Colonoscopy (koh-luh-NAH-skuh-pee) lets the physician look inside your entire large intestine, from the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine. The procedure is used as a tool for routine colon cancer screening and prevention in people beginning at age 45.
What is an upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy? An upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum using a flexible telescope. A colonoscopy is a procedure to look at the inside of your large bowel (colon) using a flexible telescope.
It will normally only go as far as the first part of the colon, this is known as the caecum. The colonoscope tube is thin and flexible and ranges from 125 centimetres (48 inches) to 183 centimetres (72 inches) in length.
For the procedure, you'll lie on a table while the doctor inserts a colonoscope through your anus and into your rectum and colon. The scope inflates your large intestine with air for a better view. The camera sends a video image to a monitor, allowing the doctor to examine your large intestine.
The prep is the hardest part. Colon cancer screenings save lives, but many people are nervous about getting colonoscopies.
Loops or angulation in the colon are possibly the most common patient-related source of difficulty. Some bends require additional skill to navigate. Loops, particularly in the sigmoid colon, can result in loss of control of the endoscope as well as patient discomfort.
The entire colon must be emptied by drinking the prescribed prep solution in order for your Gastroenterologist to be able to perform a high quality colonoscopy.
How long does it take a colonoscopy prep to clear bowels completely? It can take 12 to 16 hours for the bowels to completely clear. Eating a low-residue, soft diet for a day or more before starting the prep can help make it easier and faster.
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
The scope bends, so the doctor can move it around the curves of your colon. You may be asked to change position occasionally to help the doctor move the scope. The scope also blows air into your colon, which expands the colon and helps the doctor see more clearly. You may feel mild cramping during the procedure.
Belly Pain or Discomfort
Your doctor may use air to inflate your colon so they can get a better view. They might use water or a suction device as well as certain surgical tools to take off a polyp. All these things can move and stretch your colon, so you might feel uncomfortable for 1 or 2 days afterward.
To eliminate looping and help the doctor advance the scope, endoscopy nurses and staff routinely apply abdominal pressure in roughly 60% of colonoscopies. If manual pressure doesn't work, patients are typically repositioned onto other side or onto their stomach.
You can start eating regular foods the next day.
What if I've taken all my preparation and am still passing solid stool on the day of my exam? In this case, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. You may be prescribed a different preparation for your next procedure. Please call the triage nurse to reschedule your procedure with a different preparation.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
The biggest culprits that will show up in a colonoscopy and obscure our view are foods like nuts, seeds and high-fiber cereals. You also want to avoid granola, coconut, dried fruit and fresh fruit with the skin on, like apples and pears, or fruit with seeds, like strawberries and raspberries.
DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS: It is very important to stay well hydrated during your bowel preparation process. The more liquids you drink, the better you will feel.
Usually if a suspected colorectal cancer is found by any screening or diagnostic test, it is biopsied during a colonoscopy. In a biopsy, the doctor removes a small piece of tissue with a special instrument passed through the scope. Less often, part of the colon may need to be surgically removed to make the diagnosis.
After your nausea has decreased or stopped, you can start the bowel prep again, but you should drink it at a slower rate. Sometimes, drinking too much, too quickly is too much for your system to handle. Another tip is to make sure the prep is chilled. It helps to refrigerate the liquid prep.
Yes. You must drink all the prep to fully clean out your colon for a safe and complete colonoscopy.
1.)
In fact, patients are sedated prior to the procedure so no pain is felt during a colonoscopy. Patients have a range of options from a mild sedative to general anesthesia. During a colonoscopy, your doctor will use a tiny camera attached to a thin, flexible tube to identify any colorectal abnormalities.
A colonoscopy can be used to look for cancer of the colon (bowel cancer) or colon polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon that can sometimes be cancerous or may grow to be cancerous. A colonoscopy may be performed to find the cause of signs and symptoms including: bleeding from the rectum.
One of the causes of pain during insertion of the colonoscope is stretching of the mesenterium by loop formation of the instrument and the degree of the pain is different from types of looping formation.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Staying hydrated is essential for recovering from any medical procedure, and it is especially important when dealing with post-colonoscopy discomfort. Make sure to drink plenty of water and electrolyte drinks throughout the day, and avoid caffeine or alcohol, as they can dehydrate you further.