Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy enables a gastroenterologist to evaluate the appearance of the inside of the colon.

A flexible tube that is about the thickness of a finger is inserted into the anus. It is then slowly advanced, under visual control, into the rectum and through the colon. Visual control is by either looking through the instrument or with viewing a TV monitor.

For the procedure to be complete and accurate, patients are advised on how to cleanse the colon before the procedure. This may include the use of a large volume of a special cleansing solution.

Your doctor may also ask for several days of a clear liquid diet and laxatives or enemas prior to the examination. It is important to follow the instructions as poor results may result in repeating the examination.

You should inform your doctor of current medication since some may interfere with the examination. Medication such as aspirin products, blood thinners, arthritis medications, insulin, and iron preparations are examples of medications that may require special instructions.

You should inform your doctor of any allergies, major illnesses before the surgery. It is also important to avoid certain foods for a couple of days prior to the procedure, such as stringy foods, foods with seeds, or red Jell-O.

After the procedure, patients will be kept in an observation area for an hour or two, until any medication given adequately wears off. The patient's reflexes and judgment may be impaired for the rest of the day, making it unsafe to drive or operate any machinery.

If there was any removal of polyps or certain manipulations, the diet or activities of patients may be restricted for a brief period.

When do you need a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is done for a variety of reasons. Most of the time it is done after another examination has been done leading the doctor to suspect something wrong in the colon.

If the medical practitioner finds blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a change in the bowel habits, or an abnormality found on colon x- ray or a CT scan, he may request a colonoscopy.

Family history may also determine the need to have a colonoscopy. Certain individuals with previous history of polyps or colon cancer and certain individuals with family history of particular malignancies or colon problems may be advised to have periodic colonoscopies because they are at a greater risk of polyps or colon cancer.

What are the Risks in a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy complications are rare and usually minor when performed by physicians who have been specially trained and are experienced in these endoscopic procedures.

Bleeding that may occur at the site of biopsy or polypectomy, is usually minor and self-limited, or can be controlled through the colonoscope.

Other potential complications are reaction to the sedatives used, localized irritation to the vein where medications were injected or complications from heart or lung disease. Hot towels or moist packs often help relieve the discomfort of an irritated vein. The incidence of all of these, together, is very rare.

While these complications are rare, it is important for patients to recognize any early signs. The physician that performed the colonoscopy should be contacted if patients notice any of the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding of more than half a cup, or fever and chills.

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