What are the side effects of a colonoscopy? How do you prepare for a colonoscopy? Get the answers to these questions and more in our comprehensive guide.

Understanding Colonoscopy Procedures

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows healthcare providers to examine the inside of the entire colon (large intestine). During the procedure, a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and advanced through the colon. The colonoscope has a light and tiny camera at the end, allowing the provider to see the condition of the colon and detect any abnormalities, such as polyps or signs of cancer.

The colon is divided into four main sections: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. The rectum, which connects the colon to the anus, is also examined during a colonoscopy. By thoroughly examining the entire colon, healthcare providers can identify and address various gastrointestinal issues, including cancer, inflammation, ulcers, and more.

Reasons for Colonoscopy

There are several key reasons why a healthcare provider may recommend a colonoscopy:

Cancer Screening

Colonoscopy is a widely-used screening tool for detecting colorectal cancer, the third most common type of cancer in the United States. Regular colonoscopy screenings can help identify precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer, allowing for timely intervention and improved treatment outcomes.

Investigating Gastrointestinal Issues

Colonoscopy can be used to diagnose and evaluate a range of gastrointestinal problems, such as unexplained diarrhea, bleeding, or abdominal pain. By examining the colon, healthcare providers can identify the underlying cause of these issues and develop appropriate treatment plans.

Monitoring and Treating Known Conditions

Colonoscopy may also be used to monitor the progression of known conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Additionally, colonoscopy can be employed to treat certain problems, such as removing polyps or addressing narrowed areas of the colon.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

Proper preparation is crucial for a successful colonoscopy. Healthcare providers will provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for the procedure, which typically involves the following steps:

Dietary Restrictions

You will be required to follow a specific diet for a designated period before the colonoscopy, often including no solid food for 24-48 hours prior and only clear liquids on the day of the procedure. This ensures that your colon is thoroughly cleaned and ready for the examination.

Bowel Cleansing

To completely empty your colon, you will be instructed to take laxatives or enemas as directed by your healthcare provider. This process helps ensure that the colonoscope can effectively visualize the entire colon during the procedure.

Medication Adjustments

Inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medicines, and supplements. They may recommend adjusting or temporarily discontinuing certain medications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the colonoscopy.

Potential Side Effects of Colonoscopy

While colonoscopy is generally a safe and well-tolerated procedure, there are some potential side effects that patients should be aware of:

Bleeding

Slight bleeding may occur, particularly if a biopsy or polyp removal is performed during the colonoscopy. This bleeding is typically minor and resolves on its own, but in rare cases, it may require additional treatment.

Nausea and Vomiting

Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, or rectal irritation due to the colonoscopy procedure or the preparatory bowel cleansing process.

Perforation

While rare, it is possible for the colonoscope to create a small hole or tear in the intestinal wall, a complication known as perforation. This is a serious event that may require immediate medical attention and treatment.

Reactions to Sedation

The use of sedatives or anesthesia during the colonoscopy can occasionally result in adverse reactions, such as an allergic response or excessive drowsiness.

It’s important to discuss any concerns or questions about potential side effects with your healthcare provider before the colonoscopy procedure.

What to Expect During a Colonoscopy

On the day of the colonoscopy, you will typically be asked to arrive at the healthcare facility a short time before the scheduled procedure. You will be asked to change into a gown and may receive an intravenous (IV) line for the administration of sedatives or pain medication.

During the colonoscopy, you will lie on your side while the healthcare provider gently inserts the colonoscope into your rectum and advances it through the colon. The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes, although it may take longer if any abnormalities are found and need to be addressed.

After the colonoscopy, you will be monitored in a recovery area as the effects of the sedatives wear off. Your healthcare provider will discuss the results of the procedure and any necessary next steps.

Recovering from a Colonoscopy

Most people experience a relatively quick and uneventful recovery from a colonoscopy. Some common post-procedure symptoms may include:

• Mild abdominal discomfort or bloating due to the air introduced during the procedure
• Slight rectal irritation or discomfort from the colonoscope insertion
• Temporary changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation

These symptoms are typically mild and resolve within a day or two. It’s important to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider regarding rest, activity levels, and dietary restrictions during the recovery period.

