Definition of colonoscopy

A Colonoscopy is an examination used to diagnose abnormalities or disease in the colon. During a colonoscopy, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the bowel. There is a small video camera at the tip of the tube that allows the doctor to see inside the entire colon. If necessary, polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed through a colonoscope. Tissue samples (biopsies) can also be taken during a colonoscopy.

 

Why is a colonoscopy performed?

With the help of colonoscopy, the signs and symptoms of the intestine can be examined. Colonoscopy can help the doctor discover the possible causes of abdominal pain, involuntary weight loss, intestinal bleeding, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, and other intestinal problems.

On average, people aged 50 or older have a risk of developing colon cancer. The doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years or sometimes earlier to screen for colon cancer. Colonoscopy is one of the screening options for colon cancer. Colonoscopy can also be used to remove extra polyps, which is done to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

 

What are the risks of a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy has few risks and rarely causes complications. However, some rare complications include:

• A negative reaction to the sedative being used
• Bleeding from a biopsy site if a biopsy was done or a polyp was removed
• A tear in the colon wall

Bleeding and perforation are the most common complications of colonoscopy. Most cases of bleeding occur in patients who have had the polyp removed.

 

How is a virtual colonoscopy different from a colonoscopy? Virtual colonoscopy and colonoscopy are different in several ways:

• Virtual colonoscopy is an X-ray test that takes less time and does not require anesthesia.
• By virtual colonoscopy, the doctor does not see the entire length of the patient's colon.
• Virtual colonoscopy may not detect specific polyps as easily as colonoscopy can detect.
• Doctors cannot remove polyps or treat other problems during a virtual colonoscopy.
• Your health insurance coverage may be different for these two methods.
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Special diet before colonoscopy

The day before the colonoscopy you should follow a special diet. Normally this diet is such that the patient cannot eat solid foods and drinking is limited to clear liquids, water, tea and coffee (without milk and cream) and the patient should not drink broth and carbonated liquids. Avoid red drinks as they may be mistaken for blood during a colonoscopy. The patient may be asked to avoid eating or even drinking completely the night before the colonoscopy. It is also recommended to take laxatives. The doctor may prescribe a laxative in pill or syrup form.

Adjust your medications. Discuss your medications with your doctor at least one week before the colonoscopy; especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems or if you are taking iron-containing medications or supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are taking aspirin or other medications, including warfarin; newer anticoagulants, such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto), which are used to reduce the risk of clots or stroke; or heart medications that affect platelets, such as clopidogrel (Plavix). You may need to change the dose of your medication or stop taking it temporarily.

 

Procedures before colonoscopy

Actions need to be taken before a colonoscopy; including:

• Change your diet and use it to clean your bowels.
• A healthcare professional will give you instructions on how to prepare your bowels so that you can follow them at home before the operation. As a result, no stools remain in your bowels. The stool in your gut can prevent the doctor from seeing clearly.
• You may need to follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before a colonoscopy. You should avoid red and purple drinks or gelatin. In most cases, it may be advisable to drink or eat the following:

• Lean broth (broth without fat)
• Gelatin in flavors such as lemon or orange
• Plain coffee or tea, without cream or milk
• Sports drinks with flavors such as lemon or orange
• Water

Avoid pulpy juices such as orange juice.

 

What happens during a colonoscopy?

You should wear comfortable clothing during the colonoscopy. For colonoscopy, sedation is usually recommended, sometimes a mild sedative in pill form. In other cases, the sedative is combined with an intravenous analgesic to minimize the possibility of any discomfort.

The colonoscope contains a tiny video camera at the tip. The camera sends the images to an external monitor, so that the doctor can examine inside your colon. The doctor may also insert instruments through a canal to take tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps or other sites of abnormal tissue.

The doctor usually performs a colonoscopy in the hospital. Colonoscopy usually takes 30-60 minutes.

 

 

 

How is a colonoscopy performed by the doctor?

The health care professional inserts an intravenous (IV) needle into the patient's arm or hand in order to inject a sedative, anesthetic, or analgesic; therefore, the patient will not be conscious during the colonoscopy.

To perform a colonoscopy, the patient must be placed on a table; then the doctor inserts a colonoscope through the anus and colon. The colonoscope contains a lamp and tube that allows the doctor to pump air or carbon dioxide into the patient's colon. Air or carbon dioxide inflates the colon, creating a better view of the lining of the colon. The camera on the tip of colonoscope sends a video to the monitor, allowing the doctor to examine the colon. The doctor may move the patient several times on the table to adjust the colonoscope for better viewing. After the colonoscope reaches the patient's small intestine, the doctor gently moves the colonoscope back and re-examines the colon.

 

Patients condition after colonoscopy

The patient cannot drive for 24 hours after the colonoscopy. The patient should be monitored for the effects of sedatives and anesthetics. Also, important decisions on this day cannot be made with confidence. The patient may feel a slight bloating or cramp that resolves immediately after the gas is expelled and the patient can eat at home as usual. After the doctor removes the polyps and other probable procedures are completed, the patient's diet and activities may be limited for a short time.

 

The results of colonoscopy

The doctor reviews the results of the colonoscopy and then announces the results to the patient. Colonoscopy results are usually ready after 2 or 3 weeks.

• Normal results

The result of a colonoscopy is normal if the doctor does not find any polyps or other abnormal tissue in the bowel. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some may be precancerous. The person may be asked to perform a colonoscopy again after 5 years.

• Polyp

If the growth of polyps is seen on the colonoscopy results, then the doctor may start treatment for the patient due to the growth of the polyp, or he/she may just tell you to come back for a colonoscopy in the future.

• Colon cancer

If the colonoscopy results show that the patient has colon cancer, he/she should consult a cancer specialist and begin treatment as soon as possible.

• Non-cancerous intestinal disease

Using colonoscopy results can help confirm the condition of the bowel, which is not colon cancer. Therefore, colonoscopy results can help diagnose the following intestinal diseases:

• Crohn's disease
• Diverticular disease or diverticulitis
• Ulcerative colitis

If you have any of the following symptoms after a colonoscopy, see your doctor immediately:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever
• Bleeding from the anus that does not stop
• Dizziness
• Weakness