This Health Fact will give you health and safety guidelines to follow at home after an upper endoscopy.
What to Expect
After your endoscopy you may have:
Mild sore throat: Gargle with lightly salted water or suck on hard candy for relief.
Gas pains or fullness.
Chest pain: This should go away within 24 hours.
Redness/soreness at IV site: Use a warm, moist washcloth for relief. Call your primary doctor if this does not get better in a couple of days.
Preventing Falls
You are at an increased risk of falling after sedation. You may need help with things you don’t normally need help with. Falls can result in serious injury.
To prevent a fall:
Ask for help.
Get up slowly.
Wear your glasses.
Use your cane or walker.
Activity
No driving for 24 hours.
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not take tranquilizers or sleeping pills the first night. You may resume all other normal medicines unless told otherwise.
Do not make any important personal or business decisions today.
Rest today. You may resume your normal daily tasks the next day.
Diet
You may resume your normal diet if you have had a routine endoscopy and were not given other instructions. Start with a light diet to prevent nausea. Follow your doctor’s diet instructions if you had a dilation or a banding of varices.
Results
If the doctor took biopsies, you will get the results in the mail in 1-2 weeks. If you do not get the letter after 2 weeks, call the clinic. Ask for your doctor’s nurse.
When to Call
Vomited blood
Dizziness
Bloody or black tarry stools
Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Fever or chills
Trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing
Trouble breathing
Who to Call
Digestive Health Center
750 University Row Madison, WI
(608) 890-5000
(855) 342-9900
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics GI Procedure Clinic 600 Highland Avenue Madison, WI (608) 263-8097 (800) 323-8942
Meriter Hospital Digestive Health Center Lower Level 202 S. Park Street Madison, WI (608) 417-6389
After clinic hours, leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you are a patient receiving care at UnityPoint – Meriter, Swedish American or a health system outside of UW Health, please use the phone numbers provided in your discharge instructions for any questions or concerns.