Colonoscopy: procedures, safety, risks, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy or colonoscopy is a medical procedure to view the inside of the large intestine (colon) using a tool called a colonoscopy. This procedure is an effective way to find out if there is a problem in your colon.

Colonoscopy is also known as lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. Unlike the upper endoscopy which includes the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, the parts that are examined in a colonoscopy are the large intestine and rectum.

This examination can detect, diagnose, and treat a number of diseases of the lower digestive tract. Doctors usually recommend colonoscopy to patients who are at risk of developing colon cancer or experiencing certain symptoms.

This procedure is very safe and useful for detecting disease. Of course there is a risk of complications such as stomach pain, infection, tearing, and so on. However, this risk can be reduced with careful preparation and proper care.

Destination

Why do you need a colonoscopy?

Your doctor may recommend this procedure to you with the following goals.

1. Investigate the symptoms

Colonoscopy can be relied upon to investigate signs and symptoms of intestinal disease. This procedure often helps doctors check for possible causes of stomach upset, bloody stools, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, and other intestinal problems.

2. Detecting cancer early

If you have colon polyps, your doctor may recommend a follow-up colonoscopy to see and remove any polyps that have formed. This is done to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (rectum and colon).

Doctors will also recommend this procedure to people aged 50 years or older. The reason is, the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. Checkups may need to be done every 10 years, then getting closer every 5 years.

3. Removing tumors or polyps

During a colonoscopy procedure, doctors can also remove polyps or benign tumors on the colon wall. Lifting the network can be done with a device in the form of a clamp, flexible cable, or an electric current. This procedure is known as a polypectomy.

Precautions and Warnings

What should I know before doing a colonoscopy?

If the image quality obtained from the telescope during the colonoscopy is not clear enough, the doctor may recommend a repeat bottom endoscopy or advance the schedule for the next examination.

If the doctor is unable to move the telescope across the large intestine, the doctor may recommend other tests. Examination options include a barium enema (large bowel x-ray test) or colography (scan colon).

Process

What should I do before undergoing a colonoscopy?

Before a colonoscopy, you need to empty the colon by passing a bowel movement. This is because anything left in your colon can blur images of your digestive tract and rectum during the exam.

Other things that you should pay attention to are as follows.

• You may not eat solid foods the day before the test. Fasting will be continued until midnight before the examination.
• Your doctor may advise you to take a laxative before the test, either in pill or liquid form.
• In some cases, you may need to take an over the counter enema medication to empty your colon, either at night or a few hours before the exam.

You should also tell your doctor about medications and supplements that you are regularly taking, at least one week before the checkup. You may need to adjust your dose or stop using the drug temporarily.

Types of drugs or supplements that need to be adjusted before a colonoscopy include:

• diabetes medication,
• high blood pressure medication,
• heart disease drugs, and
• supplements contain iron.

How is the colonoscopy process?

First of all, the doctor will administer a general anesthetic to reduce discomfort and prevent pain. Then, the doctor will insert a long, flexible wire-shaped instrument called a colonoscope through your anus.

The tip of the colonoscope is equipped with a camera to take pictures of the inside of the rectum and large intestine. Every now and then, you may feel air being blown into your colon to give the endoscopist a clearer picture.

The endoscopist can see problems such as inflammation or polyps from the visible images. They can also perform a biopsy or take pictures to help with the diagnosis. This whole process usually takes 30-45 minutes.

What should I do after colonoscopy?

If you are given an anesthetic, you will likely be conscious within 2 hours. Some patients also complain of slight swelling for a few hours, but this effect will go away quickly.

The doctor will tell you what they found in your colon during the colonoscopy. Not only that, the doctor will also discuss with you what treatment or follow-up you need.

Unless your doctor advises otherwise, you should be able to return to activities the next day. Before leaving, the doctor will explain the procedures for post-procedure care to you or your accompanying family member.

Complications

What complications can occur?

A lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is a relatively safe outpatient procedure. However, there is still a risk of side effects and complications from colonoscopy that patients need to understand.

These risks include:

• allergic reactions,
• hard to breathe,
• irregular heartbeat,
• blurred vision,
• infection,
• the formation of a hole in the large intestine,
• bleeding, and
• incomplete procedure.

Explanation of the Test Results

After the colonoscopy procedure is completed and the effects of the anesthesia wear off, the doctor will review the results and explain them to you. Here's what your test results might look like.

1. Negative results

A colonoscopy is said to be negative if the doctor finds no polyps or other abnormalities in your colon. Even so, the doctor may advise you to do a re-examination with the following conditions.

• In the next 10 years, if the risk of colorectal cancer is moderate, for example, you have no other risk factors besides age.
• In the next 5 years if you've had a previous colonoscopy and the doctor finds polyps.
• In the next year, if there is residual feces in the colon so that the examination will be incomplete.

2. Positive results

A colonoscopy is said to be positive if the doctor finds polyps or other abnormal growths in your colon. Colon polyps do not always indicate cancer, but some cases of polyps can lead to cancer.

The doctor will usually take a sample of the polyp, then send it to the laboratory for further examination. The examination will determine whether the polyp is cancerous, precancerous, or not cancer at all.

The condition of the polyp determines whether you will need to undergo closer medical supervision in the next few years. If a 1 cm polyp is found, you may be advised to undergo another colonoscopy in 5 - 10 years.

Reexamination is usually also suggested earlier if you have:

• more than two polyps,
• polyps larger than 1 cm,
• polyps with characteristics that increase the risk of cancer,
• polyps covered with stool residue so that the examination is incomplete, or
• polyps that are clearly cancerous.

If there are polyps or abnormal tissue that cannot be removed during a lower endoscopy, the doctor may recommend surgery with a gastroenterologist.

Colonoscopy is an examination that aims to determine the condition of the inner lining of the large intestine. This examination is generally used to detect certain diseases, especially colorectal cancer.

This procedure does have a risk of complications. However, this risk is very small and can be minimized with thorough preparation. The risks associated with colonoscopy are much smaller than the benefits it provides.