Why it's done
- Difficulty or pain swallowing, persistent vomiting
- Upper-belly pain or indigestion that isn't settling, especially after 45–50 or with warning signs
- Anaemia, black stools or vomiting blood
- Checking for H. pylori, coeliac disease, ulcers or Barrett's oesophagus
- Checking or treating varices in liver disease
It's not a routine yearly check-up test for people without symptoms or risk.
How to prepare
Usually nothing to eat for 6 hours and clear water up to 2 hours before. Tell us about diabetes medicines and blood thinners in advance; they may need adjusting. Full details are on preparing for your procedure.
What it feels like
Your throat is numbed with a spray and most people also have light sedation. The scope goes down the food pipe, not the windpipe, so you breathe normally. You may feel some pressure or the urge to burp. Many people remember very little of it.
Risks
Upper endoscopy is very safe. A sore throat for a day is common. Serious problems such as bleeding after a biopsy, a reaction to sedation, or a tear are rare. The risk is a little higher when treatment (like dilatation) is done at the same time.
Afterwards
If you had sedation, rest for the day: no driving, no important decisions. Most people eat normally within an hour or two. Biopsy results usually take a few days, and most biopsies are routine and normal.