Version July 2025
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What is upper endoscopy? —
This is a procedure to look at the lining of the upper digestive tract (figure 1). The upper digestive tract includes the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
You might have an upper endoscopy if you have:
●Unexplained pain in your upper belly
●Acid reflux (when acid that is normally in the stomach backs up into the esophagus)
●Nausea and vomiting that has lasted a long time
●Diarrhea that has lasted a long time
●Black bowel movements, or blood in your vomit
●Trouble swallowing, or feeling like food gets stuck in your throat
●Abnormal results from other tests of your digestive system
●Swallowed a non-food object
●Had growths or ulcers in your digestive tract, and your doctor wants to follow up
How do I prepare for an upper endoscopy? —
Your doctor will give you instructions about what to do to prepare.
Before the procedure, your doctor will do an exam. In some cases, they might also send you to get blood tests or other tests.
Your doctor will also ask you about your "health history." This involves asking you questions about any health problems you have or had in the past, past surgeries, and any medicines you take. Tell them about:
●Any medicines you are taking – This includes any prescription or "over-the-counter" medicines you use, plus any herbal supplements you take. It helps to write down and bring a list of any medicines you take, or bring a bag with all your medicines with you.
●Any allergies you have
●Any bleeding problems you have – Certain medicines, including some herbs and supplements, can increase the risk of bleeding. Some health conditions also increase this risk.
You will also get information about:
●Eating and drinking before your procedure – You might need to "fast" before the procedure. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time. Or you might be allowed to have liquids until a short time before the procedure. Whether you need to fast, and for how long, depends on the procedure.
●What help you will need when you go home – For example, you might need to have someone else bring you home or stay with you for some time while you recover.
Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.
What happens during an upper endoscopy? —
When it is time for the procedure:
●You will get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. This can be used to give you fluids and medicines.
●You will get medicines through the IV to make you feel drowsy and relaxed. In some cases, doctors might use anesthesia to put you to sleep for the procedure.
●The doctor will put a thin tube with a camera and light on the end into your mouth. They will put the tube down into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. They will look for irritation, bleeding, ulcers, or growths.
During an upper endoscopy, your doctor might also:
●Do a biopsy – Your doctor will take a small sample of tissue from the lining of your digestive tract. (You will not feel this.) Then, they will look at the sample under a microscope.
●Treat any problems they see – For example, the doctor can stop bleeding or sometimes remove a growth. They can also widen any narrow areas of your esophagus. Narrow areas of the esophagus can cause trouble swallowing.
An upper endoscopy usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
What happens after an upper endoscopy? —
You will be taken to a recovery room. The staff will watch you closely as your anesthesia wears off.
As you recover:
●You might feel groggy or confused for a short time.
●You might feel bloated.
●Most people can eat as usual.
●If you got medicines to help you relax, your doctor will recommend you do not drive or go to work for the rest of the day.
●Your doctor will tell you when to start taking any medicines you had to stop before the test.
What are the risks of upper endoscopy? —
Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:
●Food from the stomach getting into the lungs
●Bleeding, for example, after a growth is removed
●Getting a tear in the digestive tract lining
●Redness or swelling of the skin around the IV
When should I call my doctor or nurse? —
Call your doctor or nurse immediately if you have any of these problems after the upper endoscopy:
●Belly pain that is much worse than gas pain or cramps
●A bloated and hard belly
●Vomiting
●Fever
●Trouble swallowing, or severe throat pain
●Black bowel movements
●A "crunching" feeling under the skin in your neck
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Nausea and vomiting in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Peptic ulcers (The Basics)
Patient education: H. pylori infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Barrett's esophagus (The Basics)
Patient education: Hiatal hernia (The Basics)
Patient education: Achalasia (The Basics)
Patient education: Esophagitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Gastrointestinal tract perforation (The Basics)
Patient education: Thickening liquids (The Basics)
Patient education: Endoscopic ultrasound (The Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
