Endoscopy

What is an Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a sophisticated, minimally invasive medical procedure that allows our specialist consultants to diagnose and treat conditions throughout your digestive system. They use an endoscope: a thin, flexible tube that contains a small high-definition camera. The term 'endoscopy' encompasses various procedures, including gastroscopy (upper endoscopy), colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and other specialised examinations, each designed to access different areas of your body through natural openings without needing external incisions. 

Early diagnosis is vital to improving health outcomes. Yet there is normally a six-week wait for an NHS endoscopy¹. That’s why LivingCare provides accessible endoscopy at a time and place that suits you.

LivingCare offers comprehensive endoscopy services at our state-of-the-art facilities in Leeds (Thorpe Park Clinic) and Sheffield (Canon Medical Arena. This ensures convenient access to expert diagnostic care across Yorkshire. Our experienced endoscopists perform thousands of procedures annually, utilising the latest Olympus EVIS X1 endoscopy technology to deliver unparalleled image quality and patient comfort.

Types of endoscopy available at LivingCare

Upper Endoscopy:

• Gastroscopy: Examining the oesophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine

Lower Endoscopy:

• Colonoscopy: Complete large bowel examination
• Sigmoidoscopy: Lower bowel and rectum assessment

Why You Might Need an Endoscopy

Diagnosing conditions

Upper endoscopies diagnose conditions if you suffer from specific upper digestive tract symptoms. This could be persitent heartburn, or a feeling of food sticking in your throat. You may be experiencing unexplained weight loss or anaemia. Some people with upper abdominal pain or suspected stomach ulcers use an endoscopy to locate the source. 

Lower endoscopies focus on diagnosing conditions related to lower digestive tract and bowel symptoms. Suppose you have unexplained changes in your bowel habits, diarrhoea or constipation that won’t go away, rectal bleeding or abdominal pain – you may have an endoscopy to diagnose your problem. 

Giving treatments

Upper and lower endoscopies can administer treatments to your digestive system. These include polyp removal, biopsies, managing bleeds, removing foreign bodies and relieving obstructions.

Studies show that endoscopic procedures can detect gastrointestinal cancers with over 95% accuracy, with early detection improving survival rates by up to 80% compared to late-stage diagnosis.

How an Endoscopy Works

Our endoscopy suites feature the latest technological advances. These include the Olympus EVIS X1 systems, which give us next-generation image processing in 4K resolution. Our high-definition cameras use enhanced visuals for improved tissue detail, helping us diagnose more accurately.

What to Expect When Receiving an Endoscopy

Before Your Appointment

An initial consultation will discuss your symptoms and medical history in detail, evaluate your risk of complications, and help you choose the most appropriate and beneficial examination type.

If you are going to have an upper endoscopy, you’ll be expected to fast for 6 hours, and only drink clear fluids until 2 hours before the appointment. You can continue regular medications unless advised otherwise. 

For a lower endoscopy, you must switch to a low-fibre diet for 24-48 hours before your appointment, and take any special cleansing preparations LivingCare recommends to help clear the bowel. We will discuss specific instructions for things like blood thinners and diabeted medications with you in person. 

Sedation Options Available

Sedation Choices:

• Conscious sedation: Twilight sedation with midazolam and fentanyl
• Local anaesthetic: Throat spray for upper procedures, anal gel for lower
• No sedation: Fully alert throughout (preferred by some patients)

During Your Appointment

Procedure timeline:

• Upper endoscopy: 5-15 minutes typically
• Colonoscopy: 15-45 minutes average
• Combined procedures: 30-60 minutes
• Total visit time: 2-4 hours, including preparation and recovery

During Your Endoscopy

Your experienced consultant will talk you through each step of the procedure as it happens, making sure you are comfortable. You can have the option to view the screen during the procedure, if you wish. After the procedure, your consultant will explain what they have seen and talk about next steps if needed. 

After Your Appointment

After your procedure, you'll be taken to a recovery room where we can monitor your vital signs until you're stable and alert. Your consultant will discuss the initial findings with you before you're discharged.

Without sedation, you can immediately resume normal activities, drive home and return to work the same day. If you receive sedation, you'll need someone to drive you home and avoid alcohol or important decisions for 24 hours. Most patients return to work the next day.

Risks and Complications of an Endoscopy

LivingCare maintains exceptional safety standards, but minor side effects may be common and temporary. These include a sore throat after upper endoscopy (resolves within hours), bloating from air insufflation, and mild sedation effects (monitored until resolution).

In rare cases, complications may include perforation of the examined organ, bleeding and an adverse reaction to sedation. 

How to Recover Following an Endoscopy

We know it’s normal to ask questions and share concerns after your procedure, so we provide a 24-hour contact number for immediate issues. You'll receive your full written report before leaving the department, and if any biopsies were taken, these results are typically available within 7-10 days (Private) and 6 - 8 weeks (NHS). Any necessary follow-up appointments will be scheduled based on your findings and treatment needs.

References

• ‍NHS, Endoscopy
• ‍British Society of Gastroenterology

 ¹https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/endoscopy/appointments‍