COLONOSCOPY

The colon, or large bowel, is the last portion of your digestive tract (also called the gastrointestinal tract). The colon - which is about five feet long -- is a hollow tube that starts at the end of the small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. The colon’s main function is to store unabsorbed food waste and absorb water and other body fluids before the waste is eliminated.

You will be given instructions by your physician in advance that will explain preparations. But your colon should be completely empty - and as such you will likely have to follow a liquid diet for some time period prior. Examples of liquid diet items include fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, diet soda and/or gelatin. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medicine that is mixed in a large volume of a special cleansing solution and/or laxatives.

Please advise your physician in advance if you have heart disease, lung disease or any medical condition that may require special attention. Also, some medications may interfere with preparation or the exam. Inform your doctor as well if you are taking arthritis medications, anticoagulants (blood thinners such as Coumadin, Plaxix or aspirin), insulin or iron products - or if you are pregnant or have had a total joint replacement within the previous year..

You will lie on your side during the colonoscopy which usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. If your physician finds polyps - abnormal growths that vary in size from a tiny dot to several inches - he may remove them using a wire snare and electrical current that he or she passes through the endoscope. Because the doctor cannot always visibly distinguish between benign and cancerous polyps, the polyps are usually sent to a laboratory for review (this can take several days).

Although complications after a colonoscopy are uncommon, there is the possibility of a perforation or tear through the bowel wall that could require surgery.

You may feel some cramping or the sensation of having gas after the procedure, but this usually stops shortly afterwards. After the procedure, you will be taken to our recovery area and an hour or more may be needed for the sedative to wear off afterwards.

Contact your physician (and/or seek medical attention such as emergency room visit) if you notice severe abdominal pain, fever and chills or rectal bleeding of more than one-half cup.

You should be able to eat after the examination. Because of the sedatives, you will need a day to make sure your judgment and reflexes are not impaired before returning to normal activities the day after.