Colonoscopy is an important investigation used to assess lesions that affect the digestive tract. Examples include cancerous lesions, bleeding ulcers and polyps among others. The investigation is conducted using an instrument known as a colonoscopy. Potential candidates are persons that have digestive system disorders such as pain, bleeding and constipation. As they plan to have colonoscopy Morrilton AR clients should understand a number of things.
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.
The next stage in preparation is to determine the drug history. This is important because a number of drugs are known to increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include blood thinners such as heparin and warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. These drugs need to be stopped about two weeks in advance before the procedure is performed. Smoking should also be stopped momentarily for the same reasons.
A major advantage of this investigation is the fact that it can be performed in a private office or outpatient department of a hospital. Neither regional nor general anesthesia is needed but sedation becomes important in most cases due to the mild pain and discomfort that some patients report. The discomfort is mainly caused by the entry of the colonoscope into the rectum and colon. Taking a deep breath also helps minimize the unpleasant feeling.
The procedure should take 45 minutes to one hour in the absence of complications. The sedation that is used reduces the level of consciousness and a few hours are usually needed for the effects to wear of. Most hospitals will discharge you on the same day but a few may retain you for about 24 hours. Due to the dehydration resulting from the preparation stage, patients are advised to drink lots of water and other fluids.
Colonoscopy is associated with minor side effects. Perhaps the most serious among them is bleeding particularly in the presence of ulcers and cancerous lesions. Others include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and occasionally, fever. Many of these complications will resolve with time. Make a point of contacting your doctor if they persist.
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.
The next stage in preparation is to determine the drug history. This is important because a number of drugs are known to increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include blood thinners such as heparin and warfarin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. These drugs need to be stopped about two weeks in advance before the procedure is performed. Smoking should also be stopped momentarily for the same reasons.
A major advantage of this investigation is the fact that it can be performed in a private office or outpatient department of a hospital. Neither regional nor general anesthesia is needed but sedation becomes important in most cases due to the mild pain and discomfort that some patients report. The discomfort is mainly caused by the entry of the colonoscope into the rectum and colon. Taking a deep breath also helps minimize the unpleasant feeling.
The procedure should take 45 minutes to one hour in the absence of complications. The sedation that is used reduces the level of consciousness and a few hours are usually needed for the effects to wear of. Most hospitals will discharge you on the same day but a few may retain you for about 24 hours. Due to the dehydration resulting from the preparation stage, patients are advised to drink lots of water and other fluids.
Colonoscopy is associated with minor side effects. Perhaps the most serious among them is bleeding particularly in the presence of ulcers and cancerous lesions. Others include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and occasionally, fever. Many of these complications will resolve with time. Make a point of contacting your doctor if they persist.
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