Colonoscopy
THE COLONOSCOPY VIDEO
IS COMING SOON
BELOW: Everything covered in the above video for the hearing impaired and includes all links for Patient Forms, Instructions and Your Colonoscopy Prescription.
WHY WOULD YOU NEED A COLONOSCOPY?
Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to:
Screen for colon cancer. If you're age 50 or older and at average risk of colon cancer and you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have other risk factors, your doctor may recommend a screen sooner. Colonoscopy is one of a few options for colon cancer screening.
If your FIT (faecal immunotest) is positive. The FIT test detects human hemoglobin in faeces and if it is positive there is a small risk you could have polyps or a colon cancer. A colonoscopy after a positive FIT is necessary to protect your life.
Look for more polyps. If you have had polyps before, your doctor may recommend a follow-up colonoscopy to look for and remove any additional polyps. This is done to reduce your risk of colon cancer.
Investigate intestinal signs and symptoms. A colonoscopy can help your doctor explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhea and other anemia.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR COLONOSCOPY
YOUR CLEANING PREP IS CRITICAL!
Before a colonoscopy, you will need to thoroughly clean out (empty) your colon. Any residue in your colon will make it difficult to get a good view of the lining of your colon during the exam. Studies have clearly demonstrated that the quality of preparation, or how clean the colon is, is directly related to the ability of the endoscopist to find and remove polyps. Every effort should be made to ensure a clean preparation.
A good prep can save your life!
The ONE PREPARATION
To ensure a good clean out Oakville North Endoscopy has a comprehensive set of clear instructions that correspond to current clinical guidelines. The instructions and prescription will be emailed to you and they are available on this website for download. (link here)
The process involves avoiding certain foods starting two days prior, consuming only clear fluids the day prior to the colonoscopy and taking the medications as directed.
IT COULD BE A LATE NIGHT OR VERY EARLY MORNING PREP
For some patients, depending on the time of the procedure, it will mean getting up in the middle of the night to complete the preparation. Again, it has been shown in studies that results are better for patients when the time between the completion of the preparation and the colonoscopy itself is as small as possible. Therefore the prep at night is to ensure those patients whose colonoscopy is scheduled after 11am are as clear as possible.
Once a month, ONE awards a person who has completed a perfect prep, with the
Golden Toilet Brush
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT PRIOR TO THE SCOPE
You will be registered and all of your personal details will be confirmed. At this point will be asked to sign the consent form that go over the risks of the procedure.
You will be escorted into the procedure room where you will be given a moment to change into a gown. Usually your tops can stay on. The nurse will then start an intravenous line, which has minimal discomfort. Monitors including a blood pressure cuff, oxygen saturation monitor and ECG leads will be placed. The blood pressure cuff will get tight as it takes its first reading. We will ask you to turn on your left side as in the diagram below.
SEDATION
Sedation with the drug Propofol is the usual means to keep you comfortable. Propofol is a milky white liquid that can burn slightly in the arm as it goes in. It acts immediately and its effects wear off quickly. It often induces comfortable dreams, is extremely safe and is widely used for endoscopy procedures. You will still be breathing on your own. The vast majority of patients will have no recollection of the procedure.
SCOPING
The colonoscope is long enough to reach the entire length of your colon and it has multiple channels. Once you are sufficiently sedated the colonoscope will be inserted into the rectum and water will be pumped into the colon. The water holds the bowel in place as the scope is advanced and is suctioned out as we complete the procedure. Air is pumped in and is necessary to see the lining, however, minimal use of air will ensure a faster recovery.
THE COLONOSCOPE
We only use the best and latest in endoscopic technology
The colonoscope contains a tiny video camera at its tip. The camera sends images to an external monitor so that the doctor can study the inside of your colon.
The doctor can also insert instruments through the channel to take tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps.
You should be sedated for the entire procedure and most patients do not recall any portion of the procedure. However, at times it is necessary to turn a patient from their left side onto the back or even onto the right side. Most of the time this can be accomplished without waking the patient up however it may be the case that you could be woken up temporarily to some extent in order to assist in turning.
The entire process including check in, preparation, the procedure and recovery should take approximately 90 minutes. The colonoscopy procedure itself only takes approximately 20 minutes
It is absolutely necessary to have someone available to pick you up and take you back to your home. If you do not have someone to fulfill this obligation we will not be able to give you any sedation. This will mean cancelling the procedure and you will have to do the prep all over again. This person cannot be a taxi or Uber driver.
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
You should not make any important decisions, nor should you drive or operate any machinery, for 24 hours after the sedation.
YOU MUST HAVE ANOTHER PERSON TO TAKE YOU HOME
YOU NEED 24 HOURS TO RECOVER FROM THE SEDATION
Most medications should be taken at their normal times, including the morning of the colonoscopy itself. There are a few exceptions, particularly blood thinners and diabetes medications.
We will give you specific instructions to let you know exactly what to do.
YOUR REGULAR MEDICATIONS
NORMAL SIDE EFFECTS
DON’T PANIC IF YOU SEE SOME BLOOD
You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam. Usually this isn't cause for alarm. Consult your doctor if you continue to pass blood or blood clots. If polyps are removed, delayed bleeding a week or two later can occur in very rare instances.
You should not have any abdominal pain after the procedure. A small amount of discomfort can be experienced as you finish expelling any gas, however, any pain that lasts more than a couple hours after the procedure is of concern. You should not go to sleep if you are experiencing abdominal pain after the colonoscopy. If you have abdominal pain approaching the time that you would normally be ready for bed he should go to the nearest emergency department.