Colonoscopy (cont.)
What to expect during colonoscopy?
Prior to the procedure an IV is started and the patient is
given a
monitor for continuous monitoring of the heart, blood pressure,
and
oxygenation of the blood. Medication is often given through the
vein to
make the patient sleepy and relaxed. If needed, the patient may
receive
additional doses during the procedure. Colonoscopy often gives
a feeling
of pressure, cramping, and bloating, however, with the aid of
the
medication it is generally well tolerated and rarely causes any
significant pain.
Patients will be lying on their left side or back as the
instrument is
slowly advanced. Once the tip of the colon, or the last portion
of the
small bowel, is reached the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn and
the lining
is again carefully examined. The procedure usually takes 15 to
60 minutes.
If the entire colon, for some reason, can not be visualized,
the physician
may decide to try it at a later date with a better bowel
preparation or
may decide to order an x-ray of the colon.
What if there are abnormalities detected during
colonoscopy?
If an area needs to be better evaluated a forceps is passed
through the
instrument and a biopsy (a sample of the tissue) is obtained
and is
submitted to pathology for a microscopic exam. If infection is
suspected a
specimen may be obtained for culturing of any possible bacteria
or
viruses. If the exam is performed because of bleeding, the site
can be
identified, sample of tissue obtained (if indicated), and the
bleeding
controlled by several means. Should there be polyps (benign
growths that
can lead to cancer) they, almost always, can be removed through
the
colonoscope. Removal of these polyps is an important method of
preventing
colorectal cancer. None of these additional procedures
typically produce
pain. Biopsies are taken for many reasons and do not
necessarily mean
that cancer is suspected and the great majority of polyps are
benign.
Next: What to expect after a colonoscopy? »
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