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Colon Health And Cleansing
What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy lets your doctor see the lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). Using a thin flexible tube (endoscope), your doctor can look inside your colon for problems such as swelling, tumors or growths (polyps).
How do I prepare?
Your colon must be completely clean for a good test. The doctor will tell you how to clean your colon. Cleansing usually includes the following guidelines:
Do not eat or drink anything for eight (8) hours before the colonoscopy. Do not eat or drink anything red, like jello or punch, the day of the exam.
You may only have clear liquids (those you can see through, such as broth, ginger ale, plain tea or coffee) the day before the exam.
The afternoon before the exam, you will start drinking a large amount of a special cleansing drink which clears the colon of all contents. You must get the drink from a pharmacy with the prescription the doctor gives you. You must drink all of the cleansing drink.
You may take any special heart or blood pressure pills with a sip of water early the morning of the exam. If you are a diabetic, please check with your doctor before taking your insulin and/or medicines.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies or if you take antibiotics before dental treatments.
Bring with you all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking.
Bring with you all medical records and x-ray films that are related to your current problem. Tell the doctor if you have had endoscopy tests in the past and had problems with the medicine used.
Make sure an adult can take you home after the test. The medicines used during the procedure will not wear off for several hours. You will be unable to drive. If you travel by public transportation, such as by bus, van or taxi, you will still need an adult to ride home with you.
If you come alone, your test will have to be rescheduled.
What will happen during my Colonoscopy?
When you come for the colonoscopy, the nurse and doctor will talk to you about the test and answer any questions. You should know why you are having the colonoscopy and the possible risks. You will be asked to sign a consent form which gives the doctor your permission to do the test.
You will put on a hospital gown. The nurse will put a needle (IV) into a vein, usually in your arm or back of your hand. You may receive antibiotics through the IV at this time.
You will lie down on a padded table with a sheet for covering. You will be taken to the exam room.
A blood pressure cuff will be put on your arm or leg and a small sensor will be put on your finger. These will let the nurse check your blood pressure and heart rate during the test.
You will be asked to lie on your left side and the doctor will give you medicine through your IV. This will make you relaxed and sleepy.
When you are sleepy, the doctor will do a rectal exam to check for any problems.
Next, the doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) into your rectum and gently move the endoscope through your colon. As the doctor moves the endoscope, air will be added to your colon. The air opens your colon and makes it easier for the doctor to pass the endoscope safely. You may experience a feeling of pressure or cramping as the air is added.
Once the endoscope reaches the end of the colon where it meets the small intestine, the doctor will withdraw the endoscope slowly, looking at the lining of the colon for any problems. The entire test should last 20 to 60 minutes.
What treatments can be done during Colonoscopy?
Biopsy
If your doctor thinks an area of the colon lining needs to be looked at more closely he will take a small piece (biopsy). This piece is looked at later under a microscope.
Cauterization
If the doctor finds an area of bleeding, it can be controlled by applying medicines through the endoscope directly onto the area of bleeding. The doctor can also insert a small, heated wire through the endoscope and seal off the blood vessels with a heat treatment (cauterization). You will not feel this treatment.
Polyp Removal
If the doctor finds polyps on the lining of the colon, they may be removed. Polyps vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. Most polyps are non-cancerous but the doctor can not tell a non-cancerous polyp from a cancerous polyp by its looks. For this reason, if the doctor removes a polyp, it is sent for further tests. Removal of polyps is an important way of preventing colon cancer.
What will happen after my Colonoscopy?
After the colonoscopy you will be taken to the recovery room to relax. A nurse will check your blood pressure and heart rate as you rest.
You will wake up in about one hour. The doctor will talk to you about your colonoscopy before you leave.
The nurse will give you written instructions to follow at home. Your IV will be removed.
You may have some cramping or bloating because of the air placed in your large intestine during the colonoscopy. This should go away with the passage of gas (flatus). You should be able to eat after the test, but your doctor may restrict your diet and activities for the rest of the day.
If a problem occurs during colonoscopy, you may need to stay overnight. If no problems occur, you may go home. Even if you feel awake, your judgment and reflexes will be slow. You may not leave unless an adult takes you home.
You should not feel any pain during the colonoscopy.
Most people do not even remember the test.
Over the next 24 hours . . .
You will need to rest quietly until the next day.
Do not drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents or make important decisions.
Do not drink alcohol or take sleeping or nerve pills.
What are the risks of Colonoscopy?
As with any procedure, there are risks to colonoscopy.
A tender lump may form where the IV was placed. The lump may not go away for several weeks. You will need to call your doctor if redness, pain or swelling in that area lasts more than two days.
You may develop a rash or hives, a dry mouth or redness of the face (flushing).
The medicines may make you sick. You may have nausea and vomiting.
Bleeding and tearing (perforation) of the large intestine lining is very rare. Bleeding is usually minor and easily controlled. In rare cases, blood transfusions or emergency surgery may be needed.
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