What is it?
A colonoscopy is an investigation performed using a colonoscope. The colonoscope is a long flexible tube about the thickness of your finger, with a bright light at the end. It allows your doctor to look inside the colon (bowel) and rectum (back passage). The view may be seen on a television screen. The colonoscope is passed through the rectum and into the large bowel.
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Do I need it?
By inspecting the inside of the rectum and colon, your doctor can see whether any disease is present, such as ulceration, blockage, bleeding etc.
A chronic condition can also be assessed and it is possible to obtain even more information by taking small samples of tissue, painlessly using tiny forceps threaded through the colonoscope, for laboratory analysis. It is also sometimes possible to remove small polyps that are present.
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How do I prepare?
You will be prescribed some medicine and given a list of instructions relating to this preparation. A special diet will also be prescribed to you. Please follow all instructions and contact us if you have any concerns or questions.
On the morning of your appointment, you should take as per normal with a small amount of water, any medicine for high blood pressure, heart condition or asthma you have been prescribed. If you are diabetic, your doctor will give you special instructions about how to take your medication.
Please try to leave all jewellery and valuables at home.
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What to expect
The procedure will take about 20-30 minutes. You may be given a sedative to help you to relax. The colonoscope is then passed. You should not experience any pain but there may be some discomfort caused by the air being pumped in, or the movement of the colonoscope through your colon.
When your doctor has finished the procedure, you will be able to rest for a short time while we monitor your condition. Your doctor will tell you the findings of the colonoscopy at this point and explain, if anything needs to be done.
After the procedure, you may experience some degree of bloating/flatulence but this is normal, and will usually pass within the next few hours and there is nothing to worry about.
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Next actions
As you have been administered sedatives, you might feel slightly drowsy for a short time after the procedure. Therefore, an adult must accompany you home. For the next 24 hours, a small amount of sedative may still be present in your body. Hence, you are advised not to carry out the following:
a. Drive a vehicle
b. Drink alcohol
c. Operate machinery
d. Take sedatives unless prescribed by the doctor
e. Sign any legal documents
You will be given an appointment for follow-up at the clinic if necessary. You can discuss with your doctor at this next visit the colonoscopy and any other test that may have been performed. Any further management plans will also be discussed with you. If you have been given a prescription, you should then go to the pharmacy to collect your medicine.
If you experience significant abdominal pain not relieved by medication or bleeding from your back passage, please seek treatment at the Emergency Department TTSH.
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