Colonoscopy Phoenix is one of the best tests for detecting colorectal cancer early. It can also help detect other diseases or abnormal bleeding in your bowels.
You will spend about an hour in the recovery room for observation after your procedure. You can go home once your doctor tells you you can.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure in which a doctor uses a long, firm,, flexible tube with a digital camera attached at one end called a colonoscope to examine the inside of your large bowel. The procedure is most often done to check for and treat conditions such as polyps, which are abnormal growths on the colon lining. It is also used to screen for colorectal cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in men and women.
The colon is the last portion of your digestive tract and stretches about 1.5 metres from the rectum to the anus. It stores unabsorbed food before it is eliminated in faeces. There are two types of muscles in the colon, circular and longitudinal muscle fibers. The latter are clustered into bandlike structures known as taenia coli and make folds that can harbor polyps.
Your doctor may perform a colonoscopy to look for early signs of disease such as inflamed or swollen tissue and ulcers. The test can also find the cause of unexplained diarrhea or bleeding in the bowel and help your provider decide on a treatment plan.
A gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon performs the exam. These specialists receive special training in endoscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract. Both can use the colonoscope to biopsy and remove small portions of your bowel, such as polyps, which are pre-cancerous.
Before a colonoscopy, you must drink a special liquid to clean your bowel. This liquid is called a bowel preparation and you are given detailed instructions on how to prepare for the exam. Generally, you must begin the preparation 1 to 2 days before your colonoscopy.
When you arrive at the hospital, clinic or doctor’s office for your appointment, you will be asked to change into a gown. A nurse will then put an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to deliver the sedation and pain medication for the procedure.
The sedatives will make you sleepy and it is best to bring a friend or family member to drive you home from the facility after the procedure because you will not be able to drive while under the influence of these medications.
Preparation for a colonoscopy
The colonoscopy procedure allows a doctor to view the inside of your rectum and large intestine. It can detect and treat a variety of diseases, including colorectal cancer. If you are concerned about your risk for developing this disease, talk to your gastroenterologist. He or she may recommend earlier screening or other tests to detect abnormalities, such as polyps.
You will need to follow special instructions about your diet and preparation for the test. It is important to do this, because your gastroenterologist must have a clear view of the lining of your colon and rectum. Any residue from food or stool can obscure polyps and small cancers, making them hard to see.
Usually, you will not be able to eat any solid foods the day before your exam. You also may be told to drink only clear liquids. You should also be careful not to eat or drink any red liquids, because these can cause a false positive for blood in the stool sample.
Your gastroenterologist will give you a kit with instructions about the best way to prepare for your exam. You may be given a pill or liquid solution to take the day before your test, which will clean out your colon. The kit will also contain a special container that you will use to empty your colon. It is important to complete the entire prep process, even if your stools look clear early on in the process. Your gastroenterologist needs your colon to be completely free of stool for a clear view.
A health care professional will place an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein in your arm or hand to give you sedatives and pain medicine for the procedure. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, because you will be too sleepy to drive safely.
During the colonoscopy, the doctor will insert a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope into your rectum and colon. This will allow the doctor to see the lining of your colon and remove any polyps that are found. The removed polyps are sent to a lab for testing to determine whether they are cancerous. If your doctor finds an abnormality, he or she may also perform a biopsy.
Procedure
If you’re scheduled to have a colonoscopy, your doctor will give you specific instructions about how to prepare. This may include a restriction on food or drink for a day or two before the procedure, and you might have to take laxatives both the night before and during the procedure.
The test starts with you lying on your side with your knees pulled up toward your chest. Your doctor will insert a long, flexible tube called an endoscope into your anus and move it down into your rectum and colon. The endoscope is attached to a camera that transmits real-time video to a monitor so your doctor can see what’s inside. The doctor can then use instruments to perform biopsies and remove polyps if necessary.
Your doctor might also use the endoscope to inject air into your colon to stretch out the lining, which can be helpful if you have trouble passing stool. Depending on your condition and how many polyps are found, the procedure can last for 30 minutes or more.
During the test, you might feel pressure or cramping. You can tell your doctor if you are uncomfortable at any point. After the procedure, you’ll get a report of your results. A health care professional will call you or schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results.
You might have some bleeding after the procedure, especially if your doctor removed polyps or performed a biopsy. This is normal and should stop after your first bowel movement, but if you have significant bleeding or pass large clumps of blood when you poop, call your doctor right away.
If the doctors find anything that could be cancer, they will take a tissue sample for analysis in a lab. This adds about 15 minutes to the procedure.
You might be able to go home soon after the procedure, but your doctor will probably want you to lie down or sit up for a few hours so the sedative can wear off. It’s a good idea to have a friend or family member drive you home because you won’t be able to operate a vehicle while under the influence of anesthesia or sedatives.
Recovery
After your colonoscopy, it is important to rest and follow the doctor’s instructions for recovery. Some people may experience abdominal bloating or gas after the procedure, but these symptoms typically go away on their own within a day or two. It is also normal to have some pain or discomfort in the rectal area, but over-the-counter pain relievers and warm sitz baths can help reduce this pain. Some people have small amounts of blood in their first bowel movement after the procedure, but this is also common and usually goes away on its own in a few days.
The night before your colonoscopy, you will be instructed to drink a special prep solution that contains laxatives. This is done to clear the bowels before the procedure, and you will need to use the bathroom several times throughout the night and the morning of the colonoscopy. This process is necessary to make sure that the doctors are able to view your entire colon, and it is important not to skip any steps of this preparation.
During the colonoscopy, the doctor will pass a thin tube through your anus and into your rectum, and then they will slowly move the scope up along your large intestine to examine it. Occasionally, the doctor may need to inject more fluids into your colon to ensure that they are able to see every inch of your colon. The procedure is performed at a hospital, medical office, or outpatient center, and the doctor will be able to tell you how long the procedure is expected to last before it begins.
Once the procedure is finished, you will be taken to a recovery room or cubicle, and you will need to stay in this location until the effects of the anesthesia wear off. This process can take up to a day or two, and it is best if you arrange for someone to drive you home.
Immediately after the procedure, you will be encouraged to drink lots of liquids, and you will also be told to eat foods that are soft or easily digestible so as not to disturb your colon. This dietary restrictions are typically only required for one day, and after this time, it is okay to resume your regular diet.