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.
Colonoscopy has therapeutic benefits other than its huge diagnostic value. Some of the lesions can be treated once visualized on the monitor. Examples include removal of polyps and placement of hemostatic bands on bleeding ulcers. Another important application of this procedure is in the screening of cancerous and precancerous conditions. When suspicious growths are seen, biopsy specimens can be obtained and taken for histological examination.
Some form of preparation is required before one undergoes the investigation. One of the most important steps during the preparation stage is what is referred to as colon cleansing. Colon cleansing is typically done in a day or two. The act itself is fairly straightforward and involves the taking of laxatives to empty the gut. Newer, more effective laxatives that achieve the desired effect in a couple of hours are now available in the market.
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.
Colonoscopy has therapeutic benefits other than its huge diagnostic value. Some of the lesions can be treated once visualized on the monitor. Examples include removal of polyps and placement of hemostatic bands on bleeding ulcers. Another important application of this procedure is in the screening of cancerous and precancerous conditions. When suspicious growths are seen, biopsy specimens can be obtained and taken for histological examination.
Some form of preparation is required before one undergoes the investigation. One of the most important steps during the preparation stage is what is referred to as colon cleansing. Colon cleansing is typically done in a day or two. The act itself is fairly straightforward and involves the taking of laxatives to empty the gut. Newer, more effective laxatives that achieve the desired effect in a couple of hours are now available in the market.
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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