A colonoscopy provides a better view of your large intestine than other tests. It can help determine what’s causing your symptoms, such as unexplained blood in your stool or changes in your bowel habits.
It can also find and remove polyps that may be cancerous. Your doctor will give you instructions before you leave the hospital about what to do if you have polyps removed. Click https://www.drwesleyhigh.com/ to learn more.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about what to do to prepare for the colonoscopy test. This may include not eating solid foods the day before the exam, drinking only clear liquids and taking a laxative medication in pill or liquid form. The preparation is important because your bowels need to be empty for the exam to be accurate and comfortable.
For the procedure, you will be asked to wear a hospital gown and lie down on an examination table. You’ll receive a sedative or anesthesia through a tube (IV) in your arm or hand. You can also ask for a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort.
During the colonoscopy, a thin flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted through an opening in your anus and into your rectum. The doctor uses the colonoscope to look at your colon lining and the surrounding area and to take biopsy samples when necessary. You will probably feel pressure or gas pain when the doctor inserts the colonoscope, blows air into your colon to inflate it for a better view, or moves the scope. You may also have stomach cramping or the urge to pass stool.
After the doctor examines your colon, the procedure is over. You will be given a pain reliever and a sedative, and you will need someone to drive you home afterward.
You can return to your normal diet and resume your medications the day after the procedure unless your doctor tells you to change anything. Some medicines, especially blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen and warfarin (Coumadin), may need to be stopped for a few days before the test. Your doctor will explain if you need to stop these medicines.
If you have a health problem that requires ongoing medical attention, your doctor can discuss the results of the colonoscopy with you and answer any questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure. The form will explain what the test is for and describe what could happen during or after the procedure. It is important that you read and understand the consent form before signing it.
Procedure
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor views the inside of your large intestine (colon) using a flexible tube with a camera on the end. This camera transmits real-time video to a monitor for the doctor to see. The doctor can also remove and send away small pieces of tissue for biopsy, if necessary. The procedure can also be used to identify and treat certain inflammatory, mechanical, and anatomic gastrointestinal conditions, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Ogilvie syndrome, diverticulitis, and sigmoid volvulus.
During the procedure, you lie down on an examination table. You will be given a sedative, either as a pill or intravenously. Depending on the type of sedative, you may experience some stomach discomfort or the need to pass stool during the test.
The health care provider inserts the colonoscope into your rectum through one of two small holes, which are called working ports. The doctor can use a variety of instruments through these ports to perform the colonoscopy, such as removing a polyp, tattooing a mass for surgical planning, obtaining a sample of a suspicious area for laboratory testing, or cauterizing bleeding areas. The health care provider may also inject fluids into your colon to wash the interior of your bowel or to help you pass stool.
It takes about 15 minutes to advance the colonoscope all the way to the end of your large intestine and another 15 minutes to bring it back out through the same hole. If your doctor finds polyps or other tissue to remove and send away for testing, this will add more time to the exam.
You will spend an hour or so in a recovery room after the colonoscopy. This will give the doctor a chance to watch you closely for any complications, such as bleeding. You will be given instructions on how to eat and drink, and you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, since you will be receiving anesthesia or a sedative during the procedure.
You will likely feel some gas, bloating, or cramping in the first hour after your colonoscopy. This is normal and will go away in a few hours. You may also have a small amount of blood in your first bowel movement after the procedure, which is common.
Recovery
Some people may experience mild pain and bloating after the procedure. This is caused by the air entering the colon and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen. You may also notice some blood in your stool after the exam. While this is normal, you should let your doctor know if it continues or becomes worse.
Depending on your condition, you may need to follow a specific diet after the procedure. It is advisable to start off on a clear liquid diet that can be easily digested. Your doctor will likely recommend eating foods such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, skinless chicken, white fish, soups and broths, or fruit and vegetable juices. This diet is typically only required for a day or two.
You will be asked to drink plenty of fluids after the procedure, and your doctor will likely advise you to avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can dehydrate you. You will probably be given a prescription for laxatives, which can be taken in pill or liquid form. These are usually to be taken the night before and morning of the procedure. Some people may need to use an enema kit as well.
After your procedure, you will be transferred to a recovery room or cubicle and allowed to rest until the sedation wears off. Until then, make sure someone is available to drive you home, as it is against the law for a person who has recently been sedated to be behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Some people may have a reaction to the sedation used during their colonoscopy, and this can be dangerous or even fatal. If you experience severe or prolonged abdominal pain, fever, bleeding, drowsiness, or low blood pressure, seek medical attention immediately.
The most common side effect is minor and will only last for a few hours or a day. Other side effects may include cramping and bloating, which can be relieved by walking and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. It is important to stay hydrated after the procedure, and you should avoid strenuous activities until you receive clearance from your doctor.
Results
A colonoscopy can be used to treat conditions such as internal haemorrhoids, a condition in which the blood vessels that line the anus and rectum swell, causing itching, irritability and pain. A doctor can remove these swollen veins with this procedure, relieving the patient of their discomfort. The procedure can also detect a condition known as inflammatory colitis, which can cause watery diarrhoea and abdominal pain. It can help detect and diagnose the cause of this condition, allowing prompt treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.
A physician can also remove polyps during a colonoscopy. Polyps are protrusions found on the lining of the colon that can become cancerous. By removing these polyps during screening colonoscopies, doctors can greatly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer developing.
This procedure is very safe for the majority of patients, but as with any invasive medical procedure, there are some risks that should be considered. Some general risks of undergoing this test include vomiting, pain, bloating and rectal bleeding. However, a much more serious complication is intestinal perforation, which occurs in only about 0.14% of procedures. This complication can cause serious, life-threatening problems. Because of this, it is important to discuss any potential complications with your doctor before undergoing the test.
Depending on the results of your colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend regular screenings in the future. This is especially true if your doctor discovers precancerous or cancerous polyps during your screening colonoscopy. This can save lives by catching these conditions before they develop into full-blown disease and giving patients the chance to receive immediate treatment.
In addition to recommending regular screenings, your doctor will also likely give you a diet and lifestyle plan to follow to lower your risk of disease. This can include eating plenty of fibre, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use. Your doctor will also tell you how long to wait between each colonoscopy based on your age and your risk of colorectal cancer. This may vary depending on the size and type of polyps found during your test.