Colonoscopies: what to know
Colonoscopy is one of the essential procedures for diagnosing and investigating conditions that can affect the colon, rectum, and bowels. In this article, a consultant gastroenterologist explains what happens during a colonoscopy and what diseases and illnesses it can be used to diagnose.
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopic procedure where an endoscope, a thin and flexible tube with a camera and light at the end, is passed through the anus. On the other end, the scope is connected to a screen that projects the camera’s perspective, allowing doctors a clear and detailed view of the organs and tissues along the lower gastrointestinal system. Colonoscopies have several purposes:
- Diagnosis of issues
- Routine checkups and screenings (such as for colorectal cancer)
- Excision of tissues and cells for analysis (a biopsy), or as part of a treatment (such as for tumours and polyps)
- Monitoring condition and disease progression (such as for intestinal bowel diseases)
- Evaluating symptoms to inform treatment
What are the benefits of a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any incisions, unless for an excision or biopsy, meaning that the patient does not have to worry about scarring, long recovery times, or wound infections. Colonoscopies are also typically short, taking at most an hour, but on average around 20 minutes (this will differ according to the purpose of the colonoscopy).
They allow an in-depth, accurate, colour, highly detailed, and real-time look into the ongoings of the lower gastrointestinal tract and organs.
Regular screenings for colorectal cancer, which are recommended for patients who are over 45 years old, have a family history of colorectal cancer, or have irritable bowel disease, can be largely advantageous in detecting gastrointestinal cancers at an early stage, or even as a preventative, meaning that patients can begin treatment as soon as possible.
What happens during a colonoscopy?
Before the procedure itself, the patient has to prepare themselves by making sure their bowel is clear. This can be achieved with a restricted diet or by ingesting a solution to purge the bowels entirely.
With the patient lying on their side, the scope is inserted through the anus and fed up the colon. As the tube is hollow, other instruments can be inserted through it to achieve whatever specific procedure needs to be performed.
Patients are normally sedated or under an anaesthetic during the procedure for their comfort, though they will feel some soreness and cramping for a day or two afterwards.