Frequently
asked questions
FAQs for all
procedures
Understanding Colonoscopy
Your physician has determined that colonoscopy is necessary for
further evaluation or treatment of your condition. This has
been prepared to help you understand the procedure. It includes
answers to frequently asked questions. Please read it carefully, if
you have any additional questions, please feel free to discuss them
with the colonoscopy nurse or your physician before the examination
begins.
What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables your physician to examine the
lining of the colon (large bowel) for abnormalities by inserting a
flexible tube that is about the thickness of your finger into the anus
and advancing it slowly into the rectum and colon.
What preparation is required?
The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate
and complete. Your physician will give your detailed instructions
regarding the dietary restrictions to be followed and the cleansing
routine to be used. Follow your doctor's
instructions carefully. If you do not, the procedure may have to be
canceled and repeated later.
What about my current medications?
Most medications may be continued as usual, but some medications
can interfere with the preparation or the examination. Aspirin
products, arthritis medications, anticoagulants (blood thinners),
insulin, and iron supplements are examples of medications whose use
should be discussed with your physician prior to the examination
What can be expected during colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is usually well tolerated and rarely causes much pain.
There is often a feeling of pressure, bloating, or cramping at times
during the procedure. Your doctor may give you medication through a
vein to help you relax and better tolerate any discomfort from the
procedure. You will be lying on your side or on your back while the
colonoscope is advanced slowly through the large intestine. As the
colonoscope is slowly withdrawn, the lining is again carefully
examined. The procedure usually takes 15-60 minutes. In some cases,
passage of the colonoscope through the entire colon to its junction
with the small intestine cannot be achieved. The physician will decide
if the limited examination is sufficient or if other examinations are
necessary.
What if the colonoscopy shows something abnormal?
If your doctor thinks an area of the bowel needs to be evaluated in
greater detail, a forceps instrument is passed through the colonoscope
to obtain a biopsy (a sample of colon lining). This specimen is
submitted to the pathology laboratory for analysis. If the colonoscopy
is being performed to identify sites of bleeding, the areas of
bleeding may be controlled through the colonoscope by injecting
certain medications or by coagulation (sealing off bleeding vessels
with heat treatment). If polyps are found, they are generally removed.
None of these additional procedures typically produce pain. Remember,
the biopsies are taken for many reasons and do not necessarily mean
that cancer is suspected.
What are polyps and why are they removed?
Polyps are abnormal growths from the lining of the colon which
vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches. The majority of polyps
are benign (noncancerous) but the doctor cannot always tell a benign
from a malignant (cancerous) polyp by its outer appearance alone. For
this reason, removed polyps are sent for tissue analysis. Removal of
colon polyps is an important means of preventing colorectal cancer.
How are polyps removed?
Tiny polyps may be totally destroyed by fulguration (burning), but
larger polyps are removed by a technique called snare polypectomy. The
doctor passes a wire loop (snare) through the colonoscope and severs
the attachment of the polyp from the intestinal wall by means of an
electrical current. You should not feel pain during polypectomy. There
is a small risk that removing a polyp will cause bleeding or result in
a burn to the wall of the colon, which could require emergency
surgery.
What happens after a colonoscopy?
After colonoscopy, your physician will explain the results to you. You
may have some cramping or bloating because of the air introduced into
the colon during the examination. This should disappear quickly with
the passage of flatus (gas). Generally, you should be able to eat
after leaving the colonoscopy, but your doctor may restrict your diet
and activities, especially after a polypectomy.
Why do I need someone to drive me home?
Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and
reflexes may be impaired by the sedation for the rest of the day,
making it unsafe for you to drive or operate any machinery.
What are the possible complications of colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy and polypectomy are generally safe when performed by
physicians who have been specially trained and are experienced in
these endoscopic procedures.
One possible complication is a perforation or tear through the
bowel wall that could require surgery. Bleeding may occur from the
site of biopsy or polypectomy. It is usually minor and stops on its
own, or can be controlled through the colonoscope. Rarely, blood
transfusions or surgery may be required. Other potential risks include
a reaction to the sedatives used and complications from lung or heart
disease. Localized irritation of the vein where medications were
injected may rarely cause a tender lump lasting for several weeks, but
this will go away eventually. Applying hot packs or hot moist towels
may help relieve discomfort.
Although complications after colonoscopy are uncommon, it is
important for you to recognize early signs of any possible
complication. Contact your physician who performed the colonoscopy if
you notice any of the following symptoms: severe abdominal pain, fever
and/or chills, rectal bleeding of more than ? cup. Bleeding can occur
several days after polypectomy.
Clear
Liquid Diet
A "clear liquid" means that you can see through it. It
should not be dark colored (e.g. cola) and it should not have pulp
(e.g. orange or grapefruit juice or any juice that is described as
"with pulp" or with "bits of fruit").
You may not have any drinks that are red, blue, or purple. Solid food, milk
and milk products are NOT allowed.
Clear liquids include:
* Strained fruit juices, without pulp - Apple, White Grape,
Lemonade
* Water
* Clear broth or bouillon
* Coffee or tea - without milk or non-dairy creamer
* Gatorade - not red, blue, or purple colored
* Kool-aid or other fruit flavored drinks - not red, blue, or purple
colored
* Plain Jell-O without added fruit or topping - not red, blue, or purple
colored
* Ice popsicles - not red, blue, or purple colored
* Clear Sodas