Colonoscopy Preparation

Colon cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States. It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand cases of colon cancer happen each year. It affects both male and female adults worldwide. An early detection is important in curbing the disease before it can become life threatening. One of the most effective ways to detect early signs of the disease is to undergo a colonoscopy procedure.

What is Colonoscopy Procedure?

The following steps are involved in a colonoscopy procedure:

• A colonoscopy procedure checks the internal parts of the rectum and the colon. This procedure can help detect abnormal growths in these areas to enable both the patient and the doctor to immediately address the problems, when they are detected.
• The growths in the colon or rectum are called polyps. These should be removed to prevent them from developing into cancer-causing tumors.
• During this procedure, an instrument called a colonoscope is inserted into the patient’s anus. This scope transfers images of the patient’s large and small intestines onto a computer monitor.
• This enables the doctor to check for abnormal growths along the linings of the intestines. If polyps are found, these can be removed using colonoscopy and then submitted to the laboratory for further testing.
• During the procedure, the doctor can also take tissue samples for biopsy.

Preparation for Colonoscopy

Undergoing colonoscopy does not require the patient to be admitted to the hospital overnight. This is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour to complete, including the recovery period. The following simple steps are required for preparing for the colonoscopy procedure.

• Prior to undergoing colonoscopy, the doctor will provide the patient with a couple of instructions which he / she must strictly follow in order to fully prepare for the procedure.
• The intestines need to be free from any solid foods and so, the patient may be required to go on a liquid diet for one full day, sometimes even up to three days. Typically, the patient should not take any liquid drink that has red or purple food color in it.
• On the eve of  thecolonoscopy procedure, the patient will be required to take a laxative to clear out the rectum and flush out solid particles.
• Once the patient has been sufficiently prepared for the procedure, he / she will be given a sedative to help relax during the colonoscopy. The patient will be monitored by the doctor and nurses to ensure that all the vital signs of the patient remain stable.

Recovery After Colonoscopy Procedure

After the procedure, the patient may experience cramps or may feel slightly bloated. The patient will need to stay in the hospital for at least an hour to allow the sedative to wear off. He / she can expect to fully recover from this procedure after twenty-four hours.