Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure where a flexible tube called an endoscope is inserted into your throat down into the esophagus to examine the digestive tract.

Endoscopy is recommended when the doctor has to evaluate certain conditions, such as ulcers, difficulty swallowing, gastritis, chronic heartburn, digestive tract bleeding, and when you have intense abdominal pain.

Endoscopy is a quick procedure that is usually completed within 15 to 45 mins.

You will be told not to eat and drink anything before 8 hours of the endoscopy test.

You would feel slightly uncomfortable after an endoscopy procedure. Some of the possible side effects include throat pain, difficulty swallowing, pain in the stomach, vomiting blood, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Endoscopy is a simple diagnostic procedure where a person can get back to work the next morning of the test.

It is an outpatient procedure where you can go home on the same day after 1 to 2 hours of the test.

Usually, an endoscopy procedure isn’t painful. However, you might feel mild discomfort when an endoscope is sent through your throat.

When you are back to normal and relieved from sedation, you can sip water and take some liquids. For the next 24 hours of the procedure, try to stay on soft and easily digestible foods.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a test that helps to diagnose and treat problems in the gastrointestinal system, which includes liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas.

ERCP method can be used to find and remove gallstones that normally clog the bile duct.

ERCP is an outpatient procedure, which takes anywhere between half an hour to one and half hours.

ERCP can result in mild side effects that are usually manageable. Some of the common side effects are fever or chills, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

The recovery from the ERCP procedure usually varies from a few hours to a few days. One should avoid driving or working for 24 hours after the procedure.

As a large volume of air is insufflated during an ERCP procedure, it can result in painful spasms and bowel distention.

Colonoscopy is a procedure that examines the large intestine where a doctor uses a flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to it.

Colonoscopy is done to check for polyps and possible signs of colorectal cancer, such as rectal bleeding, blood in stools, constipation, chronic diarrhea, and intestinal problems.

You would be advised not to take any solid foods before 24 hours of colonoscopy. Instead, you can drink clear soups and juice.

It typically takes 30-60 minutes to complete a colonoscopy test.

Colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure and you can go home within a few hours of the test once you are eased from the sedative.

You might feel temporary abdominal pain, nausea, bloatedness, and a small amount of blood coming out from your rectum after the procedure.