A colonoscopy is a medical test involving a small, flexible tube passing through your rectum (back passage) and into your bowel. It helps us see any abnormalities in the digestive tract or any concerns that may have been missed in other tests or scans. When your colonoscopy will be performed during your health journey will depend on your initial consultation.
If you have never had the procedure, it can seem a little intimidating. Our expert gastroenterologist, Dr Sarmed Sami, is here to discuss all your questions so you feel prepared before the procedure.
Why do I need to prepare for a colonoscopy?
You need to prepare beforehand so we can avoid any visual issues during the procedure with obstructions in the bowel due to faecal matter (poo).
A clean colon allows us to see any abnormalities with the bowel and pinpoint what may be triggering your symptoms. This also allows us to see any polyps or lesions that may be cancerous and decide on any appropriate removals.
Does it hurt?
The procedure generally should not hurt a vast majority of patients.
However, this can depend on various factors related to the patient and the reasons for doing the procedure. It can also depend on the type of camera we are using, whether sedation or anaesthesia is used, and who’s doing the procedure.
In some situations, patients may experience some discomfort at certain points during the procedure. If this happens, then we have techniques to help you cope with that. This can be done by either changing what we’re doing with the camera, changing your position, or doing other things to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure.
What can I eat/drink after the procedure?
It is recommended that you eat and drink as you would normally after the procedure.
If you are experiencing any discomfort afterwards, I would suggest drinking warm drinks (particularly peppermint tea) or taking over-the-counter medication (such as paracetamol) to elevate symptoms.
What is the difference between a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy?
A colonoscopy involves a thin, long tube with a camera and light at the end (endoscope) being inserted into the rectum and through the entire length of the bowel.
A sigmoidoscopy also involves a flexible endoscope but will only analyse the rectum and half of the bowel.
These tests are similar but differ in how much of the bowel the doctors can see during the procedure.
Preparation is also different because a sigmoidoscopy doesn’t require fasting or an oral laxative beforehand. Patients will only require an enema on the day of the sigmoidoscopy.
I am pregnant, can I still have a colonoscopy?
It is not recommended for you to have a colonoscopy whilst pregnant, as there is a risk to the foetus during the procedure. This risk could lead to a miscarriage.
Please talk to me during our consultation if you have any concerns about your digestive condition whilst pregnant. I will walk through all the potential tests available to you and decide the best course of action based on your condition.
Is it okay for me to have the procedure if I am on my menstrual period?
Yes, it will be okay to have the procedure while you are on your period. This won’t affect the test in any way.
We recommend using internal products, such as a tampon, as your underwear will be removed during the procedure.
Why do I need a colonoscopy if I can have a stool test?
A colonoscopy is necessary because it can help us visually see any abnormalities, lesions, or polyps in the bowel that may be causing an issue. This makes diagnosis more accurate instead of relying on stool samples, which may not show results for other concerns in the bowel or colon.
How old do I have to be to get a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy can be performed on a person at any age, including children. In our clinic, we only treat patients who are 18 years or older.
If you’ve never had one, I recommend that everybody schedule a colonoscopy when they turn 45, according to recent medical guidelines. This is because colorectal and bowel cancer is on the rise at a younger age.
Can a colonoscopy diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
A colonoscopy is commonly used to help exclude other medical conditions to confirm your condition.
Read more about IBS here to learn about what tests we perform to help diagnose the condition.
If you find bowel polyps during my procedure, will they be removed?
If we find bowel polyps during your colonoscopy, they will be removed if they appear to look abnormal. This is to avoid them becoming cancerous, and we’ll remove them whether we are looking for polyps or not.
Depending on the size, shape, and location, some polyps may need to be removed by a specialist with special equipment. This means the removal cannot be done on the same day and another appointment will be needed.
Learn more about the endoscopic removal of polyps here.
Can haemorrhoids be treated during a colonoscopy?
Haemorrhoids can be diagnosed through a colonoscopy; especially as first and second-degree haemorrhoids are formed internally. They aren’t normally treated during this procedure. This is because we need special equipment, so you will have to come back on a different date for another appointment.
However, this is on a case-by-case basis. We can discuss the best treatment plan based on your condition during our initial consultation.
How long does it take?
The length of the procedure can generally vary between 15 minutes to 30 minutes. It depends on the purpose of the procedure and what we are doing during the process. For example, are we just looking at your bowels or doing some extra treatment? Overall, it’s a relatively quick test.
To answer any more questions you may have about colonoscopies, check out our video guides from Dr Sarmed Sami on some common FAQs
