Colonoscopy - Procedure, Cost, Diet And Side Effects

Colonoscopy is a test that is done by a doctor to monitor and examine the inner lining of the large intestine i.e. rectum and colon. Colonoscope is a long and flexible tube, whose tip is inserted into the anus and gradually extended, into your rectum and through the first part of the colon.

Colonoscopy test helps in finding ulcers, tumours, colon polyps or any area that is affected by inflammation and bleeding. It can also be performed as a screening test for checking precancerous growth, cancer in the rectum or the colon. During a colonoscopy procedure, your tissue sample will be examined to detect abnormal growths.

A virtual colonoscopy is like an X-ray test, which does not require the insertion of the colonoscope. However, it is not effective in detecting all types of colon polyps. Colonoscopy with a colonoscope is a much better choice for examining the colon in detail.

The signs that you must undergo colonoscopy test are:

• When you change in bowel habits
• When you suffer from Diarrhea, constipation, or feel that your bowel does not empty completely
• If you see dark blood in the stool
• Weight loss
• Abdominal discomfort
• Frequent gas pains
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Iron-deficiency anaemia

A colonoscopy is performed by a trained specialist either in an outpatient center or in a hospital. The doctor will first inject an IV needle in the vein of your arm. Sedatives, painkillers or anesthesia is given through that IV channel, allowing you to relax during the test. Your vital stats will be monitored by the staff.

You will have to lie on the table and the doctor will insert the colonoscope into the anus and guide it carefully through the rectum and the colon. The scope will pump air inside the large intestine enabling the doctor to get a better view. During this process, you may experience abdominal cramps or the urge to go to the toilet. The attached camera sends the video image of your intestinal lining to the monitor, where the doctor can view and examine the intestinal tissues. You may have to move several times so that the scope can be adjusted for a better view.

Foods you should not eat before colonoscopy:

Fruits with skin or seeds , Nuts, Granola, Brown rice, Pasta, Whole grain bread, Oatmeal, Bread with seeds, Dried peas, beans, Lentis, Raisins, Dry fruits, Potato with skin, Corn, Alcoholic beverages, Tomatoes, Cucumber with seeds, Cooked cabbage, Sprouts, Green peas,Onion,Lima Beans, Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, Fennel seed, Sesame seed, Pumpkin seed, Sunflower seed, Lentil soup, Chilli etc

Foods you can eat after colonoscopy:

After you have undergone colonoscopy, you must consume only that food which are gentle and comfortable to your digestive system like Electrolyte drinks, vegetable and fruit juice, Herbal tea, Graham cracker, Soup, Yogurt,Popsicles, Pudding, Scrambled eggs, Soft white fish, Apple butter, Whitebread etc.

A person is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy under the following conditions:

• Blood in the stool/rectal bleeding
• Dark and sometimes black stool
• Unexplained and drastic weight loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Treating inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic pain in the stomach
• To check for colorectal cancer
• If there are any abnormal results from an MRI, CT scan, virtual colonoscopy or a stool test
• As a routine test for people above the age of 50

The side effects of colonoscopy include abdominal cramping, backpain dizziness, vomiting, bloody bowel movements, a hard/ tight belly, bleeding from the anus, fever, unable to pass gas or stool.

The price of undergoing a colonoscopy test in India varies from Rs. 9525 to Rs. 22,225.

Colonoscopy is a test that is performed for screening of colon cancer. Other alternative tests include stool tests, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and computed tomographic colonography.