Colonoscopy Phoenix is an important test that helps doctors find and treat abnormal areas in the large intestine. The procedure is done in a hospital or an outpatient center. Government health insurance plans (Medicare and Medicaid) typically cover the test for those at high risk of colorectal cancer.
The test is usually done with sedation, so you will not feel pain inside your colon. But you may feel some gas and cramping after the procedure.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of your large intestine (colon). It can find and remove precancerous and cancerous growths, as well as other problems. It is the most effective way to diagnose or rule out colorectal cancer and other bowel diseases. It can also find other conditions that may cause bowel symptoms, such as narrowing of the rectum or inflammation of the inner colon (colitis).
A screening colonoscopy is usually done every 10 years if there is no family history of colon cancer or concerning symptoms. A colonoscopy can detect polyps, which are growths in the lining of your colon that can be either benign or precancerous. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy, and the doctor can also take tissue samples to send to a lab for further testing.
For a colonoscopy, you will need to drink a liquid laxative solution (called a “bowel prep”) to clean out your bowel. Your health care provider will give you specific bowel preparation instructions, including how to start the laxative and when to stop it. You will probably need to begin the bowel prep 1 or 2 days before your exam.
Then, you will be taken to the hospital or a clinic for your colonoscopy. You will need to remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown. If you are having a colonoscopy with sedation or anesthesia, the healthcare team will insert a tube into your vein (an intravenous — IV) line that delivers the sedative and pain medicine.
Then, the health care team will pass a long flexible tube with a light and camera on the end, called a colonoscope, into your rectum. The doctor will use the colonoscope to examine your entire rectum and colon. The tube can be manipulated to reach even the hardest-to-reach places in your colon. The doctor can also inject water and air into the colon to expand certain parts of your colon for better visualization. The doctor can remove any polyps, or even the whole lining of your colon, that are found during your colonoscopy. They can also remove a sample of tissue for biopsy to check for cancer.
Preparation for a colonoscopy
A person needs to follow a strict diet the day before a colonoscopy. They will only be allowed to drink clear liquids, like water and broth. This is to prevent them from becoming dehydrated during the bowel prep. The person also will need to stop taking iron supplements a few days in advance of the test because it can cause changes in coloration of the stool, making it hard for the doctor to see.
The morning of the test, a person will receive a kit with a special solution that helps prepare the colon. The kit will include instructions on how to use it and what to eat during the six hours before the procedure. A person also will be told to stop taking certain medicines such as blood thinners, ibuprofen and aspirin. If a person takes an antidepressant, they may need to stop it a few days before the test, too, as it can cause drowsiness.
Once a person arrives at the hospital, they will be asked to change into a gown and have an intravenous line inserted. They will then be given medications that make them drowsy and relaxed. Depending on their health condition, some people will be put under general anesthesia, while others will remain awake but sedated. If a person is under anesthesia, they will need to have someone drive them home after the colonoscopy.
During the test, a person will lie on their back on the exam table, with their knees pulled up to their chest. The doctor will then insert a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope into the anus. The doctor will move the scope along the rectum and colon and may use air or carbon dioxide to inflate the colon’s lining so it can be seen better. The doctor will be able to see and remove polyps or any other abnormalities that are causing symptoms.
After the test, a person will stay in a recovery room for an hour so that doctors can monitor them for any problems. They will likely give the patient an anti-nausea medication, too. Then, they will be able to go home if they don’t have any immediate complications. It can take up to 24 hours for the anesthesia to wear off, so it’s important that a patient have someone available to drive them home. Some people will feel bloated or have stomach cramps after the colonoscopy, and they might pass gas. These feelings are normal and will go away with time.
During a colonoscopy
The idea of a colonoscopy may be dreaded by many, but it is one of the most important tools doctors have to diagnose, prevent, and treat colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy can help detect the small growths that can be precancerous and can catch colorectal cancer early when it is easier to treat. The procedure is also useful in evaluating inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
If you’ve been advised to have a colonoscopy, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions about diet and bowel preparation. It’s a very important part of the test that can help ensure a comfortable and effective exam.
During the actual procedure, you will be lying on your back, and the physician inserts a tube called a “scope” into your rectum. The scope contains a light and camera so the doctor can visualize your colon. If your doctor finds any abnormal growths, they can remove them with tools inserted through the scope and then send them to a lab for further evaluation. The process of removing polyps and analyzing them can add up to 60 minutes to the total time needed for the procedure.
After your colonoscopy, you will feel bloated and gassy for a few hours as the bowel clears. Some patients also report passing blood with their first bowel movement after the exam, but this isn’t usually cause for concern and should clear up shortly. During this period, it’s a good idea to walk around and stretch your legs to help with the discomfort. You will be able to go home when the doctor or nurse looking after you says you are well enough. If you had polyps or other tissue removed for analysis, your doctor will let you know when the results will be ready.
Although rare, colonoscopies can cause a tear or hole in the wall of the large intestine (sigmoid colon). This is often caused by shear injury from pushing and pulling on the sigmoid colon during examination; by overdistention of the sigmoid colon due to too much insufflation; or by mechanical trauma caused by a colonoscope that accidentally strikes a structure in the large intestine.
Post-colonoscopy care
A colonoscopy can detect problems in the colon, such as polyps or cancer. In some cases, your doctor may need to take tissue samples from the lining of your colon for further evaluation. These tissue samples can help your doctor determine if the polyps are cancerous or precancerous, and how far they have spread. After a colonoscopy, it is important to drink lots of fluid and follow your doctor’s dietary instructions. It is also recommended to get plenty of rest after a colonoscopy. Your doctor may also recommend that you avoid strenuous activity and take a day off from work. If you are experiencing discomfort after a colonoscopy, it is best to contact your doctor right away.
After the procedure, you will be able to resume your regular diet but should continue to eat foods that are easy on your digestive system. Richmond University Medical Center recommends that you start with a low-fiber, clear liquid diet and gradually reintroduce solid foods as your body tolerates them. It is also a good idea to drink fluids throughout the day and to avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you.
Most patients feel better after a colonoscopy than they expected, although they may experience mild discomfort or tiredness. Some patients are also bloated or have stomach cramps after their procedure, which is normal.
If your doctor found polyps during your colonoscopy, they will send them to a laboratory for analysis. The lab will determine whether the polyps are cancerous or precancerous, which will allow your doctor to develop a treatment plan.
A colonoscopy is a quick and painless procedure, and it can be used to diagnose many problems, including cancer. If you have a family history of colon cancer, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about scheduling a colonoscopy in the near future. This simple test could save your life.