Flexible sigmoidoscopy vs. colonoscopy?

 

 

Sigmoidoscopy

 

To get exact outcomes, both the rectum as well as the lower colon should be clean and free of stool. Your doctor will provide you with detailed instructions on how you can clean your colon. In general, this will require the usage either one or two times prior to the procedure. It may also require a laxative as well as certain dietary changes. If there are special situations, like the presence of severe diarrhea, the procedure can be omitted.

It is generally accepted that you are able to continue taking your normal medication. It is important to inform your doctor about every prescription and non-prescription drug you are taking and any other allergies you might have. Certain medications can increase the risk of bleeding after colonoscopy when biopsies are done. These include aspirin blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) and NSAIDs like Motrin or Advil. The doctor might ask you to take off these drugs for a few days prior to the procedure. It is also important to inform your doctor if you wear an artificial valve for your heart, knee, or hip prosthesis, or suffer from any heart valves, such as mitral stenosis, aortic orifice stenosis, and mitral regurgitation. Patients suffering from these ailments may require antibiotics prior to colonoscopy test dental procedures to avoid infection of the heart valves and prostheses.

 

Colonoscopy

 

For the operation going to be precise and thorough, the colon has to be thoroughly cleaned. There are a variety of colonoscopy preparations. Patients are provided with specific instructions on cleansing procedures. It generally involves drinking a substantial quantity of a cleanser or several days of a liquid diet that is clear and laxatives or enemas before the test. This procedure should be carried out precisely as directed or the test may prove insufficient (visualization of the colon's lining could be obscured by the remnants of stool) the test may need to be repeated or a less precise alternative test will be conducted in the place.

It is also possible to instruct to avoid certain food items for a few days before the surgery, for example, stringy foods or foods that contain seeds and red jelly-o.

All medications should be taken in the same manner; however certain medications may cause interference with the exam. It is suggested that the colony scopiesknow about all prescription and over-the counter medicines. Aspirin blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) and arthritis medicines insulin, iron, and arthritis preparations are a few examples of medicines that may require specific directions. The colonoscopies also need to know about the patient's allergies, as well as other serious illnesses. The colonoscopiesneed to be aware when previously, patients required antibiotics prior to surgical or dental procedures to avoid infection.

 

What happens during colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures?

Sigmoidoscopy

 

Flexible sigmoidoscopy can be tolerated and does not cause any major discomfort. There could be a feeling in the form of bloating, fullness tension, or cramping during the procedure. Most of the time you'll be lying to your right side as the instrument is advancing through the rectum as well as the colon, while you are looking directly at television monitors. After the instrument has been removed and examined a careful note is conducted of the colon's lining. The process typically takes about 5-15 minutes.

If the doctor spots an area of the colon that requires an examination then a biopsy (a small portion of tissue) is possible to obtain and then sent to the pathology division to be examined under a microscope. If a polyp is discovered and removed by the doctor, they can remove the one at the same time. Polyps are small, swollen growths within the colon's lining and the rectum. The majority of Polyps have harmless (not cancerous) however, some are precancerous. Polyps that are precancerous will usually be asked for a colonoscopy following an additional vigorous colon cleanse. Colonoscopy can be described as a longer form of flexible sigmoidoscopy in which doctors examine the entire section of the colon. For more details, refer to this Colonoscopy article. The benefit of colonoscopy over flexible sigmoidoscopy lies in its capability to locate and eliminate polyps from the areas of the colon that are out of the scope of sigmoidoscopy which is flexible. Elimination of all precancerous polyps in colonoscopy has been proven to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

 

Colonoscopy

 

Before the colonic procedure, intravenous fluids are infused into the patient, and he is put on a monitor for constant monitoring of the heart rate and blood pressure, and oxygen levels of the blood. Drugs (sedatives) typically are administered through an intravenous vein so the patient can fall asleep and relax. They also help alleviate discomfort. If required, the patient might receive additional doses of medication in the course of the procedure. A colonoscopy biopsy causes the sensation of pressure, and abdominal bloating but thanks to the use of medicines the procedure is usually well-tolerated and rarely causes extreme discomfort.

Patients lie on their left or back while the colonoscopy slowly advances. When the end of the colon (cecum) or the end section of small the intestine (terminal the ileum) is reached, the colonoscopy will be gradually removed, and the colon's lining is examined carefully. Colonoscopy generally takes between 15 and 60 minutes. In the event that all of your colon because of some reason, is unable to be seen, the doctor might opt to a do colonoscopy once more at a later time with or without any other preparation for the bowel or decide to have an X-ray and/or CT for the colon.

If an abnormality must be evaluated the biopsy forceps may be inserted through a canal inside the colonoscopy. A biopsy (a specimen of the tissue) can be taken. The biopsy is then sent to the lab of pathology for analysis under a microscope by the pathologist. If it is suspected that there is an infection it is possible to have a biopsy taken to test the culturing process of bacteria.