An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined internally using an endoscope.
An endoscopy is usually carried out while a person is awake. Before the procedure, a sedative (medication that has a calming effect) may be given to help the patient relax.
Endoscope
An endoscope is a thin, long, flexible tube that has a light source and a video camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to an external television screen.
Endoscopes can be inserted into the body through a natural opening, such as through your throat or anus (the opening through which stools are passed out of the body). Alternatively, it can be inserted through a small surgical incision (cut) that is made in the skin.
When is an endoscopy used?
Endoscopies are used mainly to help diagnose health conditions, such as incontinence and urinary tract infections (UTIs). See Why endoscopy is necessary for more information.
Some specially adapted endoscopes can be used to treat certain conditions, such as gallstones.
See the Health A-Z topics about Diagnostic endoscopy and Therapeutic endoscopy for more information about these specific types of endoscopies.
Continue to next section: Why an endoscopy is necessary