In the event of more severe symptoms, such as persistent bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or signs of infection, it is crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately. They can determine if additional medical attention or intervention is required.

Conclusion

Colonoscopy is a critical tool for the early detection and management of various gastrointestinal conditions, including colorectal cancer. By understanding the procedure, potential side effects, and proper preparation, individuals can take an active role in their healthcare and ensure a safe and successful colonoscopy experience.

Colonoscopy | Johns Hopkins Medicine

A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your health care provider check the inside of your entire colon (large intestine).

The procedure is done using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. The tube has a light and a tiny camera on one end. It is put in your rectum and moved into your colon.

In addition to letting your provider see the inside of your colon, the tube can be used to:

• Clean the lining of your colon using irrigation (a water jet)
• Remove any liquid stool with a suction device
• Inject air into your bowel to make it easier to see inside
• Work inside your bowel with surgical tools

During a colonoscopy, your provider may remove tissue or polyps (abnormal growths) for further examination. He or she may also be able to treat problems that are found.

Anatomy of the Colon

The colon is the last section of your digestive system. It absorbs water to change waste from liquid to solid stool. The large intestine is about 5 feet long in adults. It has the following four sections:

• Ascending colon: extends upward on the right side of your belly
• Transverse colon: extends from the ascending colon across your body to the left side
• Descending colon: extends from the transverse colon downward on your left side
• Sigmoid colon: extends from the descending colon to your rectum

The rectum joins the anus, which is the opening where stool passes out of your body.

Why might I need a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy can help your provider look for problems in your colon. These include any early signs of cancer, inflamed (red or swollen) tissue, ulcers (open sores) and bleeding.

Cancer Screening

Colonoscopy is also used to screen for colon cancer and rectal cancer. Screening involves looking for cancer in individuals who do not have any symptoms of the disease.

Colonoscopy can also be used to check the colon after cancer treatment.

Checking and Treating Problems

A colonoscopy may be used to check and, if needed, treat problems such as:

• Colon polyps
• Tumors
• Ulcerations
• Inflammation
• Diverticula (pouches) along the colon wall
• Narrowed areas (strictures) of the colon
• Any objects that might be in the colon

It may also be used to find the cause of unexplained, chronic (long-term) diarrhea or bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Results of Other Tests

Colonoscopy may be used when other tests show the need for additional testing. These include the following:

• Barium enema
• Computed tomography (CT) colonography (also called virtual colonoscopy)
• Tests for blood in the stool
• Stool DNA tests
• Sigmoidoscopy

Your health care provider may have other reasons to recommend a colonoscopy.

What are the risks of a colonoscopy?

As with any invasive procedure, complications may occur. Complications related to colonoscopy include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Continued bleeding after biopsy (tissue sample) or polyp removal
• Nausea, vomiting, bloating or rectal irritation caused by the procedure or by the preparatory bowel cleansing
• A bad reaction to the pain medicine or the sedative (medicine used to provide a relaxing, calming effect)
• A perforation (hole) in the intestinal wall, which is a rare complication

You may have other risks related to your condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your provider before the procedure.

How do I get ready for a colonoscopy?

Your health care provider will fully explain the procedure and answer your questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form prior to the test. Read the form carefully and ask any questions you may have.

Dietary Instructions

You must not eat or drink for a specified amount of time before the procedure. This often means no food or drink after midnight or a restricted schedule with the laxative and water sips allowed until a couple hours before the colonoscopy. You may be given additional instructions about a special diet to follow for one or two days before the procedure. It is absolutely mandatory to follow your particular instructions carefully to avoid cancellation and to ensure a safe, effective test.

Notifications for Your Doctor

Before your colonoscopy, tell your provider:

• If you are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape oranesthesia medicines (local and general)
• About all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medicines, vitamins, herbs and other supplements
• If you have a history of bleeding disorders
• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

Bowel Preparation

Your health care provider will give you instructions on how to prepare your bowel for the test. You may be asked to take a laxative, an enema or a rectal laxative suppository. Or you may have to drink a special fluid that helps clean out your colon.

