Gastroscopy: Preparation, Pain and What It Can Detect

Upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) is a test in which the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera at its tip through the mouth or nose to examine the esophagus, the stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine [1]. You are usually required to fast for at least six hours beforehand, according to one source, or longer according to the center's instructions [1][2]. A numbing spray or a sedative is usually given. The test is not supposed to be painful, and a biopsy can be taken during it.

What Is Gastroscopy (Upper Endoscopy)?

It is a test that uses an instrument called an endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera, to view the lining of the esophagus, the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum [2]. It is also known as EGD or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and many people in Jordan simply call it a stomach scope.

It is usually performed by a gastroenterologist in a hospital or an outpatient procedure center [2]. For a brief definition of the term, see Gastroscopy explained, and for information about the organ itself, see Stomach definition.

The test is both diagnostic and therapeutic. In addition to examining the lining, the endoscope can be used to widen a narrowed esophagus, remove growths, or stop bleeding [1].

When Should a Gastroscopy Be Done?

The doctor decides whether the test is needed after taking a history and performing a clinical examination. The sources state that it is requested when symptoms are new, unexplained, or do not respond to treatment, including the following [2]:

• Black or tar-like stools, or vomiting blood.
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing, or a feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone.
• Heartburn or regurgitation of food.
• Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, or early feeling of fullness.
• Persistent nausea or vomiting.
• Anemia with no clear cause, or unexplained weight loss.

The doctor may also request the test for a patient with liver cirrhosis to check for esophageal varices that may bleed, for a patient with Crohn's disease who has upper gastrointestinal symptoms, or to follow up a previously diagnosed condition [2]. One of its aims is also to check for the possibility of certain types of cancer, such as stomach or esophageal cancer [1].

Being asked to have the test does not mean the problem is serious. The endoscope is a way to see the cause directly, whether it is a peptic ulcer, inflammation, or something else. To learn about a common cause of ulcers and stomach inflammation, read about H. pylori stomach bacteria.

How Do I Prepare for the Test? Fasting and Medications

After the appointment is scheduled, you should receive written or verbal instructions about the location and time of the test, when to stop eating and drinking, some medications that may be given to you beforehand, and when to expect the results [1]. Follow the instructions of the center performing the test, because the details may vary slightly.

Fasting

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) states that you should stop eating at least six hours before the test, though you may take small sips of water [1]. The American source advises not eating anything after midnight, or not eating for at least eight hours if the test is in the afternoon [2]. The practical takeaway: ask your center for the exact time, and do not rely on a general figure.

Medications and Special Cases

• Bring a list of all your medications and follow the center's instructions on taking them [1].
• Aspirin and blood thinners have special instructions before the test [2]. Do not stop them or change the dose on your own, and check with the doctor who prescribed them.
• Tell the medical team if you are pregnant [1].
• Dentures are removed before the procedure begins [2].
• If you will receive a sedative, arrange in advance for a companion who can take you home and stay with you [1].

If you are treating a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, ask your doctor how to take your medications on the day of the test instead of deciding on your own.

What Happens During the Test? What Are the Anesthesia Options?

Before starting, a nurse talks with you, asks about your health status and medical history, and then offers you options that make the test more comfortable [1]. The steps usually proceed as follows:

1. Your breathing, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen level are monitored throughout the procedure [2].
2. The sedative or spray is given according to the agreed option.
3. A mouthpiece is placed to protect your teeth and the endoscope, and you lie on your left side [2].
4. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, and in some cases through the nose, toward the stomach [1].
5. Air is pumped in so that the stomach expands and the doctor can see clearly [1].
6. The lining is examined, samples (biopsies) are taken when needed, and treatments such as esophageal dilation may be performed [2].

Practice varies between centers. The NHS states that you may be offered the spray or the sedative [1], while the American source describes intravenous sedation as the usual approach and the spray as a rare option [2]. Before the appointment, ask which option is available at the center and whether it suits your condition.

The procedure itself takes about 5 to 20 minutes according to the American source [2], and 15 to 45 minutes according to the NHS. You may stay in the hospital for about 4 hours from arrival until departure [1].

Is Gastroscopy Painful? What Will I Feel Afterward?

The test is not supposed to be painful, and you have the right to ask for it to be stopped at any moment [1]. You may feel the urge to vomit until the endoscope reaches the stomach, and the sedative helps prevent this [1]. You may feel bloated and burp because of the air, and you will not feel the biopsy being taken [1][2]. For more details, read Is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy painful?

After the Test

• You are taken to a recovery room, and you can go home once you feel able to, which happens for most people within hours [1].
• You may feel pain in the stomach or throat, which is normal and goes away within hours [1].
• Do not eat or drink until your gag reflex returns, so that you do not choke [2]. If a spray was used, wait one hour before eating or drinking [1].
• After a sedative, someone must accompany you and stay with you for 24 hours [1].
• For 24 hours after a sedative, avoid alcohol, driving, operating machinery, and signing important documents [1].

What Does Endoscopy Reveal, and How Are Biopsies and Results Read?

