Is Endoscopy Painful? - Does It Hurt or Not

During an endoscopy, an endoscope, a long, flexible tube, is put inside the patient's body through the oral cavity (mouth) or anal opening. There is a tiny video camera attached to the head of the endoscope. This video camera records a video of the patient’s inner body parts, with the help of which the doctors diagnose the patient’s health issues, if any. In addition, the endoscope also comprises extensions, which may help to remove abnormal growths, such as polyps, from the patient’s inner body parts. 

An endoscopy is not a painful procedure. In fact, healthcare providers have now started using sedatives to make the patient sleepy.

After learning about the procedure, it is obvious to think about whether endoscopy is painful or not. Here’s one thing people must know: Although it might be a little uncomfortable, endoscopy is not painful.

Based on the body parts, there are different types of endoscopy. A few of them are given below:

1. Upper endoscopy/ Gastroscopy: Endoscopy of the oesophagus, intestine, and stomach (done through the oral cavity). 
2. Hysteroscopy: An endoscopy to check the womb (done through the vagina).
3. Colonoscopy: An endoscopy to check the colon and rectum (done through the anal opening).
4. Cystoscopy: An endoscopy to examine the bladder (done through the urethra).
5. Colposcopy: An endoscopy to examine the cervix (done through the vagina).

These endoscopy tests are not painful.  Moreover, endoscopy does not take longer than 15 to 30 minutes. Hence, patients should also not worry about how long endoscopy takes. While endoscopy is not painful, it can be a bit uncomfortable. Often, patients also develop severe anxiety due to the fear of endoscopy. Nevertheless, they can adopt a few measures to make their endoscopy test go smoother, which are discussed below.

Although endoscopy is not painful, like any other procedure, some patients may face the following problems after an endoscopy. 

1. Tears/perforation in the gastrointestinal tract: Although it is rare, the patient’s oesophagus and other gastrointestinal parts may get torn during an endoscopy. 
2. Infection: There is a small risk of infection from the endoscope or from the instruments used during the procedure. 
3. Reaction to Anesthesia: Oftentimes, the sedation and anaesthesia used during endoscopy causes reaction. However, this rarely happens, and patients should not worry about it. 
4. Bleeding: The endoscope can cause bleeding if it accidentally damages a blood vessel. This bleeding can be minor and stop on its own, or it may require treatment with medication or a procedure to stop the bleeding.

These problems could be minimised if patients communicate with their healthcare provider properly and inform him/ her about their underlying illnesses in advance. 

There are several remedies that can be used to minimise pain after an endoscopy:

1. Medications: Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to help manage any discomfort you may experience after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also be used.
2. Rest: It is important to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a day or two after the procedure to allow your body to heal.
3. Ice packs: Applying an ice pack to the area of discomfort can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
4. Drinking fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids can help to prevent dehydration and keep you well-hydrated.
5. Eating a well-balanced diet: Eating a well-balanced diet that is high in fibre can help to prevent constipation, which can be a common side effect of endoscopy.
6. Breathing exercises: Practising deep breathing and relaxation techniques can help to reduce stress and promote healing.
7. Follow-up with your doctor: Make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss your recovery and any concerns you may have.

It's important to note that the discomfort and pain after endoscopy vary from person to person. If you find that the pain is severe or persistent, please consult your doctor for further guidance.

In order to recover quickly and safely after an endoscopy, patients must not do the following things:

1. Talk to the doctor: Patients undergoing an endoscopy must talk to their doctor to learn the complete procedure of the endoscopy test. Being well-informed about tests like endoscopy helps tremendously. Therefore, set an appointment with the doctor and clear the queries. It’s best to write down the queries on paper or mobile to avoid forgetting them.
2. Ease the anxiety: Often, patients become anxious before undergoing medical tests, such as endoscopy. However, they can ease their anxiety levels with the following steps: 
   1. Do not listen to stories: Patients must avoid listening to stories that negatively impact endoscopy on their brains. With that said, do not listen to people telling their ‘made-up’ stories about endoscopies. In addition, don’t read negative stuff in magazines and even google. Remember that not every website and every person is reliable. 
   2. Listen to music: Listening to music can help decrease anxiety levels. Even studies have proven that relaxing music (RM) helps lower stress. However, one can listen to any song or music which makes them happy.  
   3. Take proper sleep: Patients must take at least eight hours of sleep the night before undergoing the endoscopy test. It is less likely for the patients to be stressed when they sleep.
   4. Have a conversation: Sometimes, a mindful conversation with someone may help to ease anxiety. That being said, patients should have a healthy discussion regarding endoscopy with their parents, relative, or close friend. It would be best if patients arrive for an endoscopy with their close friend or relative. 

Things to avoid after Endoscopy:

1. Lift heavy equipment for 48 hours
2. Drive for 48 hours
3. Consume alcohol for 24 hours
4. Drink or eat for a few hours (until swallowing becomes normal).

It's worth noting that these side effects are usually temporary and should resolve within a few days after the procedure. If you experience any severe side effects or if your symptoms persist, please consult your doctor for further guidance. Some side Effects of Endoscopy include:

1. Bleeding 
2. Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract
3. Infection
4. Trouble swallowing
5. Chest pain
6. Vomiting
7. Sore throat
8. Bloating

Although an endoscopy diagnostic test is completely safe, one must seek urgent medical care if he/ she experiences the following symptoms:

1. Trouble breathing
2. Chest pain
3. Difficulty swallowing
4. Blood in stool
5. Dark or tar-coloured stools
6. Vomiting blood
7. Severe abdominal pain
8. Fever/ chills

The endoscopy test is not painful. But it can be slightly uncomfortable for some patients. Nevertheless, you can reduce the discomfort by talking to your loved ones, discussing with your doctor, and taking sedatives during the endoscopy procedure. 

If you or your loved ones have to undergo an endoscopy, it’s normal to feel anxious. But you can reduce this discomfort by talking to a doctor/ endoscopist. You can also contact us at HexaHealth and take advice from a team of experienced doctors. The first call is absolutely free of cost. Register right away.