Treatments

Colonoscopy

The term "colonoscopy" means looking inside the colon. It is a procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, a well-trained subspecialist.

Colonoscopy is more precise than an X-ray. This procedure also allows other instruments to be passed through the colonoscope. These may be used, for example, to painlessly remove a suspicious-looking growth or to take a biopsy-a small piece for further analysis. In this way, colonoscopy may help to avoid surgery or to better define what type of surgery may need to be done.

Colonoscopy is a safe and effective way to evaluate problems such as blood loss, pain, and changes in bowel habits such as chronic diarrhoea or abnormalities that may have first been detected by other tests. Colonoscopy can also identify and treat active bleeding from the bowel.

Colonoscopy is also an important way to check for colon cancer and to treat colon polyps - abnormal growths on the inside lining of the intestine. Polyps vary in size and shape and, while most are not cancerous, some may turn into cancer. However, it is not possible to tell just by looking at a polyp if it is malignant or potentially malignant. This is why colonoscopy is often used to remove polyps, a technique called a polypectomy.

Indications for colonoscopy are:

• Rectal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anaemia.
• Abdominal pain and alteration in bowel habit
• The presence of colorectal cancer risk factors
• Clarification of barium enema findings
• Positive Faecal occult test.
• Indication for repeat colonoscopy
• Patients with previous bowel polyps or cancer
• Surveillance of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Patients with a family history of bowel cancer or polyps in first degree relatives.

Preparing for the procedure

Your colon must be free of faeces. Your surgeon will provide you with instructions on how to clear your colon prior to the examination. This will involve modification of your diet, and you also need to take some "bowel prep" (laxative). Please ask your surgeon for these instructions. If preparation of the colon is incomplete, your surgeon may have to repeat the procedure at another time.

NOTE: If you have diabetes, be sure to discuss your condition with your surgeon before you undertake any period of fasting.

Recovery

Once your examination (or possibly treatment) is complete, you are escorted to a recovery area. You will not be able to eat or drink for about an hour and may need to stay in the recovery area for up to three hours. Depending on the extent of the treatment you had during the endoscopic procedure, your surgeon may want you to stay overnight for observation. Arrange to have a friend or relative take you home. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, drink alcohol or make important decisions until the next day (sometimes longer if your recovery is slow).

Colonoscopy patients report felling bloated and often pass a lot of gas. Walking may relieve this. You may also pass small quantities of blood in the first stool. If larger amounts of blood are passed, contact your surgeon.