Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is done most often in a procedure room at your health care provider's office. It can also be done in the outpatient department of a hospital or medical center. This procedure is most often done by a specially trained doctor called a gastroenterologist. You will be asked to change out of your street clothes…

Your bowel needs to be completely empty and clean for the exam. A problem in your large intestine that needs to be treated may be missed if your intestines are not cleaned out. Your provider will give you the steps for cleansing your bowel. This is called bowel preparation. Steps may include: Using enemas Not eating…

The medicines given for the test will make you sleepy so that you may not feel any discomfort or have any memory of the test. You may feel pressure as the scope moves inside. You may feel brief cramping and gas pains as air is inserted or the scope advances. Passing gas is necessary and should be expected. After the…

Colonoscopy may be done for the following reasons: Abdominal pain , changes in bowel movements, or weight loss Abnormal changes (polyps) found on sigmoidoscopy or x-ray tests (virtual colonoscopy, CT scan , or barium enema ) Anemia due to low iron (usually when no other cause has been found) Blood in the stool , or…

Normal findings are healthy intestinal tissues.

Abnormal test results may mean any of the following: Abnormal pouches on the lining of the intestines, called diverticulosis Areas of bleeding Cancer in the colon or rectum Colitis (a swollen and inflamed intestine) due to Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, infection, or lack of blood flow Small growths called polyps…

Risks of colonoscopy may include any of the following: Heavy or ongoing bleeding from biopsy or removal of polyps Hole or tear in the wall of the colon that requires surgery to repair Infection needing antibiotic therapy (very rare) Reaction to the medicine you are given to relax, causing breathing problems or low…

Garber JJ, Chung DC, eds. Colonic polyps and polyposis syndromes. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management . 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 126. Lawler M, Johnson B, Van Schaeybroeck S, et al.…