoscopy): Used inside joints, such as the knee or shoulder
- Orthopedic endoscopy: Treats problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones
What to expect before, during and after an endoscopy
Before your endoscopy
Prep depends on the type of procedure. It may involve:
- Fasting: You may need to stop eating and drinking for several hours beforehand.
- Cleansing the area: If the procedure involves your digestive tract, you might take a laxative.
- Medication adjustments: Your provider may have you stop or change the dose of blood thinners or other medications. Never stop medications without guidance.
- Transportation: If you’re sedated, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
During your endoscopy
Most procedures are done as outpatient care and take 30 minutes to two hours.
- Sedation or anesthesia: You may get medications to help you relax or sleep.
- Scope insertion: The endoscope is gently guided into your body through your mouth, nose, rectum or a small incision - depending on the procedure.
- Diagnosis and treatment: Your provider may take biopsies or treat issues on the spot, such as removing growths or stopping bleeding.
After your endoscopy
If you had sedation, you’ll spend time in a recovery area before going home. You may feel sleepy or groggy for the rest of the day.
Your provider will explain:
- What to expect as you recover
- Whether you need to adjust your diet or activity
- If you’ll need any pain medication
When to call your provider
Most people recover quickly with no problems. But call your provider if you have:
- Ongoing belly pain
- Black or bloody stool (poop)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fever or chills
- A cough that won’t go away or coughing up blood
- No bowel movement within three days
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you experience:
- Sudden chest pain
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing or gasping for air
- Sudden loss of consciousness
Expert care at Banner Health
Endoscopy is a safe and effective way to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions without major surgery. At Banner Health, we use advanced endoscopic tools and the latest techniques to support your care. From diagnosis to treatment and recovery, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to learn more or schedule your procedure? Find a Banner Health location near you.
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