What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure in which the large intestine and rectum are examined. If necessary, polyps in the colon can be removed during the colonoscopy procedure or a tissue sample can be taken for examination in the laboratory. The colonoscopy procedure performed by entering from the breech can be performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The intestine is examined with a flexible tube with a light and a camera at the tip.
What is the reason for performing a colonoscopy?
For Diagnostic Purposes: A colonoscopy can be performed to diagnose problems experienced in the intestine.
Persistent abdominal pain
Rectal bleeding
Chronic constipation
Unexplained anemia, i.e. anemia or iron deficiency
Chronic diarrhea
Colonoscopy should be performed for symptoms such as unexplained weight loss.
Bowel cancer screening: Colonoscopy should be performed for early diagnosis of colon cancer and rectal cancer, even if there are no complaints. a colonoscopy is recommended every 5 years over the age of 50. The frequency of colonoscopy may vary for people with a family history of colon or rectal cancer.
Polyp control: People who have previously experienced intestinal polyp problems may need to undergo December colonoscopy control. Removal of intestinal polyps during colonoscopy by early detection is one of the most important ways to protect against bowel cancer.
What are the risks of colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a safe procedure. However, from time to time, adverse situations may occur during or after the procedure.
Bleeding
Inflammation
An outward herniation of the large intestinal wall, called a diverticulum
Severe abdominal pain,
Negative reaction to the sedative used during the procedure
Rupture of the colon or rectum wall (perforation)
It can cause problems in people with heart or blood vessel disease.
What should be done before colonoscopy?
To the gastroenterology doctor who will perform the procedure before the colonoscopy;
Pregnancy
Lung diseases
Heart diseases
Diabetic
Information about the medications used or drug allergies should be provided.
In order for a colonoscopy to be successful, the intestines must be empty, that is, cleaned. Different methods can be applied for this. If the intestines are not cleaned properly, structures called lesions or polyps may be overlooked during the colonoscopy procedure, colonoscopy may be prolonged(prolonged colonoscopy may also bring risks), colonoscopy may be repeated.
Colonoscopy preparation diet: There may be some dietary or fluid restrictions before the colonoscopy procedure. However, whether this type of nutrition style will be applied or not may vary depending on the patient. After evaluating the patient's condition, the doctor decides whether the nutrition style is necessary for a colonoscopy.
The purpose of the colonoscopy diet is based on avoiding high-fiber plant foods that leave pulp. Problems may occur in colon cleansing because consuming fiber-rich foods will leave too much pulp.
A few days before the colonoscopy: Foods such as whole grain foods, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, fruits with shells or seeds, pasta, peas, dried beans should be avoided. Care should be taken to eat a low-fiber diet. Until the day before the colonoscopy; eggs, yogurt, cheese, red or white meat, fish can be consumed, except offal.
The day before the colonoscopy: Solid foods should not be consumed. Instead, water, tea, fruit juice can be consumed. Yogurt can be consumed once or twice a day before a colonoscopy. It is important to avoid red fluids that may mix with blood during a colonoscopy. Nothing should be eaten or drunk after midnight before the colonoscopy. After 18.00 in the evening, the necessary medications should be taken to clean the intestine recommended by the doctor.Colonoscopy day: No solid or liquid foods should be consumed. Since sedative anesthesia will be used during colonoscopy, smoking and tobacco products should be avoided.Colonoscopy preparation medications: There are different medications and methods for colonoscopy that allow the intestines to be cleaned. The doctor who will perform the colonoscopy will make medication and dosage adjustments according to the patient.In addition to the colonoscopy nutrition to be applied, many drugs such as sodium phosphate, laxative drugs, drugs containing the active ingredient macrogol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol are used to clean the intestines. These medications should be completed 8 hours before the colonoscopy.In addition to these drugs, the colon can also be cleaned by methods such as enema and intestinal washing (irrigation method).
How is colonoscopy performed?
It is recommended to wear loose-waisted comfortable clothes to be comfortable after the procedure on the day of the colonoscopy.
Before starting the colonoscopy, medication sedation and painkillers are applied to the patient to calm down.
