As the name suggests, colonoscopy is a procedure that is used in assessing the colon (or large intestine). The instrument used in the process is used as a colonoscope. Conditions that may be diagnosed in this manner include bleeding lesions (such as ulcers), polyps and cancerous growths. If they intend to undergo colonoscopy Morrilton AR clients need to have enough information on the procedure beforehand.
Apart from identification of problems within the rectum and the colon, this procedure is also useful in therapeutic intervention. Some of these interventions include the placement of bands to arrest bleeding of ulcers and the removal of polyps. Another useful indication of the procedure is in the screening of cancerous conditions (more specifically, colorectal cancer). If suspicious conditions are seen, they are biopsied and subjected to histological examination for a definitive diagnosis.
Preparation is needed before one is taken through the procedure. One of the most important steps in this stage is colon cleansing. Traditionally, this was done in a day or two through the administration of laxatives to empty the gut. The modern practice involves the use of laxatives that can clean the gut in a shorter period of time (usually a couple of hours).
Doctors will usually recommend that one replaces a solid diet with more liquids such as water, coffee, tea, gelatin and clear juices. Purple and red colored drinks are usually discouraged as they may alter the appearance of the mucosa within the large intestine. This may lead to misdiagnoses. You need to expect increased bowel motility and diarrhea due to the liquid diet prescribed.
Your doctor will be interested in finding out what drugs you are taking. The reason as to why this is important is because some of the drugs are likely to increase the risk of bleeding when the scope is inserted through the rectum and colon. Drugs that may increase this risk include blood thinners such as warfarin, heparin and aspirin. The drugs should be stopped about two weeks before the procedure is undertaken.
One of the major advantages of this procedure is that it can be performed safely in an outpatient clinic or a private office. Although regional and general anesthesia are usually not needed, some form of sedation will be induced to reduce the mild pain and discomfort caused by the scope. Taking a deep breath as the scope is inserted into the rectum also helps reduce the discomfort.
The test takes between 45 minutes and one hour, on average unless complications are encountered. You will be released home as soon as the effects of the sedative wear of but some centers keep patients in hospital for about 24 hours for observation. The colon cleansing procedure usually results in significant dehydration hence the need to take lots of fluid after the test.
The colonoscopy procedure results in very few and minor complications. The most serious is bleeding of the mucosal surface mostly when there is a cancerous process or an ulcer. Others may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fever among others. Contact the surgeon if these problems remain persistent.
Apart from identification of problems within the rectum and the colon, this procedure is also useful in therapeutic intervention. Some of these interventions include the placement of bands to arrest bleeding of ulcers and the removal of polyps. Another useful indication of the procedure is in the screening of cancerous conditions (more specifically, colorectal cancer). If suspicious conditions are seen, they are biopsied and subjected to histological examination for a definitive diagnosis.
Preparation is needed before one is taken through the procedure. One of the most important steps in this stage is colon cleansing. Traditionally, this was done in a day or two through the administration of laxatives to empty the gut. The modern practice involves the use of laxatives that can clean the gut in a shorter period of time (usually a couple of hours).
Doctors will usually recommend that one replaces a solid diet with more liquids such as water, coffee, tea, gelatin and clear juices. Purple and red colored drinks are usually discouraged as they may alter the appearance of the mucosa within the large intestine. This may lead to misdiagnoses. You need to expect increased bowel motility and diarrhea due to the liquid diet prescribed.
Your doctor will be interested in finding out what drugs you are taking. The reason as to why this is important is because some of the drugs are likely to increase the risk of bleeding when the scope is inserted through the rectum and colon. Drugs that may increase this risk include blood thinners such as warfarin, heparin and aspirin. The drugs should be stopped about two weeks before the procedure is undertaken.
One of the major advantages of this procedure is that it can be performed safely in an outpatient clinic or a private office. Although regional and general anesthesia are usually not needed, some form of sedation will be induced to reduce the mild pain and discomfort caused by the scope. Taking a deep breath as the scope is inserted into the rectum also helps reduce the discomfort.
The test takes between 45 minutes and one hour, on average unless complications are encountered. You will be released home as soon as the effects of the sedative wear of but some centers keep patients in hospital for about 24 hours for observation. The colon cleansing procedure usually results in significant dehydration hence the need to take lots of fluid after the test.
The colonoscopy procedure results in very few and minor complications. The most serious is bleeding of the mucosal surface mostly when there is a cancerous process or an ulcer. Others may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fever among others. Contact the surgeon if these problems remain persistent.
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