Colonoscopy is an investigation that allows the doctor to look inside the large intestine (rectum and colon) using a flexible instrument equipped with a small room called the colonoscopy. This investigation is of great help in detecting polyps, ulcerated areas, areas of tumors or inflamed or bleeding. May be taken during colonoscopy biopsy of the colon or rectum or tumors can be removed at this level. Can be used in a screening to identify and remove potential tumors or malignant cancer of the colon or rectum (Colorectal Cancer).
Colonoscopy is a tool thin, flexible length between 121.9 cm and 182.9 cm. The tiny camera is attached to this colonoscopies can take pictures and videos inside the large intestine. In some cases you can also use fiber optics, digital technology but generally replaced fiber optics. Colonoscopy can be used to examine the entire large intestine, but also to examine only a small portion of intestine. Another test called sigmoidoscopy can show only the lower rectum and the last third of the colon.
Investigation should be done before bowel preparation. This training may take a day or two depending on medical requirements. In some cases fit only the evening before the test preparation. For many, this training is more difficult than the investigation itself. Be the training day to stay home because they will often go to the bathroom. Preparation for colonoscopy the patient will have more seats to the appearance diarrhea because the digestive tract must be emptied for the viewing tube to be as good. Preparation for colonoscopy can be bothered you may feel hungry. Special solution before drinking it would be necessary to prepare patients to have at hand a fruit juice or another drink after drink for it because that solution has a salty taste.
Colonoscopy is required when:
-No problems or certain diseases to the anus, rectum or bowel. This examination is necessary when the patient shows symptoms like unexplained bleeding from the rectum, chronic diarrhea or constipation, occult bleeding and visible in stool, pain in lower abdominal
-Wants assessment results from abnormal barium examination
Is made a Colorectal cancer screening or colon polyps. Most experts recommend screening persons without risk factors for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50. Tests to determine occult bleeding with sigmoidoscopy are recommended, but can be used Barite colonoscopy or double-contrast examination. If testing for occult bleeding or double contrast barium examination are abnormal may recommend a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
is recommended that persons who have increased risks of cancer of the colon to make such examination at the age of 40 years. Depending on the level of risk may include screening tests to detect occult bleeding, sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast examination or colonoscopy Barite. If people with increased risk of colon cancer are better that they are advised by your doctor about the most useful examination in each case.
Colonoscopy can be done in the following situations:
-Screening in case of surgery for colon cancer or rectal cancer to see whether there are recurrent
-Monitoring the growth of polyps that can not be completely removed
-Monitored treatment in inflammatory bowel diseases
-Extraction of foreign bodies
-Evaluating the causes of chronic diarrhea
Investigation sources, if bleeding from the digestive tract.
Preparing for investigation
Before colonoscopy should be discussed with your doctor about:
A possibly ongoing treatment such as insulin or other medicines used to treat arthritis. Talk to your doctor if these medicines will be administered on the day when proceedings are held
-Any Allergies medicines, including anesthetics
Blood-clotting problems or taking anticoagulation or drugs NSAIDs like aspirin
A history heart disease or other matters of this nature. If the patient take antibiotics before dental interventions should ask your doctor if it was in this case it is necessary to follow such treatment
-Perform a radiology examination with contrast material at least four days ago
-The possibility that the patient is pregnant
It may indicate the patient's doctor to discontinue aspirin or iron with 7 to 14 days before the examination. If the patient should undergo treatment with anticoagulants on a regular basis should discuss with your doctor before.
Before the examination must be prepared colon. Doctor can see the colon as well depends largely on how it is cleaned by content. The following information is necessary for a better preparation of the colon. The doctor will discuss with the patient, and will give directions based on health status, age or any chronic treatment of the patient:
-With a day or two before colonoscopy the patient should not stop eating solid foods and drink only clear liquids such as water, tea, coffee, fruit juices. Must not eat or drink food or juice, red tomatoes. There, more recently, and some helpful solutions to prepare the colon, but this must be discussed with your doctor before
-Doctor will prescribe a laxative the patient it will take the evening before surgery. Sometimes powdery laxative is to be a certain amount of water added, this solution will have to be patient a little drunk for 2 hours. This solution may taste salty and give patients feelings of nausea. Every time you swallow a quantity of solution, you may then drink a quantity of water to get rid of that taste.
-It is best to stay home the night before the test because you have to go to the bathroom often
-Be as patient to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and for a better preparation of the colon
-Not to eat solid food after laxative administration
-Should be avoided with hydration fluid 6-8 hours before colonoscopy
-Doctor can give an indication of making enema evacuator for a better preparation of the colon
That patients must be accompanied by one other person that will be sedated before surgery.
As the investigation is done
Colonoscopy may be performed in private practice in a clinic or a hospital. Most times this investigation is done by a doctor specializing in problems of the digestive tract - gastroenterologist - helped by a nurse. Sometimes family doctors, or surgeons may be trained internist do this investigation.
During the test the patient will receive a analgesic and a mild sedative by endovenous placed on the arm. Such products will reduce pains and make the patient be relaxed during the examination. It is therefore possible that the patient does not remember what happened during colonoscopy.
The patient will undress clothes and receive a paper gown that I will cover throughout the examination.
The patient will be on his side with knees raised at chest. After the patient lies in the position will be a doctor rectal touch to check if the anus is permeable. Then will be brought forward will be easy colonoscopy and easily through the large intestine. In some cases, the doctor can check the position with fluoroscopy colonoscopy | 
