Colonoscopy
An endoscopy is a medical test or procedure that uses an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube that is passed into the body. The endoscope usually has a small light and camera attached so doctors can see inside a patient to investigate possible causes of symptoms.
A colonoscopy is a procedure where an endoscope is passed through the rectum and into the bowel to help diagnose intestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers, certain cancers, and diverticular disease.
If you are nervous about having a colonoscopy, you are not alone. Over 900,000 people have a colonoscopy in the UK every year and this figure is expected to grow close to a million.
Overview | Need | Consultation | Colonoscopy | Recovery | Risks | Video FAQs
A colonoscopy is a common and useful procedure, especially when other tests have been inconclusive. It can help us check the colon for inflammation, bleeding, blockages, or other bowel disorders.
It can be also used for a biopsy (collecting tissue samples for testing in a lab), and for minimally invasive surgical tasks like removing polyps (abnormal growths).
Although there is some discomfort involved in having this procedure, it shouldn’t be painful and is much less complex than surgery.
Why might I need one?
Your doctor is most likely to discuss having a colonoscopy with you or refer you to a colonoscopy specialist if you have certain symptoms. These include:
- Persistent diarrhoea or constipation
- Your bowel movements contain blood, or you are bleeding from your bottom
- Unexpected weight loss and/or fatigue
- Anaemia (low blood count) with low iron on blood testing
- Feeling as if your bowel is not emptying fully or feeling no relief after emptying your bowels
If you’re experiencing upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as severe acid reflux or a hoarse voice, you may need an upper endoscopy (gastroscopy). Look at our infographic to learn more about which you may need: Gastroscopy vs Colonoscopy.
Gastroenterologists use colonoscopies as a key tool for bowel/colon cancer screening or diverticular disease or diverticulitis. The main signs of bowel cancer include blood in your poo, abdominal pain, and a persistent change in bowel movements, such as looser or runnier poo and needing to poo more frequently. These symptoms are more often caused by less serious conditions, but it’s important we identify the cause of your symptoms to provide the most suitable treatment.
Another cause of these symptoms is IBD, which we recommend a colonoscopy to diagnose. IBD refers to a group of conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This test provides live video images of the colon and rectum and enables us to examine your intestinal lining for inflammation, ulcers, and other signs of IBD. You can find out more about IBD here.
During your consultation
Before your consultation, your bowels must be empty. This helps the specialist conducting your procedure to see any abnormalities clearly. You will receive all the important information you need before you attend your consultation. You can also find out more about how you should prepare in our blog: How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
If you haven’t had an endoscopic procedure before, it can be a lot of new information to take on board. The best person to answer your questions is your specialist. We recommend taking a list of questions to your consultation to help you feel better prepared. Visit our blog to learn about the questions you might want to ask before your lower endoscopy.
What happens during a colonoscopy
You will need to stop eating and drinking on the day of your colonoscopy (your appointment letter will tell you exactly when).
When you arrive, we’ll check your personal information and any prescriptions that you take. You’ll then change into a gown for the procedure. The nurse or specialist will offer you pain relief medication, and a sedative or gas and air to help you relax if you’d like it. You can find out more about that on our blog that covers sedation and communication during an endoscopic procedure.
The procedure should take between 20 to 30 minutes.
The specialist will take the endoscope (the flexible, thin tube with a small camera attachment) and insert it into your bottom. You may or may not feel the endoscope going in, but either way, it shouldn’t be painful.
Because the large bowel has many bends along its path, we will pump air to inflate your bowels. This can make you feel bloated but makes it easier for the specialist to move the endoscope.
As the instrument passes into your large intestine, you may experience a few stomach cramps, but this is rare. We’ll explain if we find and remove polyps or any other growths. This is quick and painless.
Recovery
You will go to a recovery room after your colonoscopy. Here we’ll keep checking on you for about 30 minutes, after which you will be fully awake. We will offer you something to eat and then you can go home the same day.
If you had a sedative during the procedure, you shouldn’t drive for 24 hours. You must have someone to travel home with you from the hospital or endoscopy unit. You’ll also need someone to stay with you at home for at least 24 hours.
It’s possible to still feel bloated or experience stomach cramps for about two or three hours. You may also see a small amount of blood when you have your next bowel movement. This is all normal after a colonoscopy and should settle down quickly.
If the bleeding and abdominal pain get worse, or if you develop a fever, get in touch with the clinic, your GP or NHS 111.
In most cases, a colonoscopy won’t reveal any cause for concern. Your consultant will be able to discuss their findings as soon as you’re fully awake. If we send any tissue samples away for lab testing, you may need to wait a few days for the results. If we confirm that you have a bowel condition, we will discuss the next steps in detail with you.
Risks
To clear your bowel, you’ll need to take laxatives and might need to adjust your medications. Some people are more likely to experience dehydration or electrolyte problems after taking laxatives. Our specialists will be able to discuss your circumstances before your consultation.
Some side effects are more common, but many people will not experience them. These include:
- Abdominal pain, cramps, or discomfort
- Nausea from the anaesthetic
- Feeling bloated or gassy
As with any surgical procedure, there are some more serious side effects, but these are very rare. The tool we use during the procedure can cause a perforation (tear) in your colon, especially if we are removing a large polyp. If you had a perforation, you might experience severe abdominal pain.
When removing large polyps (over 1 cm), we also sometimes use an electrical current to seal the area where it was. In extremely rare cases, this current may cause a burn on the bowel wall. This is called post-polypectomy electrocoagulation syndrome and causes symptoms like severe abdominal pain, a fever and a fast heart rate.
There is also a low risk of developing an infection after the procedure. Roughly 1 in every 1000 screening colonoscopies lead to an infection. Signs of an infection include abdominal pain and discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, and fever. Your risk may be higher if you were in hospital up to 30 days before your procedure. You can prevent an infection by ensuring the clinic you visit has the proper cleaning precautions in place.
If you experience any of these symptoms, try to find medical help as soon as you can. In each of these cases, you should feel better with bed rest and antibiotics. If a colonoscopy is not safe or suitable for you, our specialist can provide alternative tests. However, these may be less accurate. Watch our video to learn more: Is there an alternative test to a colonoscopy?
Book an appointment
If you are experiencing digestive problems, get in touch to find out more. Our friendly team will tell you about our colonoscopy service and how it may benefit you. We will ensure that you feel as comfortable and well informed as possible.
Our gastroenterologists specialise in endoscopy procedures, delivering expert care with compassion. Hear the patient experience of others by reading our verified patient testimonials on the Doctify website.
To arrange a private colonoscopy at Digestive Health UK, contact us today.