How to Prepare For a Colonoscopy
When you get Colonoscopy Phoenix you will need to change your diet and take laxatives. These are usually pills or liquid.

A doctor will put a lubricated tube through your anus and into your rectum and colon. The end of the tube has a camera that sends images to a monitor.
A colonoscopy lets doctors look inside the lining of the rectum and colon (large intestine or bowel). It is an important part of screening for colorectal cancer, which is the third leading cause of death in both men and women in the States. Most people over age 50 should undergo routine screening for this disease.
Doctors can see and remove polyps, and also test for signs of bowel cancer such as bleeding, changes in stool consistency or unexplained abdominal pain. Almost everyone who has a colonoscopy does not have bowel cancer but sometimes abnormal tissue is found, and the results can be used to help plan treatment.
Most people have a colonoscopy in a hospital, medical office or outpatient center. Before the procedure begins, you wear a hospital gown and have a health care professional insert a tube in a vein in your arm or hand (an intravenous line or IV). A medicine called sedation makes you very drowsy so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the test. You might also be given painkillers through this tube.
A special tube with a light and camera on the end (a colonoscope) is inserted through your anus and into your rectum. This tube may be inflated with air or carbon dioxide to make it easier for the doctor to see. The doctor might also remove a small piece of tissue (biopsy) for further examination.
You may need to drink a lot of liquids or take a laxative the day before and the morning of your colonoscopy to empty your bowel. This is necessary to avoid the possibility of serious complications, such as dehydration. If you become very dehydrated, you might experience nausea, vomiting or a sudden change in your bowel habits, which could be life-threatening.
During the colonoscopy, you might have some cramping and gas pain in your tummy from the air or carbon dioxide that was put into your bowel. This usually goes away quickly. Some people might have small amounts of blood in their first bowel movement after the test, which is normal. However, if the blood is large or there are clots in your stools, you should call your doctor right away.
Preparation for a colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is performed by an endoscopist — a doctor who specialises in bowel examinations. It is usually done as an outpatient in the hospital endoscopy department. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the procedure. The doctor will explain the test to you and answer any questions you may have.
You will be given a bowel prep kit with clear instructions to follow before the procedure. You will need to stop eating solid foods from midnight on the night before your colonoscopy and drink only clear fluids such as water, tea without milk or sugar, and juice until a few hours before the test. You will also need to take a laxative medication. Your bowel needs to be empty for the test to be successful.
On the day of your test you will be asked to come to the hospital or clinic at a specific time and change into a gown. You will then be given painkillers and a medicine to make you drowsy (sedation). The sedative may wear off slowly or quickly. You will be asked to lie on the hospital table while the specialist puts a tool called a colonoscope into your anus and up through your rectum and large intestine. The colonoscope has a camera at the end, which sends a video image to a monitor. The specialist may move you on the table several times to get a better view of your colon and rectum lining. When the specialist reaches the opening to your small intestine, they will withdraw the tool and check the lining again.
A bowel inspection usually finds nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes find growths (polyps) that need further investigation. Polyps are normally benign (not cancerous), but if they are large or multiply, they can become cancer. The doctor will usually remove any polyps during a colonoscopy and send them for testing. If the results show that there are abnormal cells, you will be offered further tests and possibly treatment.
A colonoscopy is the most important way to check for colon cancer and rectal cancer. It is also the best test for detecting and treating polyps. If polyps are removed, they can be prevented from becoming cancerous in the future.
During a colonoscopy
In the days leading up to a colonoscopy, you will be instructed to follow specific dietary restrictions. This may include avoiding foods like nuts, seeds and high-fiber items. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids in the days before your procedure.
On the day of your procedure, you will need to get to the hospital early. Once you are admitted, a nurse will place an intravenous (IV) needle into a vein in your arm or hand to administer the sedatives or anesthesia that you need for the procedure. The gastroenterologist and someone from the anesthesia team will then explain the procedure to you once again, talk about any risks, and answer any questions that you have. You will be asked to sign a consent form at this point, which confirms that you understand and agree to the procedure.
The procedure itself is very short and does not usually cause any pain. The doctor will insert a long, thin tube called a colonoscope through your anus and into the large intestine (colon). The end of the colonoscope has a light and camera, which the doctor uses to examine the lining of the colon. The doctor can also insert air into the bowel to inflate it and make it easier for them to see. If the doctor finds anything that needs further examination, they will remove the colonoscope and send it for tests.
After the procedure is complete, you will remain in the hospital for a couple of hours until the effect of the sedation wears off. You will need to arrange for a ride home because you will not be able to drive.
It is normal to feel some pressure, bloating or cramping after the colonoscopy. It is also common to have a small amount of blood in your first bowel movement after the procedure. However, these symptoms are not necessarily cause for concern and should improve as your body adjusts to the process. You should consult with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after two to three days.
Post-colonoscopy care
Once the procedure is over, you will be wheeled to a recovery room or cubicle and monitored until you awaken from the sedative. Your doctor will then give you something to eat and drink, and ask whether you are experiencing any side effects such as nausea or dizziness. If you are feeling well, your doctor will clear you to leave. It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions regarding medication and avoid driving, as the sedative may make you drowsy. You should also have someone drive you home after the procedure and remain supervised until you feel ready to return to your normal routine.
A few days after the colonoscopy, you should start eating a normal diet. It is best to eat foods such as crackers, applesauce and broth at first, and avoid anything that could be difficult to digest or heavy on the stomach. You should also continue to take any medications that you were prescribed, including pain relievers and stool softeners. It is also important that you avoid alcohol.
If you experience severe abdominal pain or any other unusual symptoms after a colonoscopy, you should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms can indicate complications like perforation or excessive bleeding. You should also contact your gastroenterologist as soon as possible, and let them know what symptoms you are experiencing.
You may feel bloated or gassy after your colonoscopy due to the air that was injected into your bowel during the procedure. However, this will subside within a few hours. It is also important to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and electrolyte-replenishing drinks.
A colonoscopy is an effective tool for detecting and treating digestive disorders. It can help diagnose and treat cancerous polyps, as well as screen for colon cancer by identifying any abnormalities in the lining of the colon. If your doctor finds any polyps during the colonoscopy, they can be removed using a special tool. This can significantly lower your chances of developing colon cancer in the future. Moreover, your doctor can also use the colonoscopy to remove colon polyps that are growing rapidly and might become cancerous in the near future.