Your doctor sees the image of your intestines on a computer screen. Air is used to inflate your colon, so your doctor has a clear view of the colon lining. You may feel or hear some of this air escape. Don't be embarrassed!
This is a natural part of a colonoscopy. Your doctor may also use small tools to take a tissue sample or remove a growth. Lastly, the scope is slowly pulled out of your anus. You may pass gas at this point, another natural part of the process. Some cramping and passing gas after the test is also normal.
The test usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Most people don't find colonoscopies to be painful because of the sedation. Because air is pumped into your colon, you may have some cramping in your lower abdomen which usually dissipates after the procedure. Most people dislike the bowel-prep before the procedure more than the colonoscopy itself. Any medical procedure comes with risks.
Rarely, a puncture or tear may occur during your colonoscopy. Contact your doctor if you have any of these symptoms after your colonoscopy:. It's understandable why people are hesitant to ask about colonoscopies. However, fear or embarrassment shouldn't prevent you from having this important procedure. Our dedicated Augusta Health Gastroenterology team is here to support you every step of the way.
Search form Search. Health Focused Educational health information to improve your well-being. Who Should Schedule a Screening? Once the scope has reached the opening to the small intestine, it is slowly withdrawn and the lining of the large intestine is carefully examined again. Bleeding and puncture of the large intestine are possible but uncommon complications of colonoscopy — and very rare.
Colonoscopy usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Cramping or bloating may occur during the first hour after the procedure. The sedative takes the time to completely wear off. Patients may need to remain at the hospital for one to two hours after the procedure. Be sure to fully and carefully read your discharge instructions and follow the notes I provide you. You should not drive for 12 to 24 hours after colonoscopy, to allow the sedatives to completely wear off. When you schedule your test, I will provide you with instructions for the test and a preparatory kit to cleanse your intestines prior to the exam.
Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most powerful weapons against colorectal cancer. It can take as many as 10 to 15 years for a polyp to develop into colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Regular screening can often prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing polyps before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also often find colorectal cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death when numbers for both men and women are combined.
The death rate the number of deaths per , people per year of colorectal cancer has been dropping for several decades. One reason for this is that colorectal polyps are now more often found by screening and removed before they can develop into cancers. When colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 90 percent.
But only about 4 out of 10 colorectal cancers are found at this early stage. Patients who suffer from chronic constipation may need to start their prep two days before their procedure to achieve good results. Your stool will be coming out watery - like diarrhea and will go from a brown color to a yellowish or clear watery stool.
If you find the prep is not working, call the office. A nurse or doctor can help you. It is important that you not have anything by mouth to guarantee that the stomach is empty and also not producing gastric secretions juices. An empty stomach is extremely important when receiving sedation. This minimizes the gastric secretions creeping up to your throat.
Out of concern for your safety, the procedure will be delayed or canceled if you eat or drink anything other than sips with your medication. Always check with your provider for which medications you can take or should hold. Diabetics on insulin should check with their doctor for their dosage the night before and morning of the procedure. A patient who is on blood thinners should get directions from the doctor who manages his or her treatment. A therapy plan needs to be set in place.
Please have this planned weeks before your procedure to avoid interruption of care. Your procedure may need to be rescheduled and this is best determined before you arrive for the procedure. The staff in the room during your procedure varies depending on the facility. Most teams include your provider, a registered nurse and a technician. A good estimate is two hours from the moment you arrive to your discharge. Please keep in mind that this is a procedure that requires sedation and the delivery of safe care to all patients undergoing procedures that day.
For some, the procedure may be easy and quick, while for others it may take a bit longer. Moderate sedation also called conscious sedation is a form of sedation involving an intravenous narcotic and intravenous sedative that your registered nurse will administer as prescribed by your provider. Most patients are asleep. Others remain awake and if they choose, can speak with the team and may opt to watch the procedure on a screen. If you are receiving monitored anesthesia care, this deeper form of sedation requires an anesthesiologist on the team to administer the sedative medication.
Once the procedure is completed you will go to a recovery room where a nurse will continue to monitor you and then sit you up and offer something to eat and drink. This usually takes about 30 minutes depending on your recovery. Each patient varies. Here you will also have your discharge instructions reviewed and given to you in writing to review at home.
Remember, you have received sedation and it is very likely that you may forget the conversation.
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