A colonoscopy is prescribed by a doctor during a preliminary visit, a colonoscopy is a visual tool used for diagnosing and treating diseases of the large intestine
During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube as thick as a finger called a colonoscope is inserted into the anus and slowly advanced into the rectum and colon to examine the lining. You will lie on your side or back, and your doctor may administer a sedative to help you relax and better tolerate any discomfort.
A colonoscopy rarely causes much pain, though you might feel pressure, bloating or cramping during or after the procedure because of the air introduced into the colon during the examination. This should disappear quickly when you pass gas. You should be able to eat after the examination, but your doctor might restrict your diet and activities, especially after a polypectomy.
Although the procedure usually takes 15 minutes to an hour, you should plan on two to three hours for waiting, preparation and recovery. After the procedure, your physician will explain the results of the examination and when you might expect results of any biopsies performed.
If you have been given sedatives during the procedure, someone must drive you home and stay with you. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and reflexes could be impaired for the rest of the day.
Your doctor will explain any dietary restrictions and a cleansing routine to follow before your procedure. In general, the preparation consists of either consuming a special cleansing solution or clear liquids and special oral laxatives. The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate and complete, so be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Most medications can be continued as usual, but some can interfere with the preparation or the examination. Inform your doctor about medications you’re taking, particularly:
Be sure to mention any allergies you have to medications. You should also alert your doctor if you require antibiotics prior to dental procedures, as you might need them before a colonoscopy as well.
Biopsy
If your doctor thinks an area needs further evaluation, he or she might pass an instrument through the colonoscope to obtain a biopsy (a sample of the colon lining) to be analyzed. Biopsies are used to identify many conditions, and your doctor might order one even if he or she doesn’t suspect cancer.
Polypectomy
Your doctor might also find polyps during colonoscopy, and he or she will most likely remove them during the examination. Polyps are abnormal growths in the colon lining that are usually benign (non-cancerous). They vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. Because cancer begins in polyps, removing them is an important means of preventing colorectal cancer.
Polyps are removed with either biopsy instruments or by passing an electrical current through small wire loops called “snares,” a procedure that should be pain free.
Polyps known as “hyperplastic” might not require removal, but benign polyps known as “adenomas” are potentially pre-cancerous. Your doctor can’t always tell a benign polyp from a malignant (cancerous) polyp by its outer appearance, so he or she might send removed polyps for further analysis.
Colonoscopies and polypectomies are generally safe procedures when performed by specially trained and experienced doctors. Possible complications include:
If a colonoscopy is being performed to identify sites of bleeding, your doctor might control the bleeding through the colonoscope by injecting medications or by coagulation (sealing off bleeding vessels with heat treatment). Both of these procedures are usually pain free.
Although complications after a colonoscopy are uncommon, it’s important to recognize early signs of possible complications. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Do not eat or drink anything else while you are drinking the solution.
Do not drink any alcoholic beverages prior to your procedure, since they can cause dehydration.
You can try rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash. Gum or hard candy cannot be used.
The red coloring can persist in the colon and potentially look like blood.
Yes, feel free to brush your teeth.
Yes, you may wear your dentures. However, you may be asked to remove them prior to the procedure.
Simply put, splitting the prep does a better job at cleaning out the colon, specifically the right side of the colon. The better the clean out, the better the results. Studies show that when the colon is clean, more polyps are detected and more cancers prevented. We really do understand how inconvenient a split prep may be, but it gives us the best chance at finding polyps and preventing colon cancer.
It is important that you drink all of the cleansing solution if possible. Without a clean bowel, the doctor will not be able to see the inside of your colon to complete the examination. If you experience nausea, wait 15 minutes and resume drinking slowly. If you vomit, wait 45 minutes and begin drinking the solution again. You can also try sipping the solution through a straw.
Continue to drink all of the cleansing solution if possible. Most people have a bowel movement after an hour, though some patients may take two hours or longer.
Yes, continue to drink all of the cleansing solution if possible. You may have solid stool higher in the colon that still needs to be eliminated.
Yes, drink all of the cleansing solution if possible. Your entire colon is approximately six feet long, and it must be emptied for your physician to see the clearly.
Avoid rubbing when cleaning the area. Instead, gently pat with a wet washcloth or moist baby wipes. You may also apply Vaseline.
If you have finished drinking the entire cleansing solution, or if your last bowel movements were clear enough that you were able to see the bottom of the toilet, you should be fine.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce the body’s ability to form blood clots. Taking them prior to a colonoscopy procedure may increase the risk of bleeding if a polyp needs to be removed. The decision to stop any medication is always based on an estimate of the risk of having a significant medical problem during the short time that you are off of them compared to the risk of bleeding complications from the procedure.
Please speak with your physician if you are taking:
You may take Tylenol.
Yes, the procedure can still be performed. If you are having your period, we ask that you use a tampon if possible.