Colonoscopy Procedure

A colonoscopy is performed to examine the entire colon and the rectum visually for any abnormalities. It is the first procedure to be performed if your physician suspects colon cancer. A colonoscope, which is a long flexible tube and has a camera at its tip, is inserted into the colon via the rectum.

In the United States alone, over a million colonoscopies are performed every year. Most of the people are over the age of 50 years and have this procedure performed to rule out colon cancer. It has been observed that the results are normal 80% of the time and in case abnormalities are reported, then only about 1 case out of 10 is due the cancer of the colon.

Getting Ready for Colonoscopy

For the results to be accurate your doctor will give you a few instructions that will ensure that your colon is clear of fluids and stools, which usually obstructs the view the colon and rectal lining. 24 hours prior to your procedure, the doctor will advise you to:

• Any medication containing iron should be discontinued as it changes the color of the colon lining.
• Take any laxatives that your doctor has prescribed.
• Solid and opaque foods should be avoided. Nonalcoholic drinks like juices and soups can be consumed. Remember not to consume anything that is red in color as it can be confused with blood.
• Stop the intake of food and liquids six hours prior to the procedure.
• If you are diabetic or on blood thinning medication, ensure that your doctor is well aware of this fact. Also discuss if you require any further instructions regarding the medicines that you can take.

Colonoscopy Procedure

When performed by an experienced physician, colonoscopy can be relatively painless. But, due to the nature of the procedure, it can cause anxiety and in some cases pain. Hence, to help people tolerate the procedure better, a physician either administrators anesthesia or prescribes a mild sedative along with a pain medication to minimize discomfort.

Before the procedure begins, you will be asked to lie on your left side. The doctor will insert the colonoscope into the rectum, which is long enough to view the entire length of the entire colon. It also contains a fiber optic light and a channel through which air can be inserted to inflate the colon and helps the doctor get a better view of the colon. Mild cramping, an urge to pass gas or to go to the toilet may be felt. This is normal and and there is no need to panic. Talk to the doctor if there is too much of discomfort.

The doctor examines the video images that the colonscope captures with the help of the tiny camera attached to its tip to an external monitor as it glides through the colon. You may be occasionally asked to change your position so that the doctor can get a better view. If the doctor comes across any abnormalities like polyps, he will remove them using tiny tools that can be passed through the colonoscope. He can also take tissue samples, inject solutions and cauterize tissues. When the examination is completed, the doctor slowly withdraws the colonoscope ensuring that all the extra air is released. The entire procedure takes less than an hour.

After the Colonoscopy Procedure

It takes about an hour after the procedure to recover partially from the effects of the sedative or the anesthesia. You will need someone to take you home, as you will be very groggy and it can take an entire day for you to recover completely. Further, you may also feel bloated and pass gas for a few hours after the procedure. This too is completely normal and walking about a bit will help lessen the discomfort. However, if the pain continues to persist, contact your doctor.

Small amount of blood is also seen in the first blood movement and is not a cause for any alarm. But, you need to contact the doctor if you continue to pass blood or blood clots or you develop a persistent fever of 100 F or higher.

You must ask your doctor about the quality of the examination was good and whether he was satisfied. If the colon was not completely empty of stool at the time of the examination, parts of the colon could have been obscured and the doctor could have missed a few abnormalities. Based on his experience, the doctor can either suggest to repeat the procedure immediately or in a years time depending on the outcome of the examination and how satisfied he was with the entire procedure.

I hope that this article has helped clear some doubts that you had regarding a colonoscopy.