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When is a colonoscopy necessary?
A colonoscopy will be proposed by a doctor if the patient complains about pain in the lower stomach or if there is chronic diarrhoea or blood in the stools.
The examination is able to show if there are e.g. inflammations or polyps. Polyps can change from benign to malignant over time but, if the doctor finds the polyps in time, he is able to remove them during the examination. The existence of polyps can only be detected via a colonoscopy. Regular early detection examinations of the colon are very important since polyps can cause pain if left undetected.
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What happens during an examination?
Before the examination the patient has to drink a laxative, to completely clean the bowel and must not eat for more than 20 hours beforehand. The examination is usually done in the morning while the patient is fasting and after receiving a sedative.
The endoscope 4) will be inserted via the anus into the rectum and then the colon 1) In the colon the doctor is able to look closely at the mucosa and to see smallest changes on the monitor.
The examination is normally done on an out-patient basis, but if the patient receives a sedative he should not drive or operate machinery afterwards.
2) Small intestine
3) Stomach
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