Medications Before and After the Procedure

If you are taking any blood-thinning medicines, aspirin, ibuprofen or other medicines that affect blood clotting, they may need to be stopped before the procedure. If you have a heart valve disease, you may be given disease-fighting antibiotics before the procedure.

Prior to the procedure, you will be given pain medicine and a sedative. After the procedure, someone must drive you home.

The Importance of Good Bowel Preparation During Colonoscopy

In this video, learn why the bowel preparation for a colonoscopy is so important to the results of the procedure.

What happens during a colonoscopy?

You may have a colonoscopy in an outpatient setting or as part of your stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary depending on your condition and your health care provider’s practices.

Generally, the colonoscopy follows this process:

1. You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that mightget in the way during the procedure.
2. You may be asked to remove your clothing and put on a hospital gown.
3. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into your arm or hand. A sedative or a pain medicine will be injected into the IV.
4. You will be given oxygen to breathe.
5. Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level will be checked during the procedure.
6. You will be asked to lie on your left side with your knees pulled up towards your chest.
7. A lubricated tube will be put into your anus and moved into your rectum and colon. You may feel mild pain, pressure or cramping during the procedure. A sedative is used to reduce your discomfort.
8. Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you may be completely asleep during the procedure. If awake, you may be asked to take slow, deep breaths while the tube is being inserted. This helps to relax your abdominal muscles and decrease the discomfort. You may also be asked to change your position to help the tube pass through.
9. Air may be injected into your bowel. This may make it easier to see the inside surfaces. A water jet may also be used to clean the lining of your colon. A suction device may be used to remove any liquid stool.
10. The health care provider will check your colon and may take photos. If a polyp is seen, it may be taken out. Or it may be left in the colon until a future procedure is performed.
11. After the procedure is over, the tube will be taken out.

Need to learn more about colorectal cancer?

Our team is dedicated to developing multidisciplinary treatment plans for
complicated, advanced colon and rectal cancers.

Learn more

What happens after a colonoscopy?

After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room to be monitored. Your recovery process will depend on the type of sedative you were given. Once your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are stable and you are awake and alert, you will be taken to your hospital room. Or you may be discharged to your home.

You can usually eat whatever you can tolerate after the procedure. Some people start with small, bland meals.

It is normal to be flatulent (pass gas) and experience gas pains after the procedure. Walking and moving around may help to ease any mild pain.

You should not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours. You may be asked to drink extra fluids to make up for the water you lost as you got ready for the procedure.

Tell your provider if you experience any of the following:

• Fever or chills
• Frequent, bloody stools
• Belly pain or swelling
• A hardened belly
• The inability to pass gas

Your health care provider may give you other instructions depending on your situation.

Prep, Diet, Side Effects & Complications

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by

Bradford Tan, MD, Chair, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, City of Hope Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix.

This page was reviewed on November 15, 2021.

A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for detecting colon and rectal cancers early—sometimes even before they become cancers. As many as nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why do I need a screening colonoscopy?

The American Cancer Society recommends that people who are at average risk for colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45, with a colonoscopy exam (or stool test). Other organizations suggest starting such screening at age 50 if you are at average risk.

Average risk for colorectal cancer means that you don’t have a:

• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of precancerous colon polyps
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Genetic syndrome that predisposes you to colon cancer
• History of radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer

If you’re at an increased risk for colon cancer, you may need to start screening earlier and take other precautions. Other reasons your doctor may suggest a colonoscopy include unexplained changes in bathroom habits, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss. In these instances, the colonoscopy is considered diagnostic and isn’t a screening tool.

How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?

Prepping requires a thorough cleansing of the colon so little or no stool remains. If there is stool, your doctor can’t see the lining of your colon, and you may need to repeat the test (and the prep).

