Colonoscopy is the process of examining the rectum, the entire colon and the part of the large intestine, called the cecum, that connects with the small intestine, starting from the anus. The procedure, which is performed by entering through the rectum with a colonoscopy tube, is performed for diagnosis as well as for therapeutic purposes. It is the most effective method in the investigation of colon-related diseases. The advantage of this procedure is that all lesions in the colon can be seen, and tissue samples can be taken and bleeding can be intervened.
What is a Colonoscopy Device?
Colonoscopy is a 60 cm long 1 cm diameter tube. There is a small video camera on the device. The images are sent to an external monitor, so that the physician has the opportunity to examine the inside of the intestine more easily. When the images of the procedure are recorded and the operation is completed, the physician removes the colonoscope.
Why is Colonoscopy Performed?
It can be done for the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal problems, as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer screening and polyp screening every 5 years in individuals aged 50 and over. can also be used for control. Pain or feeling of pain is prevented by the sedative drugs given.
Colonoscopy is frequently applied in the following cases:
- routine bowel screenings of individuals aged 50 and over,
- In the rectum presence of blood,
- Detection of occult blood in stool,
- Presence of intestinal tumor or intestinal polyp in first-degree relatives,
- The presence of suspicious condition detected during radiological imaging,
- Abdominal pain of unknown origin and/or excessive weight loss of unknown cause,
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation,
- Mucosa hernia in the wall of the large intestine,
- Some anomalies detected in blood vessels,
- Presence of anemia and/or iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin,
- Follow-up and treatment of diagnosed large bowel cancer,
- Follow-up and treatment of polyps that are already detected in the colon,
- Follow-up and treatment of intestinal diseases in which infection is detected,
- Chronic inflammatory ba intestinal disorders,
- Performing a biopsy for pathological diagnosis in some suspected areas of the intestine,
- Placing a stent to treat intestinal obstructions in partial areas and removing foreign bodies.
What Should Be Considered Before Colonoscopy?
If the doctor recommends a colonoscopy, firstly, he/she gets information about the drugs used by the patient, if any. Pregnancy status is questioned and detailed information about the patient's diabetes, heart or lung diseases, if any, is obtained.
In order for colonoscopy to be successful, the intestines must be empty. Uncleaned bowel may cause lesions and polyps to be overlooked, prolongation or repetition of the procedure.
What is a Colonoscopy Diet?
After evaluating the patient's condition, the doctor may make some dietary and fluid restrictions before colonoscopy. Consumption of fibrous foods is strictly limited as it will leave pulp in the colon before the procedure.
One week before colonoscopy: Some foods such as grain foods, dried, shelled or seed-containing fruits, peas, legumes, nuts and pasta should be avoided.
Until the day before colonoscopy: It is okay to consume yogurt, eggs, red or white meat or fish.
The day before colonoscopy: Solid foods should not be consumed. Instead, plenty of fluids can be consumed.
It is necessary to avoid consuming red colored liquids, as it may be mistaken for blood during colonoscopy. No liquid or solid food should be eaten or drunk the night before the colonoscopy. Medications recommended by the physician are taken the day before colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy day: No food should be taken. It is recommended to stay away from tobacco and its products, as sedative anesthesia will be administered during the colonoscopy.
During the colonoscopy preparation, some drugs can be given to clean the intestines, and if necessary, liquid enema (intestinal cleansing) can also be performed.
How is Colonoscopy Performed? What is done in preparation for colonoscopy?
On the day of colonoscopy, it is recommended to wear loose and comfortable clothes in order to be comfortable during the post-operative period. General anesthesia is not required. During the procedure, the patient is dressed in a dress called colonoscopy trousers, which are designed to leave their backs exposed. If the doctor deems it necessary, electrodes can be attached to the patient's body in order to monitor the breathing and heart rate.
The patient is placed on the examination table sideways. Then, the knees are pulled towards the chest and the colonoscopy position is ensured. After the colonoscopy position is taken, the physician places the colonoscope appropriately in the rectum.
The specialist physician can send a small amount of air to the intestines in order to perform the procedure more comfortably and to provide a clearer image.
If any abnormal condition is detected or seen, A biopsy can be performed with a special device on the colonoscope. Similarly; If a polyp is seen, the polyps can be removed by means of the wire ring on the colonoscopy device.
How Long Does Colonoscopy Take?
Although it varies according to the procedure, colonoscopy often takes around 15-60 minutes. After the colonoscopy procedure, it is recommended that the patient rest in the hospital for an average of 1 hour.
What Should Be Considered After Colonoscopy?
After the colonoscopy, the patient is allowed to rest in the hospital for about 1 hour. If the doctor deems it appropriate, there is no harm in sending patients home the same day after the procedure.
Since the patient is given sedatives, it is important to have a companion with him. It is necessary not to drive or go to work on the day of the colonoscopy procedure.
There may be a possibility of bloating and gas pain 3-5 hours after the procedure. Walking at a heavy pace can alleviate these gas pains. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided.
After colonoscopy&nbs p; there is a possibility of seeing a small amount of blood in the stool of the patient. Usually this is not a major problem. However, if the bleeding does not stop or continues, the physician should be contacted immediately. It is useful to wait for at least one day in order to return to normal life.
How should the diet be after colonoscopy?
If the doctor does not recommend a special diet after colonoscopy, it is okay to switch to a normal diet. After colonoscopy, plenty of fluids should be consumed. According to the doctor's recommendation, individuals taking blood thinners may be advised not to use these drugs for a while. However, any medication used other than the physician's recommendation should not be discontinued.
In the presence of symptoms given after colonoscopy, a doctor should be consulted directly:
- Blood in the stool,
- the presence of bleeding in the rectal area,
- head dizziness,
- fever or chills,
- severe pain and/or bloating,
- nausea and vomiting,
- heart palpitations,
- /li>
- chest pain.
In Which Situations Should Colonoscopy Not Be Performed?
Informed consent must be obtained from the patient before colonoscopy. Apart from this, it should not be done especially in the following situations:
- Patients where the intestines are not cleaned properly,
- Patients with a high probability of perforation in the intestines during colonoscopy,
- Severe intestinal inflammation in patients with
- Patients with peritoneal inflammation,
- Patients at risk of heart attack.
What are the Alternative Methods in Cases Where Colonoscopy Cannot Be Performed?
Colonoscopy is used to detect intestinal disorders. and it is the most effective method in its treatment. However, there are alternative tests as well.
It is not suitable for individuals who do not want to have a colonoscopy or are not suitable for this procedure. The effectiveness of different methods in diagnosis and treatment varies. In patients who cannot undergo colonoscopy, the following alternative methods can be applied with the decision of the doctor:
- Stool sample (fecal immunochemical tests),
- Fecal occult blood test,
- Double contrast barium enema,
- Other types of colonoscopy: Capsule colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and sigmodoscopy.
Colonoscopy Has Side Effects Is it?
The most important and feared complication that may occur during colonoscopy is perforation of the colon. However, thanks to advancing technology, the treatment of these ruptures, which are less than one percent likely to occur, is performed by surgical intervention.
Scopes used in colonoscopy are cleaned by keeping them in disinfectant solutions for at least 20 minutes after the application. However, the possibility of infection is largely eliminated.
Mild abdominal pain up to one hour after colonoscopy is common and clinically ignored. In colonoscopies performed by experienced hands, where bowel preparation is done well and anesthetization is performed effectively, these side effects are almost nonexistent.
Read: 18