In a normal result, the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum is smooth and of normal color, with no bleeding, growths, ulcers, or inflammation [2]. Abnormal findings may indicate one of the following [2]:

• Esophagitis or gastritis.
• Reflux disease (GERD).
• An ulcer in the stomach or duodenum.
• A hiatal hernia.
• A narrowing of the esophagus.
• Esophageal varices caused by liver cirrhosis.
• A tear in the esophagus (Mallory-Weiss syndrome).
• Celiac disease.
• Tumors or cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

To learn more about the conditions a doctor may look for, see our pages on gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. In many cases, the test finds nothing to worry about [1].

The Biopsy and When the Result Appears

A biopsy is a small tissue sample that is examined under a microscope for signs of disease [2]. The doctor or nurse may explain what they saw before you leave, but the biopsy result requires waiting [1]. The NHS states that the result may take up to two months, and usually arrives within two weeks if doctors suspect cancer [1]. These timeframes are from the British health system and may differ in Jordan depending on the laboratory, so ask your doctor about the expected date and how to obtain the report.

Request a follow-up appointment to discuss the results and treatment options, and do not interpret the biopsy report on your own. If anxiety weighs on you while waiting, it helps to talk with someone you trust or with your doctor [1].

What Are the Risks of the Test, and When Should I See a Doctor or Go to the Emergency Room?

The test is common and simple, and complications are rare. They include a reaction to the sedative, bleeding in the stomach, and infection [1]. The American source mentions a small chance of a perforation in the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, and a small risk of bleeding at the biopsy site [2]. A medication reaction may cause breathing to stop or become difficult, excessive sweating, a drop in blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, and spasm of the larynx [2]. For this reason, your vital signs are monitored throughout the test.

Contact the Doctor or the Hospital Where the Test Was Done If

• A high fever appears, or you feel hot, cold, or shivering [1].
• Your stool becomes dark or black like tar [1].

Call 911 for an Ambulance or Go to the Nearest Emergency Department If

• Vomiting continues [1].
• You vomit blood [1].
• You experience shortness of breath [1].
• You have severe abdominal or chest pain, or pain that is getting worse [1].

Do not drive yourself to the emergency room. Ask someone to take you or call an ambulance, and bring your medications with you [1]. These warning signs also apply to any patient who, before the test, is vomiting blood or passing black stools, so do not wait for the scheduled appointment.

How Do I Choose the Right Doctor or Clinic in Jordan?

Start from the page Gastroenterology doctors in Jordan, then narrow your search by governorate, such as Amman, Irbid, or Zarqa. To learn about the procedure itself, you can visit the esophagogastroscopy service page. ClinicsJo is a directory for searching and contacting providers. It does not assess medical quality or rank doctors, so the decision is yours after reviewing the profile and asking the doctor.

What Should I Check in the Profile?

• The specialty (gastroenterology) and the experience listed for endoscopic procedures.
• The place where the test is performed: a clinic, a hospital, or a center, and whether there is a team to monitor the patient during sedation.
• The governorate, ease of access, working hours, and the contact or booking methods available in the profile.

Useful Questions Before the Appointment

1. How many hours exactly do I need to fast, and what should I do with my medications, including aspirin and blood thinners?
2. What anesthesia options are available, and will I need a companion?
3. Will samples (biopsies) be taken, and when and how will I receive the result?
4. What is the total cost, and what does it include?
5. What signs should prompt me to contact you after the test?

For a detailed review of the stages of the procedure and recovery, read our article Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, preparation and recovery. This information is educational and does not replace your doctor's assessment of your condition.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours do I fast before a gastroscopy?

Medical sources state that fasting lasts at least six hours, and may extend to eight hours or to after midnight if the test is in the afternoon. Small sips of water are usually allowed. Instructions vary between centers, so ask the center performing the test for the exact time and follow it.

Will I be numbed during a gastroscopy?

Usually a numbing throat spray or an intravenous sedative that helps you relax is offered, and you may not remember the test after the sedative. The option available differs between centers, so ask before the appointment which option suits your condition. If you receive a sedative, you will need a companion who stays with you after the test.

Can I drive after a gastroscopy?

If you received a sedative, no. It is advised to avoid driving, operating machinery, drinking alcohol, and signing important documents for 24 hours, and someone must take you home and stay with you. If only a throat spray was used, ask the medical team what suits your condition.

Can a gastroscopy cause a sore throat?

You may feel pain or roughness in the throat and pain in the stomach after the test. This is normal and usually goes away within hours. If a numbing spray was used, wait one hour before eating or drinking, and do not eat or drink until the swallowing reflex returns. See a doctor if a fever or severe pain appears.

How long does a biopsy result take?

The doctor may explain what they saw through the endoscope after the test, but the biopsy requires laboratory examination. In the British health system the wait may be up to two months, and shorter if cancer is suspected. In Jordan the timeframe varies by laboratory, so ask your doctor about the expected date.

When should I go to the emergency room after a gastroscopy?

Go immediately to the nearest emergency department or call an ambulance on 911 if vomiting continues, if you vomit blood, if you experience shortness of breath, or if you have severe or worsening abdominal or chest pain. If a high fever or black stool appears, contact the doctor or the hospital immediately.

Sources and references

1. Gastroscopy — NHS (UK National Health Service). Accessed: 2026-10-26.
2. EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed: 2026-10-26.