Endoscopy is a procedure that involves the use of an endoscope, which is a flexible tube equipped with a light and camera, to visualize the interior of a hollow organ or cavity in the body. It allows healthcare providers to examine, diagnose, and sometimes treat conditions affecting upper GI system.


To investigate symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or other abnormalities. Endoscopy can help diagnose conditions like ulcers, tumors, infections, or inflammatory diseases.

It can also be used for therapeutic purposes, such as removing polyps, taking biopsies, or performing procedures like dilation of strictures or cauterization of bleeding vessels.

The duration varies depending on the type of endoscopy, but it typically lasts from 15 minutes to an hour.
After the procedure, patients may feel groggy if sedation was used. They might also experience mild bloating or cramping, especially after gastrointestinal endoscopies. Most can return to normal activities within a day.
Patients are typically advised to refrain from eating or drinking for a specified time before the procedure. The exact timing depends on the type of endoscopy being performed.