|
These notes give an overall guide to your stay in hospital. You may see some differences in the details of your treatment, since it is tailored to suit your own condition.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Your medical history requires that your lower bowel be inspected for abnormalities. The best way of achieving this is to do a colonoscopy. Some patients, such as those who have had a polyp in the bowel, need to have regular colonoscopies to check that the bowel is healthy.
WHAT DOES A COLONOSCOPY CONSIST OF?
A colonoscopy means passing a flexible telescope (colonoscope) through the rectum into the lower bowel (colon) for a distance of about 5 feet (1.4 metres). Snippets of tissue can be taken and polyps can be snared during the test. The bowel has to be cleaned out to give a clear view. Mild sedation is given to minimise discomfort.
Welcome to the rooms
You will be welcomed to the rooms by the nurses or the receptionist. You will have your details checked. You will be shown to a changing cubicle and asked to change into a gown. Please tell the nurses of any allergies to drugs or dressings. You will be asked to sign a consent form.
Bowel preparation
It is important that the bowel is as clean as possible before the procedure. You will have your usual diet until the day before the procedure. The bowel prepararion consists of solutions (picolax or golytely) designed to draw liquid into the bowel. This liquid purges the bowel causing diarrhoea. Because of this loss of fluid it is important to drink extra fluid to prevent dehydration. This is important in order for the bowel to be empty and clean thus allowing a clear view through the colonoscope. The nursing staff will explain the complete regime for the bowel preparation to you when you make an appointment and give you a detailed instruction sheet..
Other medication
If you have an artificial heart valve or other prosthesis antibiotics are indicated before the procedure. If you are diabetic special precautions might be necessary with your treatment and diet. Please discuss this with the staff.
Premedication
You will be given a sedative injection and the procedure is then performed. You may be slightly drowsy for a while after the procedure ends, and you may remember little of the procedure. Some patients feel a bit sick after the procedure, but this passes off. You will be given some treatment for sickness if necessary.
Will it hurt?
You may have slight tummy cramps as you get rid of air used during the examination. There are times when negotiating corners of the bowel when you may experience sharp cramps. The discomfort is treated with painkillers and sedatives as necessary.
Drinking and eating
You will be able to drink soon after the procedure provided you are not feeling sick.
Opening bowels
You may have diarrhoea for a day or two after the test. You are likely to feel back to normal within 24 hours of the procedure. You can drive within 12 hours of the procedure.
Complications
Damage to the bowel is the most important one but is extremely rare. If you have unexpected pain after the procedure or if you think that all is not well, please ask the nurses or doctors. There may be some bleeding for a day or two if a polyp has been snared. Ask your doctor about more bleeding than this.
|
