Colonoscopy Phoenix is an important procedure that helps doctors spot and remove polyps, which are small growths that can become cancer. It also lets them check for signs of cancer or other problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
You will receive a sedative before the test to avoid pain or discomfort during the exam.
You will need to follow a special diet the day before your exam. For example, you may only be able to drink clear liquids, such as water, tea, or coffee, without milk or cream, broth, or carbonated drinks. If you have trouble following this diet, talk to your doctor for help.
You might feel some pressure or cramping when the endoscopist inserts the colonoscope into your back passage and bowel. The tube has a light and camera on it and is connected to a monitor that allows your doctor to see the inside of your colon and the lining of your rectum. Your doctor may put air or carbon dioxide in your colon to expand the lining and get a better view of the area. This makes you feel some gas in your abdomen, which should go away as soon as you pass the gas.
A nurse will check your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing during the procedure. You will lie on your left side with your knees drawn up towards your chest. A lubricated tube (colonoscope) will be put into your anus and moved down to your rectum and colon. You may need to change positions and/or press on your stomach to help the tube pass. The doctor will use the colonoscope to take tissue samples (biopsies) from different areas of your bowel. Your doctor might also remove polyps, which are small growths in your colon that often resemble a large, hard lump.
The doctor will probably give you a sedative before the procedure starts. It might take a few hours for the sedative to start working, so you should arrive at the clinic early. If you are given a sedative, it is important that someone drive you home and stay with you overnight. You will not be allowed to drive or operate heavy machinery after a colonoscopy.
If you are having a colonoscopy done to remove polyps, you might have some bleeding after the test. This is usually a small amount of blood and will stop on its own within a few days. If the polyp or biopsy causes a small tear in your bowel wall, you might need surgery to repair it.
Procedure
A colonoscopy is a test that examines the inside of the large intestine. It can detect and remove polyps, which are pre-cancerous lesions. The test can also discover and treat certain types of colon cancer. A colonoscopy is usually done as an outpatient procedure in the endoscopy department at a hospital. Before the procedure, a health care professional will give you instructions on how to prepare your body for the exam. You may need to take an oral laxative or enema and drink a special liquid to clean out your bowel before the test. Your doctor will discuss the results of the colonoscopy with you. If the test finds nothing unusual, your doctor will be able to tell you right away that your results are negative. If the test finds polyps or other tissue that need to be removed and analyzed in a laboratory, your doctor will let you know when you can expect to hear the results of the biopsy.
You will lie on an examination table, usually with your knees drawn up toward your chest. A lubricated tube (a colonoscope) will be put into your anus and moved into the rectum and colon. You might feel pressure, bloating or cramping during the procedure. A sedative might be given to make you more comfortable. The doctor can use the colonoscope to move around in your large intestine, as well as pump air or carbon dioxide into your colon to stretch out the lining of the bowel. The endoscope can also be used to perform biopsies or to remove polyps and stop bleeding.
Before the endoscope is removed, your doctor might mark the area where a polyp or other lesion was found with a marker pen. This will help you and your doctor remember the location of the lesion if it needs to be reviewed at a future colonoscopy or for surgical planning.
When you are ready to leave the hospital, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. The sedatives or anesthesia can affect your judgment and reflexes, so you cannot safely drive after the procedure.
Recovery
A person who is having a Colonoscopy will need to follow a clear liquid diet the night before and morning of the procedure. A doctor will also instruct the individual to take a laxative — either pills, powder that dissolves in liquid or an enema — to help the colon empty completely. The laxative will cause diarrhea, so the person must stay close to the bathroom. The day after the procedure, a person can return to normal eating habits, but it is important to avoid anything that may cause discomfort or lead to constipation.
Once the sedative or anesthesia has worn off, the nursing staff will transfer you to a recovery room for observation. During this time, the doctor will discuss the results of any biopsy or removal of tissue. The doctor will also explain temporary dietary restrictions if necessary.
Some cramping, bloating and gas is normal after a Colonoscopy. This is caused by the air that enters the colon during the procedure. It can be reduced by passing gas or by walking around. Some people also find that taking over-the-counter acetaminophen helps relieve pain.
The person can resume work the day after a colonoscopy, but it is important to get enough sleep and rest. The person should also be careful to drink plenty of fluids — especially water and electrolyte beverages — to ensure proper hydration.
It is also important for the patient to avoid alcohol, caffeine and other toxins, which can lead to dehydration. Keeping the colon properly hydrated can ease post-colonoscopy discomfort and speed up recovery. Moreover, the patient should gradually increase the amount of foods they eat, starting with easy-to-digest choices such as applesauce, toast and broths. It is also advisable to speak with a gastroenterologist in Johns Creek, Georgia, for more tips on recovery.
Results
If the doctor finds any polyps or other abnormalities they will usually remove them. They will also send any tissue samples to the laboratory for analysis. People often receive their results quickly. For example one person said the specialist screening practitioner told her straight away that she had no polyps and that her bowel was healthy.
However, some people had more serious problems. These could be the result of the bowel cleansing or the procedure itself. One such problem is the formation of a perforation in the colon wall. Perforations are often not discovered until after the patient has presented in an emergency situation with pain and distension of the abdomen. This may be several hours after the colonoscopy, but they can occur in patients who were asymptomatic when they underwent the procedure.
Perforation is more common in those who have had a long history of intestinal disease and in the elderly. It is also more common in those who have a family history of colorectal cancer, who have been screened with colonoscopy, or who have undergone previous abdominal surgery. It is also more common in those who use laxatives to clean out the large intestine prior to the procedure.
Symptoms of perforation are not uncommon and include abdominal pain, distension, leukocytosis, and fever. Upright x-rays may show free air in the abdominal cavity, but this can be difficult to interpret. The diagnosis is usually made by history and physical examination. Treatment includes symptomatic measures such as antacids and fluids, and the surgical removal of any bleeding segments.
In addition to a colonoscopy, the doctor may order other tests such as blood work, a CT scan, or an ultrasound of the colon. These can help to determine whether or not there are any underlying conditions that need further investigation.
Colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to diagnose and treat colorectal cancer, especially when it is detected early. It is important that everyone gets screened for colorectal cancer at age 50 (if you are at average risk) or 10 years earlier than that if you have a family history of the disease.