A colonoscopy is very safe. Problems happen less than 1% of the time. It's rare, but you can bleed or have a tear in the intestine. Or you could have side effects from the medicine.
Some wonder how long a colonoscopy will take, how best to prepare for the procedure, how much time you'll need to take off from work and how embarrassing or disruptive this important cancer screening procedure will be. In short, a lot of people dread getting colonoscopies.
Studies estimate the overall risk of complications for routine colonoscopy to be low, about 1.6%. 1 In contrast, the lifetime risk for developing colo-rectal cancer is about 4-5%. 2 To put it into perspective: a person's average risk of developing colon cancer is higher than having a complication after a colonoscopy.
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.
In general, colonoscopy is a safe procedure. As with any medical procedure, however, there are some risks associated with the procedure and with the sedation used. You should contact your doctor if you feel severe abdominal pain, dizziness, fever, chills or rectal bleeding after the colonoscopy.
AS The sedative agents that are currently available for colonoscopy include midazolam, propofol, diazepam, diphenhydramine, promethazine, meperidine, and fentanyl. Among these, midazolam and propofol are the most commonly used sedatives, whereas fentanyl is the most frequently administered analgesic.
Anxiety Leads to Increased Sedation Needs
One reason experts like Church and Agrawal are concerned about patient anxiety is because it directly affects sedation. "When people are more anxious, they're more likely to need more sedatives or not be as well sedated during the procedure," Agrawal says.
Moderate sedation.
This is one of the most common forms of sedation used. The medications are usually midazolam and fentanyl – a mild sedative and a pain killer. This is a nice, safe combination, and usually causes amnesia for the procedure.
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.
Lots of your friends have had a colonoscopy so there is no need to be embarrassed. Talk to them and ask them about their experience. An encouraging conversation from a great friend is one of the best ways to overcome any anxiety you may have about this entire thing called a colonoscopy!
A colonoscopy procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes, depending on whether the doctor needs to remove polyps or take biopsies. However, patients and caregivers should plan to spend 2-3 hours total at the hospital or endoscopy center to account for the time needed for preparation and recovery.
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.
You won't be completely unconscious, but you'll sleep through the procedure and probably have no memory of it. The medication commonly used for deep sedation is propofol, which is not an opioid. It acts fast, wears off quickly, and is safe for most patients.
Physicians typically recommend mild foods that are easy on the overall digestive system following a colonoscopy screening. Another common practice after the procedure is to follow a low-residue diet. A low-residue diet means eating foods that are low in fiber and avoiding excessive amounts of dairy.
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.
Most people stop moving their bowels about 2 – 3 hours after finishing the solution. People are different and some have liquid movements until the time of the procedure. The instrument used during the colonoscopy will suction out any liquid left in the bowel.
If, on the other hand, you still wish to avoid colonoscopy, but you do not want to die from colon cancer, then an alternative, stool-based testing method is certainly better than doing nothing. With any of the alternative screening methods, the goal will be to catch cancer early enough that we can treat it effectively.
Monitor Bowel Movements
After having a colonoscopy, it's normal for bowel movements to be irregular at first. You may notice loose bowels, which can be a side effect of the medication used during the test.
Everyone's experience is different, but you can rest assured that the colonoscopy itself is painless. You will receive anesthesia so that you don't feel pain or remember the procedure. Most centers use medications that stop working quickly. That means you shouldn't feel any lingering side effects.
Can you eat eggs the day before a colonoscopy? You will usually be asked to avoid eating all solid foods the day before your colonoscopy, including eggs. However in the week preceding your colonoscopy, you can eat eggs.
It is not unusual to experience some diarrhoea for a couple of days post procedure until the bowel returns to its normal function.
After a colonoscopy, choosing easy-to-digest foods can help your digestive tract recover and reduce symptoms such as gas and bloating. These include soft foods, cooked vegetables, and lean proteins. Foods to avoid after a colonoscopy include acidic fruits, fatty dairy, red meat, and raw fruit or vegetables.