An endoscopy uses a flexible tube equipped with a camera to examine the body’s interior, most commonly the digestive tract. This procedure helps doctors diagnose or treat conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, or colon. Although the procedure is brief, following specific post-procedure instructions regarding sedation, diet, and activity supports a quick and successful recovery.
Immediate Effects of Sedation
Most endoscopy procedures use conscious sedation to keep the patient relaxed and comfortable. These medications, often administered intravenously, produce an altered state of consciousness and temporary memory loss. Patients are monitored in a recovery area until the immediate effects of the sedative wear off, which typically takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Even when feeling mentally alert, the sedative agents significantly impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment for up to 24 hours. Operating any machinery, including driving a motor vehicle, is strictly prohibited for the remainder of the day due to this impairment. A responsible adult must be designated to drive you home and supervise you during the first several hours of recovery.
This impairment means activities requiring fine motor skills or executive function are unsafe. For the full 24-hour period, patients should avoid consuming alcohol. They must also avoid signing legal documents or making significant personal or financial decisions while the residual effects clear from the system.
Managing Common Post-Procedure Discomfort
An upper endoscopy often causes a sore throat, scratchiness, or mild hoarseness due to the endoscope passing through the mouth. This discomfort typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. To soothe the irritation, patients can suck on lozenges, gargle with warm salt water, or sip warm, non-acidic tea.
Patients may also notice temporary fullness, bloating, or mild abdominal cramping. This occurs because gas is introduced into the digestive tract during the procedure to expand the viewing area. Walking around gently helps the body pass the trapped gas, which should alleviate the discomfort within a few hours. Mild nausea is possible, and if persistent, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.
Safe Return to Normal Activities and Diet
Reintroducing food and drink must be done carefully to prevent digestive tract irritation. After an upper endoscopy, patients should wait until the swallowing reflex has fully returned, typically one to two hours after the procedure, especially if a numbing spray was used. The initial diet should begin with small sips of clear liquids like water, broth, or juice.
Once fluids are tolerated, the diet should gradually progress to soft, easily digestible foods for the first 24 to 48 hours. Examples of soft foods include:
- Soup
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Eggs
- Plain crackers
Patients should temporarily avoid spicy, greasy, acidic, or difficult-to-digest foods, such as fatty meats, as these can irritate the stomach lining. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and intense exercise should be avoided for the rest of the day, with a full return to normal physical activity safe the day after the procedure.
Recognizing Serious Warning Signs
While most recoveries are uncomplicated, recognizing symptoms that suggest a potential complication is important for patient safety. Severe, persistent abdominal pain that worsens over time, or chest pain that does not resolve within 24 hours, requires immediate medical attention. These symptoms can indicate a rare but serious complication, such as a tear or perforation in the gastrointestinal tract lining.
Signs of bleeding, such as vomiting blood, material resembling coffee grounds, or passing black, tarry, or bloody stools, should not be ignored. Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) accompanied by chills can signal an infection requiring prompt medical evaluation. Patients experiencing persistent difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, or vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down should contact their healthcare provider immediately or go to an emergency department.