Is Endoscopy Painful?

People often wonder if getting an endoscopy hurts, especially when their doctor tells them they need one. Many people hear different things from others and get confused. This blog wants to clear up any confusion about whether endoscopy is uncomfortable or not.

What Is Endoscopy?

In case you don’t know what and endoscopy is we got you. Endoscopy is a way for doctors to look inside your body. They use a special tube with a camera and light on it.

This tube is put into your body through a natural opening like your mouth or bottom, or sometimes through a small cut.

The Sensation During the Procedure

The feeling that is experienced by a patient during an endoscopy varies from person to person. Some describe it as a mild discomfort, similar to pressure or fullness, rather than acute pain.

The sensations often depend on the type of endoscopy being conducted; for example, a gastroscopy may be more uncomfortable for some compared to a colonoscopy.

Anesthesia and Sedation: Minimizing Discomfort

To reduce the discomfort that might be there at the time of the procedure, doctors usually tend to make use of a local anesthetic to numb the region or sedatives to help the patient relax. These medications minimize any distress, and many patients even fall asleep during the procedure.

After the Procedure: What to Expect

Post-procedure, patients might feel slightly bloated or experience minor cramping. However, these symptoms are generally short-lived and resolve naturally within a few hours. It is rare for someone to describe the after-effects as severely painful.

Conclusion

So, is endoscopy painful? For the majority, the answer is no. It’s more likely to be a general discomfort of any sort that is managed effectively through anesthesia or sedation.

Dr. Kailash Mishra
Director & Gastroenterologist Consultant
Prime Gastro Liver Clinic