Endoscopy in Pokhara — HD Upper GI Endoscopy (Gastroscopy)

What is endoscopy?

Endoscopy in Pokhara at Kaligandaki Diagnostic and Research Center (KDRC) is an upper gastrointestinal (GI) examination in which a specialist doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a light and a high-definition camera through the mouth to look directly at the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and duodenum. Doctors also call it gastroscopy, upper GI endoscopy or OGD/EGD (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy). Many patients in Nepal simply say "इन्डोस्कोपी".

The images appear live on a monitor, magnified and in colour. Because the doctor sees the lining itself rather than a shadow or a reconstruction, endoscopy can show inflammation, ulcers, bleeding points, narrowing and small growths that other tests may miss. If an area looks abnormal, a tiny tissue sample (a biopsy) can be taken through the same scope during the same visit.

Endoscopy uses no X-rays and no radiation. The procedure itself is short: the NIDDK describes it as typically taking 10 to 20 minutes, and the NHS gives a range of 15 to 45 minutes depending on what is done. Most people go home a short while after the procedure.

Why do doctors recommend an upper GI endoscopy?

Doctors recommend an upper GI endoscopy to find the cause of persistent or unexplained symptoms in the upper digestive tract and to check known conditions. MedlinePlus lists new, unexplained or treatment-resistant symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, early fullness, unexplained anaemia or weight loss, and upper abdominal pain as common reasons. The NIDDK adds conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coeliac disease, Barrett's oesophagus and cancer.

The table below links common symptoms to what the endoscopist looks for.

Endoscopy is a diagnostic test first. Through the same instrument, some problems can also be treated in general practice, for example stopping bleeding from an ulcer or removing a small polyp, as the NIDDK describes. If you need a specific treatment, ask our team whether it can be done at KDRC or whether you will be referred.

Gastroscopy vs ultrasound vs CT: which test answers which question?

Gastroscopy is the best test for looking at the inner lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, while ultrasound and CT are better for organs and structures outside that lining. Doctors often combine them. Knowing the difference helps you understand why you were referred for one test and not another.

Lower GI tests such as colonoscopy examine the large bowel instead and need bowel preparation. This page covers upper GI endoscopy. If your doctor has asked for a colonoscopy, please ask our team whether it is offered before you book.

How to prepare for an endoscopy

An empty stomach is the most important preparation for endoscopy, because it keeps you safe and gives the doctor a clear view. The NHS advises stopping food at least 6 hours beforehand, with small sips of water sometimes allowed; the NIDDK notes doctors may ask you to avoid food and drink for up to 8 hours. For a morning appointment, this usually means no food after the evening meal. Follow the exact instructions our staff give you when you book.

What happens during an endoscopy at KDRC?

An endoscopy at KDRC is a short outpatient procedure: you are checked in, your throat is numbed, the scope is passed while you lie on your left side, and you rest briefly before going home. Here is the typical sequence.

1. Check-in and consent. Staff confirm your fasting, medicines and allergies, and the doctor explains the procedure and asks for your written consent.
2. Throat spray. A local anaesthetic spray numbs the back of your mouth and throat. If sedation is being considered, the doctor discusses it with you first.
3. Positioning. You lie on your left side and a plastic mouthguard protects your teeth and the scope.
4. The examination. The doctor guides the scope down. A little air is used to open up the stomach, so you may feel bloating. You can breathe normally.
5. Samples if needed. Biopsies are taken painlessly through the scope; MedlinePlus notes you will not feel them.
6. Recovery. You rest until the numbness fades and you feel well enough to leave.

Is endoscopy painful? Throat spray and sedation

Endoscopy should not be painful; the NHS states this directly, and most people describe pressure, gagging or bloating rather than pain. The numbing spray can make swallowing feel strange for a short time, and the air used to open the stomach causes a passing feeling of fullness. You can signal the team at any time.

Some people prefer sedation, medicine given into a vein to help you relax. Whether sedation is suitable and available for your procedure depends on your health and the type of endoscopy, so please ask our team when you book. If you do receive sedation, NHS guidance is that someone should take you home and stay with you for 24 hours, and that you should not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign important documents for 24 hours.

After throat spray alone, the NHS advises waiting about an hour before eating or drinking, until normal swallowing returns. A mild sore throat for a day is common and settles on its own.

Is endoscopy safe? Risks and side effects

Upper GI endoscopy is a low-risk procedure, and serious complications are rare. The NIDDK lists the main risks as a reaction to the sedative (affecting breathing or heart rhythm), bleeding, usually minor and often after a biopsy, and perforation, a small tear in the lining, which is rare. The NHS also mentions infection as a rare complication.

• Common and minor: sore throat, bloating, burping and mild tummy discomfort for a few hours.
• Uncommon: minor bleeding after a biopsy, which usually stops on its own.
• Rare: perforation, significant bleeding, breathing problems related to sedation, infection.

Endoscopy involves no radiation, so it carries none of the radiation concerns that apply to X-ray and CT tests.