• Low-fiber diet: Research has shown that limiting your diet for several days prior to having a colonoscopy achieves better results. You may be required to avoid fiber-rich foods (including certain fruits and vegetables, seeds, popcorn and whole grains), and instead consume only low-fiber, refined foods that are easily digested.
• Clear liquid diet: Prep will likely start with a clear liquid diet (broth, lemon or lime gelatin, sports drinks, tea, apple or white grape juice, water) for one to three days before the procedure. It’s important to avoid red- and purple-colored drinks or gelatin, as these can look like blood during your colonoscopy.
• Adjust medications and supplements as directed: Some medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can increase risk of bleeding or may interfere with the procedure, so make sure to let your doctor know which over-the-counter remedies, vitamins and supplements you’re taking.
• Bowel cleansing protocol: You’ll also need to take a combination of laxatives, most often on the night before and the morning of the procedure. They can be mixed with clear liquid and/or taken as pills, and they work by loosening stool and increasing bowel movements.
• Enema kit: Your doctor may also prescribe an enema, which is a liquid or gas that is flushed into your anus to clean out stool.

When you’re consuming the colonoscopy prep diet, expect diarrhea and stay close to a bathroom. How can you tell if you prepped correctly? You should be passing liquid that is clear enough to see through. Make sure to drink enough fluids during bowel prep to avoid dehydration.

What can I expect during a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on if the doctor needs to remove any polyps or take biopsies. Patients should expect to be at the facility for up to three hours to ensure adequate prep and recovery.

• During the procedure, the doctor inserts a colonoscope (a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a lens and a scraper tool for removing tissue) through the anus into the rectum and colon.
• Air is pumped into the colon to expand its circumference and allow for a better view of its lining.
• You may receive general anesthesia (asleep) or conscious sedation (awake, but not fully aware) during the colonoscopy. If polyps are discovered, your doctor may remove them at this time. If any abnormal tissue is found, a biopsy may also be taken.
• Though you won’t feel pain during the procedure, you may experience bloating and cramping in your abdominal area for about an hour after your colonoscopy.

Your doctor will discuss anesthesia options in advance of the procedure. These medicines are usually given intravenously, along with pain medication. A doctor, nurse or another member of the health care team will check your vital signs and make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the entire procedure.

If your doctor sees any abnormal or possibly precancerous or cancerous growths, they typically remove them during the colonoscopy. These precancerous polyps can grow for years and change into cancer without causing any symptoms.

What kind of doctor performs a colonoscopy?

A gastroenterologist who has been specially trained in the procedure will perform your colonoscopy.

• Guidelines outlined by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommend that any doctor who performs a colonoscopy should have completed a gastroenterology fellowship or surgical residency program.
• Additionally, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, the gastroenterologist should have a perforation rate of less than one in 500 colonoscopies—this is the rate at which the doctor has created a hole in the colon in error during the procedure.
• Having a board-certified gastroenterologist perform the procedure is highly recommended, as they complete even more colonoscopy training and must take ongoing medical education classes.

What happens after the colonoscopy procedure?

Your doctor will let you know how it went and whether any polyps were found or removed and sent off to a lab for a biopsy. It may take a few days to get these results, which will guide the next steps.

Typically, patients are groggy after a colonoscopy. This is because it takes time for the anesthesia to fully wear off, and you’ll need someone to drive you home. During recovery, you may be offered something to drink and/or eat. It’s normal to feel bloated and gassy after the procedure. You’ll also be encouraged to pass gas to remove any of the bloating. Typically, patients can resume eating normally the next day unless the doctor advises otherwise.

Colonoscopy recovery and side effects

Typically, patients are groggy after a colonoscopy because it takes time for the anesthesia to fully wear off. That means you’ll need someone to drive you home. Plan to stay at the facility for one to two hours after your colonoscopy. During recovery, you may be offered something to drink and/or eat. It’s normal to feel bloated and gassy after the procedure; abdominal cramping may also occur. You’ll be encouraged to pass gas to help reduce bloating. You may pass liquid and/or liquid stool after your colonoscopy but, within one to five days, your bowel movements should return to normal. If you’ve had a biopsy, it’s normal to experience anal bleeding or bloody stool after the procedure. Delayed bleeding may also occur for up to two weeks afterward.

