COLONOSCOPY
Colonoscopy is a procedure employed to detect abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Colonoscope is a think, flexible tube with a camera attached to it at the tip.
The colon or the large intestine is the lowest part of the GI tract. Its major role is to absorb nutrients & dispose wastes from the food that is consumed. Large intestine is attached to the anus through the rectum.
Why is a Colonoscopy performed?
Colonoscopy is generally performed as part of screening to diagnose colon cancer. It may, however, be required to investigate the cause of
- Blood in stools
- Pain in abdomen
- Frequent Diarrhoea
- Unintended weight loss
- Chronic Constipation
- Changes in bowel movements
- Abnormalities found in CT Scan or X rays
All individuals over 50 years are recommended to get colonoscopy done once every 10 years. If you have a family history or have other risk factors, more frequent colonoscopies may be advised.
What are the risks associated with it?
In most cases, the advantages of diagnosing various GI diseases far outweigh the complications or risks associated with a Colonoscopy. However, rarely there are certain complications that may arise:
- Bleeding from the region where tissue sample was collected or a polyp was removed
- Adverse reaction to the sedative
- Perforation in the colon or wall of the rectum
How to prepare for a colonoscopy?
Prior to the procedure the patient would be required to empty his or her colon as any residue may block out the view of the colon or rectum. To completely clear out the colon, your gastroenterologist may recommend the following:
- Dietary Changes: The patient may be asked to keep away from solid foods a day before the procedure. Beverages are limited to clear liquids such as plain water, tea & coffee without milk. The patient is asked to not consume anything after midnight the night prior to the colonoscopy
- Laxative: The patient would be given a laxative in liquid or tablet form the night before the procedure
- Enema - The patient would be asked to use an enema either the night before or a few hours prior to the procedure to clear out the colon completely.
- Adjusting medications: Dosages of medications for diabetes, blood pressure or heart problems may be temporarily adjusted by the doctor
What to Expect during Colonoscopy?
The patient is usually given a mild sedative in the form of a pill or intravenously to reduce the discomfort. He or she is them made to lie on the table with knees drawn towards his or her chest. Then the colonoscope is inserted into the patient’s rectum.
The doctor pumps air into the colon to inflate it & have a better view of the lining of the colon. When the colonoscope is moved, patients generally can feel cramping in the abdomen or an urge to have a bowel movement. The camera at the tip of the colposcope helps the doctor view the images on an external monitor. The procedure can last from 30 to 60 minutes.
After the Procedure:
Patients may take upto an hour to recover from the sedative. If the colonoscopy was performed to remove a polyp , a special diet may be recommended for a week. The patient may feel bloated or have gas for a few hours post procedure. In some cases, there may be some blood in your first stool after the procedure. This is normal and is not a cause for alarm. However, seek immediate medical help if you continue to pass blood in stools or have persistent fever or pain in the abdomen.
If the result of colonoscopy if negative, it implies that there are no abnormalities in the large intestine. In such cases, the doctor may recommend another colonoscopy in 10 years, if there are no risk factors other than age. The doctor may ask to repeat the procedure in 5 years if the patient has a history of polyps.
If the result is positive, that means an abnormal tissue or polyps was found during the procedure. In such cases, a repeat colonoscopy may be recommended in 5-10 years depending on the other risk factors of the patient