During the procedure, an outfit called colonoscopy pants is worn that will leave the patient's back exposed
If deemed necessary, electrodes can be attached to the patient's body to monitor breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.
The patient is laid on his side on the examination table and the colonoscopy position is provided by pulling his knees towards his chest.
After taking the colonoscopy position, the doctor places the colonoscope in the breech.
In order for the procedure to be performed more conveniently and to get a clearer image, the doctor may give some air to the intestines.
If any abnormal areas are noted, a biopsy will be performed with a special instrument on the colonoscope. Likewise, if a polyp is found, the polyps can be removed with a special wire ring on the colonoscopy.
It includes a small video camera on the tip of the colonoscopy device. The camera sends the images to an external monitor so that the doctor can examine the inside of the colon more conveniently.
When the resulting images are recorded and the procedure is completed, the doctor removes the colonoscope.
After colonoscopy
After colonoscopy, the patient is rested for about 1 hour in a hospital environment. Patients are sent home the same day after colonoscopy.
Since the patient is taking a sedative, it is important to have a person with him to accompany him.
On the day of the colonoscopy, it is necessary not to drive a car, make important decisions and not to return to work.
Bloating and gas pains may be experienced a few hours after colonoscopy due to the air in the intestines. Walking can be good for gas pains that may occur.
Heavy lifting or strenuous activities should be avoided.
A small amount of blood may be seen in your stool after a colonoscopy. Usually, a small amount of blood seen after a colonoscopy does not cause problems. However, in cases where bleeding persists, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
It is necessary to wait for 1 day to return to the daily life order.
After the colonoscopy, a normal diet can be started. But if tissue was taken for a biopsy during a colonoscopy or a polyp was removed, the doctor may recommend a special diet.
It is important to consume plenty of fluids after colonoscopy.
Patients taking blood-thinning medications may be asked to stop these medications for a while. Nevertheless, any medication used without a doctor's recommendation should be discontinued.
Pay attention to the symptoms after a colonoscopy
Chills or fever
Dizziness and nausea that does not go away
Not being able to go to the toilet
Having blood in the stool
Chest pain or heart palpitations
Multiple rectal bleeding.
You experience severe abdominal pain or bloating
You should consult with your doctor if problems such as vomiting occur.
Especially severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting symptoms may be symptoms of a colon puncture.
How soon should the colonoscopy be repeated?
Colonoscopy is of vital importance in the early diagnosis of bowel cancer. People who do not have any risk factors should start routine colonoscopy check-ups at the age of 45-50. Patients in the risk group with a family history of colon cancer may need to start routine colonoscopy checkups at an earlier age. The frequency of colonoscopy recurrence may also vary depending on the results of the procedure. It is recommended that patients who do not see any abnormalities such as polyps in the results of the colonoscopy performed should repeat the colonoscopy scans every 5 years.
During colonoscopy, the frequency of follow-up changes in the presence of abnormal structures and polyps. The number of polyps, the type of polyps and the size of polyps are effective in the frequency of colonoscopy follow-up.
It is useful to repeat the colonoscopy within 1 year if there are a number of polyps that will prevent the examination of the colon or if the intestines cannot be completely cleaned.
What can be done against nausea experienced during colonoscopy preparation?
Liquid medications taken to clean the intestines before colonoscopy can sometimes cause severe nausea. If nausea or vomiting is experienced, liquid medications taken to Decontaminate the intestines should be stopped for a short time. after a break of 30 minutes- 1 hour, the drugs should be taken again. Dec. It may be useful to drink the liquid medicine slowly so that the feeling of nausea or vomiting does not occur again. Nausea medication can be taken by consulting a doctor. An important trick is to drink the drug chilled, or cold water can be consumed next to the drug.
What can be done against the breech crack and irritation experienced while preparing for colonoscopy?
Since it is necessary to go to the toilet frequently during the bowel cleansing phase, problems such as irritation and breech crack may be experienced. It is quite useful to use baby diaper rash cream or vaseline to prevent such problems. Since it is necessary to go to the toilet frequently, wet wipes may be preferred instead of toilet paper after the toilet. It may also be preferable to sit in warm water after the toilet and dry the skin with a soft cloth.
