It is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible probe that has a small camera at its end. This instrument is called an endoscope.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything before most endoscopy studies. That is, you must go fasting.

Before an evaluation of the lower digestive tract, you may be asked to use enemas or laxatives to cleanse the large intestine.

Most studies are performed under appropriate anesthetic sedation, in order to sedate or relax it, so you will feel little or no discomfort.

Sometimes, an aerosol is also used to numb the throat.