Colonoscopy (koh-luh-NAH-skuh-pee)
lets the physician look inside your entire
large intestine (another name for the
colon), from the lowest part, the rectum,
all the way up through the colon to the
lower end of the small intestine, the
terminal ileum. The recommended age to get
a colonoscopy has been changed from 50 years
to 45 years in an effort to ensure timely
treatment if and when necessary. Patients with
a family history of disease are at a higher
risk, and should get a colonoscopy sooner.
The procedure is mainly used
to look for early signs of cancer in the
colon and rectum. It is also used to
diagnose the causes of unexplained changes
in bowel habits, sources of bleeding, or in
monitoring patient with inflammatory bowel
disease, including Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis. Colonoscopy enables the
physician to see and biopsy inflamed tissue,
remove abnormal growths, biopsy ulcers, and
control bleeding.
For the procedure,
you will lie on your left side on the
examining table. You will be given
medication to keep you sedated during the
exam. Patients sleep comfortably throughout
the procedure. The physician will insert a
long, flexible, lighted tube in to your
rectum and slowly guide it in to your colon.
The tube is called a colonoscope (koh-LON-oh-skope).
The scope transmits an image of the inside
of the colon, so the physician can carefully
examine the lining of the colon. The scope
bends, so the physician can move it around
the curves of your colon. The scope also
blows air in to your colon, which inflates
the colon and helps the physician see
better. If anything abnormal is seen in your
colon, like a polyp or inflamed tissue, the
physician can remove all or part of it using
tiny instruments passed through the scope.
That tissue (biopsy) is then sent to a lab
for testing. If there is bleeding in the
colon, the physician can pass a laser,
heater probe, or electrical probe, or can
inject special medicines through the scope
and use it to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding and puncture of the colon are
possible complications of colonoscopy.
However, such complications are uncommon.
Colonoscopy takes 15 to 20 minutes. The
medicine keeps you from feeling much
discomfort during the exam. You will need to
remain at the colonoscopy facility for 30
minutes to one hour after your procedure.
You may feel a little groggy after the
procedure but most people feel very
comfortable.
Preparation
Your colon must be completely empty for the
colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. We have
several options for preparation:
- Colonoscopy preparation with MoviPrep
- Colonoscopy preparation with Magnesium Citrate and Dulcolax
- Colonoscopy preparation with Peg 3350
- Colonoscopy Preparation with Suprep
A liquid diet means fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, or diet soda. Gelatin or popsicles in any color but red or orange or purple may also be eaten. Some of the preparations we use to cleanse your bowel allow you to eat a small breakfast the day before your procedure. You will also take one of several types of laxatives the night before the procedure or split the dose the evening prior to the procedure and the morning of the procedure. The scheduler that talks to you about the procedure will discuss the different options with you long before the procedure date. Also, you must arrange for someone to take you home afterward - you will not be allowed to drive because of the sedatives. Your physician may give you other special instructions. Inform your physician of any medical conditions or medications that you take before the colonoscopy.
Please contact us for additional questions regarding colonoscopy.