What can I eat after a colonoscopy?

Typically, patients may resume eating normally the next day unless the doctor advises otherwise. After the procedure, it’s recommended that you start with light meals, gradually introducing solid foods on the first day. It may be helpful to stick with bland, low-fiber foods for 24 hours after your colonoscopy.

For example, safe foods may include:

• Milk and low-fat dairy
• Cooked vegetables
• Potatoes
• Canned fruit and applesauce
• Bananas, melons
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Breads, cereals, pastas and crackers (not whole grain)
• Pudding and gelatin
• Eggs
• Graham crackers
• Broth
• Weak tea

It may be helpful to avoid these foods the day of your procedure:

• Foods high in fat
• Hard and blue cheeses
• Raw vegetables
• Dried fruits
• Whole grain breads, cereals, pastas and crackers
• Spicy, fried or fermented foods
• High-sugar foods
• Nuts and seeds
• Cured meats and fish
• Alcohol and caffeine

Colonoscopy complications and risks

A colonoscopy is considered a safe and life-saving procedure, but like with all medical procedures, it’s not without risks. Some of the most common risks include:

• Bleeding, especially if polyps are removed or a biopsy is performed
• Delayed bleeding up to two weeks after the colonoscopy
• A reaction to the anesthesia

Another risk—and one that is feared—is a perforation or hole through the wall of the colon. It’s important to know the risk of a perforated colon is extremely low. The care team will review all possible risks with you before the procedure.

Colonoscopy

HomeFor patientsDiagnosticsTypes of examinationsEndoscopic examinationsColonoscopy

Colonoscopy (videocolonoscopy, FCC) is a modern instrumental examination of the inner surface of the large intestine using an optical device – a colonoscope. Colonoscopy is the most modern and accurate diagnostic method that allows to detect malignant and benign neoplasms of the rectum and colon, nonspecific inflammatory diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease), as well as congenital anomalies in the development of the colon. Such an examination provides sufficient information about the tone of the intestine and the ability to contract. This diagnostic method allows not only to assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa, but also to make a targeted biopsy from a suspicious area in order to obtain a morphological verification of the process.

The method is the basis of colorectal cancer screening.

Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic method in which a visual examination of the mucous membrane of the rectum and, in some cases, the distal sigmoid colon is performed. The study is performed with a rigid (rectoscope) or flexible endoscope (colonoscope). Specialists of the Department of Endoscopy of the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology recommend that patients undergo rectosigmoscopy, during which the endoscopist examines not only the rectum, but also the sigmoid colon completely before it passes into the descending colon. At the same time, we draw the attention of patients to the fact that this procedure does not involve the assessment of the mucosa of the blind, ascending, transverse colon and descending colon, while the pathological process can be localized in these unexamined sections.

Indications for routine diagnostic colonoscopy are:

• Presence of pus, mucus and blood in the stool
• Chronic diarrhea and constipation
• Pain in the abdomen along the colon, bloating
• Subfebrile condition (fever over a long period) of unclear etiology,
• Slimming
• Unexplained anemia
• Sensation of a foreign body in the rectum
• Benign and malignant neoplasms of the colon diagnosed by other studies (irrigoscopy, CT, MRI)
• Search for primary tumor if metastases are found
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of conservative or surgical treatment
• Screening for colon cancer

Contraindications for the procedure:

• acute myocardial infarction and decompensated cardiopulmonary failure
• stroke
• fulminant colitis
• acute infectious process of any localization
• acute diverticulitis
• aortic aneurysm
• tense ascites

85% of colon cancer patients are over 60 years of age. According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, a colonoscopy should be performed for every healthy person after 55 years of age once every 10 years. If there is an increased risk of the disease in the family (in first-degree relatives, especially if the patient developed colon cancer before the age of 45), the first preventive colonoscopy should be performed 10 years before the age at which cancer was detected in relatives. If certain complaints or indications appear, then a colonoscopy should be carried out immediately

Preparation for colonoscopy: http://www.niioncologii.ru/preparation#ei

Colonoscopy – does it hurt or not?

