The images are viewed on a video monitor in the exam room. If your doctor sees anything unusual, such as polyps or cancer, he or she passes special surgical tools through the endoscope to remove tissue or collect a sample to examine it more closely.

The examination is very quick and takes on average 3-5 minutes to complete. This is not a painful procedure. Most patients are sensitive to the camera passing down the throat, so anaesthetic throat spray and a light sedative injection can make examination much more comfortable.

Your gastroenterologist may recommend that you get an endoscopy if you are dealing with: Unexplained abdominal pain. Persistent bowel changes (diarrhea; constipation) Chronic heartburn or chest pain.

If you are having a general anaesthetic, then you will be asleep during the whole procedure and wake up once it is finished. If you are not having a general anaesthetic, you will be given a local anaesthetic where the endoscope will be inserted to numb the area and make the procedure easier.