Doctor Visiting And Talking With Senior Male Patient In Hospital Bed
The Colonoscopy procedure can put you in immense stress and you might wish to find out all about the procedure prior to the appointment day. Here, we will be learning How long does a colonoscopy take, its prep & procedure. Reading about the process will give the patients some idea regarding what to expect on the colonoscopy appointment day.
In addition to that, it will also help in avoiding unnecessary anxiety and worry during the colonoscopy procedure. Here, we will be looking at the time taken for the completion of the colonoscopy process. Then, we will learn about the different kinds of preparations that you will have to take before going for the colonoscopy process.
Finally, we will understand the entire procedure of colonoscopy. So, if your doctor has asked you to get a colonoscopy procedure done, then please keep reading to get a thorough knowledge of this examination.
Figure out how long does a colonoscopy take
The first query that comes to the mind of the patients when it comes to colonoscopy procedure is its duration. So, this is the first colonoscopy aspect that we will be looking at. Now, during the procedure of Colonoscopy, the doctor will try to examine the interior portion of your colon. This is accomplished by inserting a colonoscope inside your body. Now, let us take a look at the time duration that will be required for carrying out the different stages of colonoscopy.
So, during the first stage of the colonoscopy process, a colonoscope has to be taken to the end section of the large intestine. This process takes around 15 minutes time to complete. Thereafter, this device has to be carefully taken out of your body. This will again take another 15 minutes time. The whole process gives the doctor the capacity to examine the interior portion of your large intestine twice. Thus, in most cases, the process of colonoscopy will get completed within around 30 minutes time duration. This time duration can be considered as correct when the colonoscopy process is carried out for the purpose of examination.
However, if the colonoscopy process is carried out for the task of treating or removing any growth, then the colonoscopy time duration will be a bit longer. While examination, the doctors might find something in the colon that has to be removed or treated in any manner. These include conditions, like colon polyps which are frequently observed. In that case, the healthcare provider might require another 15 minutes time to wind up the colonoscopy procedure. Thus, it is appropriate to say that the actual time period of colonoscopy will differ in accordance with its purpose.
Preparation for colonoscopy examination
The patients who are curious to find out how long does a colonoscopy take, must also know about the preparations that have to be taken prior to the actual procedure of colonoscopy. In fact, the preparation steps are considered as very important for the successful completion of a colonoscopy procedure. The preparation for the colonoscopy process has to be taken days before your actual appointment. All the details regarding colonoscopy preparation will be explained by your healthcare provider.
First of all, your healthcare provider will ask you to carry out some modifications in your diet. This modified diet has to be followed for a few days ahead of the scheduled colonoscopy exam. In most cases, the patients will be advised to take a low-fiber diet for around two or three days. Then, they will be asked to consume a clear liquid diet on the day before the scheduled colonoscopy examination. Finally, the patients will be asked to take a laxative formula before their colonoscopy procedure to clear all the contents from the colon.
After taking the laxative, the patients will have to visit the bathroom frequently for the next few hours. Eventually, they have to make themselves comfortable and take a good rest to prepare themselves for the colonoscopy process. It is very important to follow these preparation steps correctly before going for the colonoscopy process. Otherwise, the examination will not yield satisfactory results and you will be asked to undergo the examination again.
Colonoscopy procedure
Now that we know all about how long does a colonoscopy take and its prep steps, let’s take a look at the actual procedure of colonoscopy. As we have already stated, the procedure of colonoscopy is accomplished with the help of an efficient instrument called colonoscope. This instrument comprises a long and thin tube called a catheter that is quite flexible. Its flexibility enables it to travel through the colon without causing much discomfort to the patient. A small and lighted camera is attached to this tube end and it helps the doctors to examine the interior portions correctly.
- Now, first of all, the doctor will take the colonoscope instrument and will insert it through the patient’s anus. This instrument is then slowly introduced into your body till it reaches the end portion of the colon.
- As the colonoscope goes inside the patient’s body, the catheter will pump air to inflate the colon area. On the other hand, the attached camera will transfer the video of the interior area of the colon to a monitor.
- The healthcare provider will closely watch the video displayed on the monitor to find out the condition of the colon. He will also look for any abnormalities that might be present.
- Once the colonoscope reaches the end segment of the colon, the doctor will slowly bring the colonoscope back and will gradually take it out of your body.
Conclusion
We have figured out how long does a colonoscopy take, its prep steps and the general procedure involved. As we can see, the colonoscopy process is not as complicated as it might seem. The colonoscopy process is generally performed under adequate sedation and therefore, you will not experience any kind of strong pain. As the colonoscope instrument advances into your colon, you might feel a slight pressure or gas pain. This usually occurs because of the carbon dioxide blowing action of the catheter. Apart from this, you will not be experiencing any other issue while undergoing the colonoscopy process.