Go to the nearest emergency department or call for help if you vomit blood or coffee-ground material, pass black or bloody stools, develop worsening chest or abdominal pain, have breathing difficulty, increasing pain on swallowing, or a fever after the procedure. Do not drive yourself.

Endoscopy in special situations

Most adults can have an upper GI endoscopy safely, but some groups need extra planning, so always tell our staff about these situations when booking.

Endoscopy during pregnancy

Endoscopy uses no radiation, but it is usually postponed during pregnancy unless the information is needed urgently, for example in significant bleeding. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant so your doctor can weigh the timing and the use of any sedative medicine.

Endoscopy for children

Children sometimes need endoscopy for swallowing problems, bleeding or a swallowed object. Paediatric endoscopy needs suitably sized equipment and sedation planning, so please ask our team before booking a child, and bring the paediatrician's referral.

Older adults, heart and lung disease

Age alone is not a barrier. Bring a full medicine list and mention heart, lung or kidney conditions so the team can plan monitoring and decide whether sedation is appropriate.

Blood thinners and diabetes

Never stop a blood thinner by yourself. Your prescribing doctor decides whether to pause it before biopsies. People with diabetes need advice on fasting-day doses to avoid low blood sugar.

Endoscopy results: what happens to biopsy samples?

You usually get two kinds of results after an endoscopy: the doctor's findings on the day, and a separate pathology report later if biopsies were taken. The endoscopist explains what was seen once you are awake enough to talk, and a written endoscopy report is prepared for you and your referring doctor.

Biopsy samples are placed in a preservative and sent to a pathology laboratory. There a pathologist processes and stains the tissue and examines it under a microscope. This is how conditions such as coeliac disease, Barrett's changes, infection and cancer are confirmed or ruled out. Processing takes time, so the biopsy report usually follows within several working days to a couple of weeks; our team will tell you when to collect it. The NHS notes that biopsy results can take longer depending on the laboratory and the reason for the test.

Take both reports to your doctor, who will combine them with your symptoms, blood tests and any ultrasound or CT results to plan treatment. Our staff do not give treatment advice, but they can help you understand when reports are ready.

What do common endoscopy findings mean?

Most endoscopy findings are common, treatable conditions rather than cancer. Knowing the words that appear on a report helps you prepare for the conversation with your doctor, who will explain what they mean for you.

• Gastritis means the stomach lining is inflamed. It has many causes, including infection, pain-relief medicines and alcohol. A biopsy may be taken to look for infection.
• Oesophagitis means the food pipe is inflamed, most often by acid reflux. It explains many cases of long-standing heartburn.
• Peptic ulcer is an open sore in the stomach or duodenum. Ulcers can cause pain and sometimes bleeding, which is why black stools need prompt attention.
• Hiatus hernia means part of the stomach has slipped up through the diaphragm, which can worsen reflux.
• Barrett's oesophagus is a change in the lining of the lower food pipe after long-term reflux. It needs biopsy and follow-up as advised by your doctor.
• Polyp or growth means a raised area that the doctor will usually sample. Only the pathology report can say whether it is harmless or needs treatment.

A normal endoscopy is also useful information. It rules out many serious causes of symptoms and helps your doctor move on to other tests, such as an abdominal ultrasound for gallstones.

How much does endoscopy cost in Pokhara?

The cost of an endoscopy in Pokhara depends mainly on whether biopsies are taken, whether sedation is used, and what additional tests your doctor requests. Because these vary from patient to patient, KDRC quotes prices individually instead of listing a single fixed rate. Call 061-553538 or 9856077433 for the current price before your visit.

When you call, mention your referral and whether your doctor expects biopsies, so we can give you a realistic estimate.

Why choose KDRC for endoscopy in Pokhara?

KDRC offers HD endoscopy within an established diagnostic centre, so the camera view, laboratory referral and any further imaging can be arranged under one roof. Patients and referring doctors choose us for a few practical reasons.

• High-definition view. HD optics show the lining enlarged and sharp, which helps the doctor spot subtle changes and target biopsies precisely.
• Further tests in the same building. If your doctor needs more information, ultrasound, colour Doppler and a 192-slice CT scanner are available at KDRC.
• Clear reporting. You leave with an endoscopy report, and biopsy samples go to a pathology laboratory for expert reporting.
• Local and accessible. We are in central Pokhara, with a mobile/Viber line for questions and an ambulance service for patients who need transport.

Booking an endoscopy and getting to KDRC

To book an endoscopy at KDRC, call 061-553538 or 9856077433 (mobile/Viber), or use the appointment form. A doctor's referral is usually recommended, because the doctor's question guides what the endoscopist looks for. When you call, ask about fasting, your medicines, and whether sedation is suitable for you. If you are wondering whether we are open on Saturday or a public holiday, please call to confirm a time.

KDRC is on Shantipath at Amarsingh Chowk, Pokhara-10, Kaski. Arrive a little early, already fasting, with your companion, referral slip, earlier reports and medicine list. Avoid driving yourself if sedation might be used. Referring doctors and hospitals can reach our team by phone or email at kaligandaki.dc@gmail.com.

Not sure which test you need? See our full list of diagnostic services or speak with our team.