Most patients’ doubts about the need for a colonoscopy are based on fear of the pain they are expected to endure. Such different and conflicting reviews about the procedure are due to different pain thresholds and congenital structural features of the gastrointestinal tract.

As a rule, the examination does not cause significant pain in the patient, therefore it is performed without anesthesia. Some discomfort may occur when air is injected and the colonoscope passes through intestinal flexures, such as the hepatic and splenic junctions of the colon. But these sensations are usually tolerable. With good preparation of the patient, the procedure usually lasts 15-20 minutes

Patients with abdominal adhesive disease, as well as those who have undergone major abdominal and pelvic surgery, the procedure can be very painful and lengthy. In such situations, the examination is carried out under anesthesia.

The endoscopist will inform you about the results of the examination immediately after the examination, and when taking a biopsy, the morphological conclusion will be ready in 8–12 days

You can eat and drink immediately after the procedure, and food after colonoscopy does not require any restrictions. If the patient still has a feeling of bloating, you can take 10 tablets of activated charcoal, previously crushed and dissolved in half a glass of warm water.

Possible complications of colonoscopy

In general, colonoscopy is a fairly safe method of examination, which rarely leads to serious complications.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if you develop symptoms such as:

• Temperature above 38 C

hours or days after your colonoscopy

• Abdominal pains
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Profuse bleeding from the rectum
• Severe weakness, dizziness, loss of consciousness.

7 important questions about colonoscopy – useful information for patients, Vitbiomed clinic blog +

Text: Irina Frolova

Colonoscopy is perhaps the most frightening examination for most of us. Here is the fear of physical pain, and psychological discomfort, and embarrassment, and shame. In addition, little is written and talked about colonoscopy, and few people know that this study can save a life. In particular, it is the best way to diagnose colorectal cancer and other bowel diseases.

How do I know if I need a colonoscopy?

People with no personal or family history of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease do not need a colonoscopy until age 50 (unless you have suspicious symptoms, of course). After the age of 50 years, it is recommended to undergo this examination every 10 years.

However, if you or your relatives have been diagnosed with these conditions, you should start testing earlier and more often.

Do I need to follow a special diet before the procedure?

A week before the colonoscopy, it is recommended to switch to a low-fiber diet, avoid fatty foods, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts. For what? The fact is that for a successful procedure, so that the doctor sees everything he needs, the intestines must be clean, and these products can remain in the intestines longer than other foods.

Doctors recommend eating chicken, turkey, eggs, white bread, yogurt and spinach for a week before the procedure. Quality preparation for a colonoscopy is the most important part of the procedure. Otherwise, the doctor may not see the polyp, will do a colonoscopy longer, or the procedure will have to be repeated altogether.

What to do on the eve of a coloscopy?

Many people think that they should eat nothing at all. This is not true, but a liquid diet is recommended: water, chicken or beef broth, coffee and tea (no milk or cream).

How to prepare for the procedure?

Most importantly, your bowel must be completely empty during the colonoscopy. And that’s the annoying part of the preparation. Different doctors recommend different ways to cleanse the intestines: these can be enemas or special preparations, such as Forlax. The bowel cleansing process takes several hours.

So, what happens during the colonoscopy itself?

So, you have completely cleansed your intestines – the day before or in the morning before the procedure – and you go to the doctor. On this day, you can not eat, drink or chew anything (even water and chewing gum). Colonoscopy can be performed under general anesthesia (light sedation) or without. In our country, sedation is an additional option that is not available in all clinics and is never offered under compulsory medical insurance.

During the procedure without anesthesia, the patient experiences slight discomfort – physical and psychological, but does not experience pain. A flexible thin hose with a camera at the end is inserted into the rectum, the doctor passes it through the entire intestine and sees the display of the internal surface of the intestine on the monitor.

If you choose to have an anesthetic procedure, you will not feel a thing – you will fall asleep before the colonoscopy and wake up afterwards.

Will there be side effects?

The colonoscope does not cause any damage to the intestines or anus. However, during the procedure, the doctor may blow air into the intestines to straighten its loops and better see the walls.