A colonoscopy may be done in a doctor's office, clinic, or a hospital.
During the test, you may get a pain medicine and a sedative put in a vein in your arm (I.V.
Before the test You will need to take off most of your clothes. You will be given a gown to wear during the test.
You may lie on your left side with your knees pulled up to your belly. Because you will be given medicine during the colonoscopy, you probably won't remember having the test when you wake up.
Next, the doctor will insert a thin, flexible colonoscope in your anus and move it slowly through the rectum and into your colon. Air will be used to inflate your colon so the doctor can see the lining of the colon on a monitor (Figure 2) .
During the test Your doctor will look at the whole length of your colon as the scope is gently moved in and then out of your colon. You may be asked to change your position during the test.
The doctor may also collect tissue samples (biopsy) or take out growths. Usually, people don't feel anything if a biopsy is done or if polyps are taken out.
The scope is slowly pulled out of your anus, and the air escapes. Your anal area will be cleaned with tissues. If you are having cramps, passing gas may help relieve them.
After the test After the test, you'll stay at the clinic until you wake up and then have a brief visit from your doctor. Then you'll be allowed to leave with the person who will drive you home.
How long the test takes The test usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. But it may take longer, depending upon what is found and what is done during the test.
Figure 2 - Colonoscopy Anatomy of the colon slide 1 of 5
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slide 1 of 5, Anatomy of the colon,
During a colonoscopy, the doctor will be able to look at the inside of your entire large intestine (your colon). This includes the cecum (which is attached to the small intestine and is the beginning of the large intestine), the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, and the rectum.
The colonoscope is placed in the colon slide 2 of 5
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slide 2 of 5, The colonoscope is placed in the colon,
You will be given medicine through a needle in your vein. This is called an intravenous (IV) line. The medicine will make you sleepy. You may lie on your left side with your knees pulled up to your belly. The doctor will gently put a gloved finger into your anus. Then he or she will put the thin, flexible colonoscope in your anus and move it slowly through your colon.
The doctor looks inside the colon: Part 1 slide 3 of 5
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slide 3 of 5, The doctor looks inside the colon: Part 1,
The doctor can look at the inside lining of your colon through the scope or on a computer screen hooked up to the scope.
The doctor looks inside the colon: Part 2 slide 4 of 5
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slide 4 of 5, The doctor looks inside the colon: Part 2,
The doctor will look at the whole length of your colon as the scope is gently moved in and then out of your colon.
Views of a normal colon and a colon polyp slide 5 of 5
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slide 5 of 5, Views of a normal colon and a colon polyp,
A polyp is a small growth of excess tissue that often grows on a stem or stalk. Colon polyps are growths in the colon or rectum.
Some polyps are attached to the wall of the colon or rectum by a stalk or stem (pedunculated). Some have a broad base with little or no stalk (sessile).
Current as of: October 25, 2023
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board
