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A colonoscopy is a therapeutic and diagnostic procedure. It can detect colorectal cancer, one of the most serious cancers. It can also detect any abnormality inside the colon as it gives a good view of the lining of the large bowel.
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Colonoscopy is the examination of the inside of the colon. It's a type of endoscopy as a doctor uses an endoscope, a flexible tube with a lighted camera on its end.
In a colonoscopy, the doctor passes a colonoscope through the anus and rectum into the colon and sends pictures of the inside of the colon on the screen.
Colonoscopy isn't only for seeing the inside of the colon but can be used also for:
A colonoscopy can serve various purposes, including preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects, and it often encompasses all three during the procedure.
Colonoscopy is commonly used as a screening tool for colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends regular screening by the age of 45. You may not have any signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer, but it's better to check the colon anyway as you are older than 45.
Some symptoms may require a colonoscopy to evaluate the disorder causing the symptoms, such as:
Some symptoms may require a colonoscopy to evaluate the disorder causing the symptoms, such as:
While colonoscopy is primarily a diagnostic and screening procedure, it can also be used for certain therapeutic purposes:
Good preparation for colonoscopy is crucial for the success and effectiveness of the procedure. Proper preparation ensures that the colon is clean and free of any obstructions, allowing the doctor to have a clear view of the colon's lining during the procedure.
You should inform your doctor of any disease you have and prescribed medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, such as:
The patient should follow the doctor's preparation instructions. Good preparation leaves stool clear and liquid because stool inside the intestine can prevent the doctor from seeing the lining clearly.
You may need to follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before a colonoscopy. You may eat or drink the following:
Bowel preparations may contain laxatives that the patient takes the night before and the morning of the procedure. A doctor may also prescribe an enema.
This preparation may cause diarrhea, so the patient must stay close to the bathroom.
Your doctor will tell you how long you should avoid intake of anything by mouth before the procedure.
The patient shouldn't feel any pain as sedation takes effect. This applies to removing tissues or performing laser therapy inside the colon.
The patient may feel a little gas pain when the colonoscope advances inside the colon.
This is normal because the colonoscope blows carbon dioxide gas into the colon to inflate for better viewing.
A doctor performs a colonoscopy in a hospital or outpatient center. The procedure usually takes 30 - 60 minutes and it includes:
During the procedure, the doctor may remove the polyps and send them to a lab for testing. The patient won't feel the polyp removal.
If a doctor finds abnormal tissue, he or she may perform a biopsy. The patient won't feel anything while the doctor taking the biopsy.
Colonoscopy is generally a safe and well-tolerated procedure, but like any medical procedure, it does carry some potential risks and complications:
Abnormal results of colonoscopy may include:
You should tell your provider if you have any of the following:
