Colonoscopy

WHEN AND FOR WHAT KIND OF COMPLAINTS IS AN ENDOSCOPIC EXAMINATION PERFORMED?

If the patient's symptoms include recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or anemia, our internal medicine physician may prescribe an endoscopic examination to establish the diagnosis. With an endoscope, small changes can be detected in the gastrointestinal tract that would easily remain undiagnosed by other methods.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE EXAMINATION?

A colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the colon. The endoscope (a flexible fiber-optic tube) is passed through the rectum, through the entire colon to where it meets the small intestine. The examination may involve injecting a small amount of air to dilate the intestinal cavity, which may cause a sensation of pressure or cramping in the abdomen. The examination can be performed under general anesthesia to avoid this discomfort. After anesthesia, as reflexes and judgement may be impaired by the medication given, it is not allowed to drive for 24 hours. After a gastroscopy under anesthesia, a few hours of hospital observation are required. Abdominal distension and short periods of bloating may occur for a few hours. After leaving the hospital, you can resume your normal diet.

A colonoscopy can be used to diagnose inflammatory conditions of the colon, to remove polyps located on the wall of the colon, or to perform biopsies. It can be used to detect sources of possible bleeding, inflammatory processes, anatomical abnormalities, and to diagnose tumors of the colon and rectum. Polyps in the colon may rarely bleed, but are largely asymptomatic, so it is necessary to periodically perform a colonoscopy as a screening test to detect them.

HOW SHOULD I ARRIVE FOR THE EXAMINATION?

The examination is performed on an empty stomach, and liquids should not be consumed for 3 hours before the test either. The day before the test, bowel cleansing should be performed with the received laxative-type medication, according to the instructions provided.

Regular medications should be taken as usual on the morning of the investigation.

Drugs that affect blood clotting should be discontinued or replaced as directed by a doctor prior to testing (based on the advice of your doctor or anesthetist).

On the day before the examination, you may eat a normal breakfast. At noon you should only consume fluids, mashed and low-fiber food, e.g., unthickened broth/stock, mashed potatoes, eggs, etc. Thereafter, solid foods should not be consumed before the examination. Afternoon fluid intake is not restricted.

At 7pm, drink one dose of Picoprep/Citrafleet dissolved in a glass of water (allow for it to cool) after which 2.5-3 liters of fluid should be consumed.

At 6am on the day of the colonoscopy, the second dose of Picoprep should be taken in a similar manner, with 2.5-3 liters of fluid (water, tea, juice) consumed up until 9-10am. The goal is to end up with only fluid leaving the intestines.

Consumable liquids: water, mineral water, soft drinks, herbal tea, unthickened broth/stock, fruit juice, English tea and morning coffee without milk!

Strictly avoid: pulpy tomato juice, beetroot juice!!

No liquid should be consumed for 3 hours before the test.