Colonoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy

Question 1

Why is a colonoscopy done? (what are looking for internally)

Answer 1

When we are concerned with your symptoms coupled with a raised CEA found in your blood

Polpys (harmless growth people have but sometime can become cancerous)
Inflammatory bowel disease (UC / Crohn’s)
Bowel cancer

Question 2

“BEFORE” part of colonoscopy?

Answer 2

2 days prior only eating chicken w/no sauce + white rice / soup (VERY PLAIN)

1 day prior taking satches of laxatives (moviprep) to clear intestines out after having breakfast

Question 3

“DURING” part of colonoscopy

Answer 3

30-45min procedure placed on L.side and flexibile tube through rectum to take biopsies and photos

Question 4

“SE of colonoscopy”

Answer 4

might feel uncomfortable so sedation with gas + air provided which might make you sleepy post colonoscopy (NO DRIVING within 24hrs) arrange someone to pick you up

Slight bleeding in poo next few days + abdominal bloating + pain

Question 5

Risk of colonoscopy

Answer 5

Bowel perforation => Requires Sx + ABx but v rare