An endoscopy is a procedure where a doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end into your digestive tract. This allows them to see inside your esophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum).
Quick Answers
Most doctors recommend stopping eating 6-8 hours before an upper endoscopy. Clear liquids are usually permitted up to 2-4 hours beforehand. These guidelines help ensure your stomach is empty so the doctor can see the lining of your upper GI tract clearly.
Why Stop Eating Before an Endoscopy?
There are a few important reasons why your doctor will ask you to stop eating for several hours before an upper endoscopy:
- An empty stomach allows for the best visualization of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Food particles and secretions can obstruct the view.
- Decreased risk of food or liquid being vomited during the procedure and inhaled into the lungs (aspiration).
- Reduced risk of food particles entering the lungs if irritation of the airway causes coughing.
Following fasting guidelines helps ensure patient safety and enables the doctor to thoroughly inspect the gastrointestinal lining for any abnormalities.
How Many Hours to Fast Before an Upper Endoscopy
The specific instructions on how long to fast before an upper endoscopy can vary depending on your doctor or facility’s recommendations. However, these are typical guidelines:
- Solid foods: Avoid eating any solid foods for 6-8 hours prior to the procedure.
- Clear liquids: Restrict intake to only clear liquids 2-4 hours before the endoscopy. Clear liquids include water, plain tea or coffee without milk or cream, clear broth, apple juice, ginger ale, lemonade, sports drinks like Gatorade, or Jell-O.
- Medications: Take scheduled medications with only a small sip of water, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
6-8 Hours Before
Stop eating any solid foods 6-8 hours before your scheduled endoscopy time. This includes food and milk products, meat, grains, snacks, etc. You may continue to drink clear liquids during this period.
For example, if your appointment is at 10 am, you should stop eating solid foods at 2-4 am the night before. You can continue to have approved clear liquids up until 2 hours pre-procedure.
2-4 Hours Before
Limit fluid intake to only clear liquids starting 2-4 hours before the endoscopy. Avoid any red or purple colored liquids as they can look similar to blood during the procedure. Approved options include:
- Water
- Black coffee or tea (no milk/creamer)
- Clear broth or bouillon
- Apple juice
- White grape juice
- Lemonade
- Gatorade
- Plain Jell-O or popsicles
Your doctor will tell you the specific time to stop drinking liquids. This is often 1-2 hours before the endoscopy.
Why Clear Liquids are Allowed Before Endoscopy
Doctors usually allow clear liquids up until 2-4 hours before an upper endoscopy for a few reasons:
- Staying hydrated prevents dehydration from prolonged fasting.
- Clear liquids empty from the stomach within 2-3 hours, allowing it to be empty for the procedure.
- A small amount of liquid helps take medications.
- Having something to drink provides comfort and reduces hunger.
Clear liquids do not affect visibility or create procedure risks like solids or opaque liquids may. They are digested and absorbed quickly, leaving minimal gastric residue.
Why Follow Pre-Endoscopy Diet Instructions
It’s important to follow your doctor’s recommendations exactly about when to stop eating and drinking before your endoscopy. Here’s why:
- Allows for the best visualization of your upper GI tract lining.
- Decreases risk of food contents entering airways if coughing/gagging occurs.
- Reduces chances of aspiration if anesthesia causes vomiting.
- Non-compliance may mean having to reschedule your procedure.
If your stomach is not empty, the endoscopy may need to be postponed for your safety. Your doctor may not even be able to adequately see the lining to make a diagnosis.
What If You Eat Too Close to Your Endoscopy Time?
If you accidentally eat solid food closer than the recommended 6-8 hours before your endoscopy, be sure to notify your doctor right away. They may decide to reschedule your procedure for another day.
Consuming solids too close to the endoscopy increases risks of:
- Food particles inhalation
- Aspiration of stomach contents into lungs
- Obstruction of viewing the gastrointestinal lining
Likewise, if you drink opaque liquids within 2-4 hours of the procedure, call your doctor’s office. Examples of opaque liquids include milk, orange juice with pulp, or protein shakes. These can interfere with proper visualization.
To avoid issues, carefully follow pre-procedure fasting instructions provided by your doctor. Be sure to ask questions if you are unsure of the guidelines.
Special Cases
Diabetes Medication and Fasting
People with diabetes should consult their doctor about taking their routine diabetes medications while fasting. You may need special instructions to avoid low blood sugar.
Medications
Most medications can be taken with a small sip of water up to 2 hours before the endoscopy. Specifically discuss all your medications with your doctor for guidance.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women may be advised to follow different pre-endoscopy fasting instructions. Talk to your obstetrician and gastroenterologist about any special considerations.
Gastroparesis
Those with gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) may need to fast longer before an endoscopy, such as 12 hours without solids. Follow your doctor’s specific recommendations.
Getting Ready the Day Before Your Endoscopy
You can prepare the day before your scheduled upper endoscopy to make sure you stop eating and drinking at the right times. Helpful tips include:
- Note the time of your appointment and work backwards to determine when your fasting starts.
- Have a light dinner early in the evening before your fast begins.
- Avoid greasy, fatty, or spicy foods which take longer to digest.
- Set alarms to remind yourself when to stop eating solids and liquids.
- Stock up on allowable clear liquids like water, apple juice, and broth.
- Arrange for transportation, as you will be groggy after anesthesia.
Planning ahead helps avoid ingesting anything too close to procedure time that could require rescheduling your endoscopy.
Day of Your Endoscopy
The day of your upper endoscopy procedure:
- Double check the timing of yournothing by mouth instructions.
- Take any medications as instructed with small sips of water.
- Arrive on time for your endoscopy appointment.
- Let staff know if you were unable to fast successfully.
- Your doctor will talk to you after your procedure once you are awake.
Following your endoscopy, you will need to rest and recover from the anesthesia. Have someone available to drive you home afterwards.
Ask Your Doctor
If you have any questions or concerns about preparing for your upper endoscopy, be sure to discuss them with your gastroenterologist. They can provide personalized instructions based on your health history and needs.
Topics to ask your doctor about may include:
- Exact timing of when to stop eating solid foods and liquids before the procedure.
- What liquids are allowed up until 2-4 hours pre-endoscopy.
- If your medications need dose adjustments while fasting.
- Any special considerations due to medical conditions like diabetes or pregnancy.
- Logistics of getting to your appointment and arrangements after anesthesia.
Following your doctor’s recommendations will help ensure your upper GI tract is properly prepared for diagnostic viewing. This allows them to provide you with the best possible care.
The Bottom Line
Most doctors recommend stopping all solid foods about 6-8 hours prior to an upper endoscopy. Clear liquids are permitted until 2-4 hours beforehand. These fasting guidelines help empty your stomach and provide the best environment for safely examining your upper gastrointestinal tract.
Be sure to follow pre-procedure instructions closely from your physician. Ask any questions you may have about getting ready for your endoscopy. Proper preparation is key for an effective, informative procedure.
| Hours Before Procedure | Diet Instructions |
|---|---|
| 6-8 hours | Stop all solid foods and milk products |
| 2-4 hours | Only clear liquids permitted |
| 1-2 hours | Stop drinking all liquids |
