Medstar

For a Healthier Tomorrow: Colonoscopy Treatment at Medstar Multispeciality Hospital

Is it time to get your colonoscopy? Interested in achieving digestive health with the possibility of early identification of problems? Then you have come to the right place: Medstar Multispeciality Hospital's Colonoscopy Treatment.

What is Colonoscopy Treatment?

It is a procedure applied by our gastroenterologists in viewing the inner lining of the colon and rectum for abnormalities such as polyps, cancer, or inflammation. Our facilities and equipment ensure safety and effectiveness for the procedure.

About the Procedure

The procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes under sedation conducted to comfortably facilitate your visit with your gastroenterologist.

Colonoscopy: A thin, flexible tube containing a camera and light source, inserted into the rectum and passed all through the colon
Colonic visual examination: With a colonoscopy, it is easy for our gastroenterologists to look inside the colon and rectum for abnormalities in appearance
Removal of polyps or biopsies: This can be done by removing polyps or some tissue for biopsy.

Recovery

Post-procedure, the patients are expected to experience minor discomfort, bloating, and gas, mostly tolerable by medication and bed rest. Most of the patients can return to normal within 1 to 2 days; full recovery should be between 3 to 5 days

FAQ

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is the diagnostic procedure used for the examination of the lining of the large intestine. In this procedure, a thin and flexible tube (colonoscope) with a tiny camera and light attached to its tip is inserted through the anal opening to examine the colon. This procedure is performed under sedation and completed in 30-60 minutes.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy?

For the clear examination of the colon during colonoscopy patient is instructed to:

Follow fibre rich and clear liquid diet at least 2 days before
Take laxatives to completely empty the colon before a day and on the day of examination
To adjust doses of medications like insulin or blood-thinning drugs
Arrange someone to drive the patient back home

What are the risks associated with colonoscopy?

Risks associated with colonoscopy can be minimised by taking a detailed medical history and careful monitoring by an experienced doctor. Risks associated with colonoscopy are:

Perforation on the lining of the intestine
Bleeding and infection at the site of tissue or polyp removal
In rare cases, severe abdominal pain, increased heart rate, and fever after a colonoscopy aka Post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome
Infection
Electrolyte imbalance

What is the recovery time of colonoscopy?

It takes a couple of hours to completely wear off the effect of sedatives after colonoscopy. The patient must arrange for someone to drive back home. After an hour patient will experience abdominal cramps and bloating due to gas pumped into the colon during the procedure. Walking around help in relieving these symptoms. The patient will be advised to take a rest for a day.

Can colonoscopy detect cancer of the colon?

Yes, colonoscopy is the diagnostic procedure and remains the golden standard for confirming the cancer of the colon and polyps. This procedure helps in examining the inner lining of the large intestine for any abnormal growth that includes both cancerous growth or polyps. With the help of colonoscopy, the doctor can collect tissues from the abnormal growth for biopsy.

Why do I have to stop medications before the procedure?

Some medications used in medical conditions like diabetes, heart diseases and hypertension, can cause the complication of bleeding, delayed healing and electrolyte imbalance. So before the examination, the patient is advised to stop or adjust the doses of these medications by the attending doctor for a safe and complication-free colonoscopy.