Colonoscopy
The colon is the lowest portion of the gastrointestinal tract that takes in food, absorbs nutrients and disposes of waste. A thin, flexible camera on the end of a tube, called a colonoscope, is used to check for abnormalities or disease in your lower intestine or colon. Colonoscopy can be done as a screening for colon cancer, to explore the cause of unexplained changes in bowel habits, evaluate symptoms of pain or bleeding located in the abdominal area, and find a reason for weight loss, chronic constipation or diarrhea
How is it performed?
- An hour before the procedure, the patient is given an enema to empty their bowels or they might be recommended a laxative the night before.
- Just before the colonoscopy, most people get a sedative.
- The patient lies on their side with their knees drawn up to their chest.
- The doctor guides a flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope into the patient’s anus and guides it up through the rectum and into the colon.
- A camera on the end of the colonoscope transmits images to a monitor.
- Once the scope is positioned, the doctor will inflate the colon using carbon dioxide gas to gain a better view.
- The doctor may remove polyps or a tissue sample for biopsy during this procedure.
- The entire procedure takes about 40 minutes to an hour.
