You should consult a gastroenterologist if you experience any of the following symptoms: Difficulty in swallowing / painful swallowing Abdominal pain (burning / cramps / dull persistent pain) Vomiting Acidity (heartburn, reflux, regurgitation, burning sensation in the upper abdomen) Bloating / excess belching (burping), fullness / heaviness in the stomach, passing a lot of wind from the bottom Change in bowel habits - constipation or diarrhea Constipation - hard stools, incomplete evacuation, excess straining during defecation Blood in stools, swelling over the anal region, pain at the anal region Black stools, coffee colored or fresh red vomitus Early satiety (inability to complete meals), loss of appetite, weight loss Jaundice (yellow discoloration of eyes and urine), itching over the body Any new onset lump over the abdomen 'Fatty liver' on abdominal sonography and any derangement in liver function tests on a routine health check-up

Esophageal diseases – candidiasis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia cardia, pill esophagitis, esophageal strictures, esophageal cancer Stomach diseases – Peptic ulcer disease, stomach polyps, H. pylori related gastritis, stomach cancer Small intestinal diseases – inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease), small intestinal ulcers, lymphoma, celiac disease, worm infestation Large intestinal/Ano-rectal diseases – Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis), colon cancer, hemorrhoids (piles), anal fissure, colonic polyps, colonic diverticulosis Liver diseases – Viral Hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, chronic liver disease, alcohol associated liver diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver abscess, liver cancer Biliary diseases – gall stones, bile duct stones, bile duct strictures, bile duct / gall bladder cancers Pancreatic diseases – acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer Miscellaneous – corrosive injury to the GI tract, foreign body ingestion, food allergy, food intolerance, etc.

Endoscopy is not a painful procedure. It can be done both under local anesthesia as well as general anesthesia. Local anesthesia – You will be given a local anesthetic spray which temporarily numbs your throat so that you can tolerate the upper GI endoscopy procedure. The procedure lasts for about 5–10 mins after which the throat regains its sensation. General anesthesia – For children and for anxious adults, upper GI endoscopy can be performed under short sedation using intravenous anesthesia so that you are asleep during the duration of the procedure. We routinely use carbon dioxide instead of air for insufflation during the endoscopy procedure which significantly reduces discomfort and bloating associated with endoscopy procedure. Colonoscopy also can be similarly performed both with and without sedation or anesthesia depending upon patient’s comfort.

You do not require hospitalization for diagnostic upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. These are day care procedures which can be performed on an out-patient basis.