If you've never had a colonoscopy before, the anticipation can be uncomfortable. Here are some things that you can expect before, during, and after your colonoscopy.
Before the Colonoscopy
There are a few things that you can do to empty your colon before the exam date. For instance, your diet will be limited to liquids such as water or tea the day before your exam, and you won't be able to eat solid foods. Your doctor may ask you to take a laxative pill or use an enema to further clean out your colon before the x-rays take place. If you have some medications that promote constipation, you'll need to adjust them before your colonoscopy; speak with your doctor to determine whether it's safe to reduce the dosage for your procedure.
During the Procedure
The colonoscopy procedure itself is fairly quick—about 20 minutes to an hour long. it may involve a few different exercises. The doctor will first insert a tool called a colonoscope through your rectum. The doctor can use air pressure to inflate the colon a bit for better viewing. At this time, the doctor may take tissue samples or polyps to be tested as well. The colonoscope also contains a camera which will take footage that the doctor can explore to find any abnormalities in your colon. Although the procedure can cause mild discomfort, you'll also be under a sedative that will help to ease your nerves and discomfort during the procedure.
What Happens Next?
When the colonoscopy is completed, you'll be discharged from the exam room. During the first day, it's normal to feel flatulent or to pass some blood in your first stool. It's a good idea to arrange for someone to escort you from the doctor's office, since the sedative will still be in effect for a few hours after your examination.
The doctor will then examine the results to give you a positive or negative result. The negative colonoscopy result means that the doctor didn't find anything abnormal in the test. A positive result means that more testing needs to be done; it suggests that the doctor found some polyps or unusual tissue in the colon that will be tested for cancer and malignancy.
Colonoscopies are a very standard and common experience to protect your rectal health. It's still ok to be nervous if it's your first time getting the procedure done. You'll be able your doctor's experience and support to make the process go smoothly. For more information, contact clinics like Lincoln Surgical Group PC.
Hello there! I'm Jessica Goodyear. I am an unofficial expert on cosmetic procedures--mostly because I've had a lot of them done. Some people judge me or think I'm fake, but I feel more like myself than I ever have before! It all started when I was a teenager. I broke my nose playing softball, and I had to have plastic surgery on my nose so that I could breathe properly. But my nose looked different afterwards, and I liked it better! Now I save up my money to get something done every few years. Whether it's teeth whitening or veneers, a little bit of liposuction, or new cheekbones, there's something so satisfying about letting your inner beauty shine out through your outer body. I started this site to help break the stereotypes about cosmetic surgeries and to talk about some of the health risks related to them. Check it out!