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Colonoscopy When should you go for colonoscopy?
Most people are afraid of the inconvenience of colonoscopy. The study is one of the most important colon cancer screening examinations. Because with a reflection already risk factors such as polyps can be removed. Miss Dr. med. Anette Othmer is internist and gastroenterologist in her own practice from Hanover answered some questions about this topic.
Dr. med. Anette Othmer Miss Dr. Othmer, what exactly is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine and a small part of the small intestine with an endoscope, the s.g. colonoscope.
How does a coloscope work??
Today's coloscopes have a diameter of about 1 cm and are about 1, 2 meters long. A video colonoscope contains a video chip at the top, which transfers images from the intestine to a monitor. In the coloscope is a suction device to suck liquid and a working channel to introduce instruments such as forceps and slings. This may be e.g. Polyps are removed and tissue samples are taken.
A colonoscopy is performed with modern equipment. What is a coloscope for??
A colonoscopy can detect diseases in the colon. The coloscope is inserted into the rectum and slowly advanced to the end of the large intestine or, depending on the question, to the small intestine (term ileum). The retraction of the device is very slow to accurately inspect each region. It may be abnormalities such as stalwarts (diverticula), inflammation, polyps or tumors, constrictions and mucosal bleeding diagnosed. Furthermore, samples can also be taken immediately or polyps removed.
When is a colonoscopy recommended??
A colonoscopy is advisable:
1) as a check-up from the age of 55
2) with familial disposition for colon cancer or intestinal polyps
3) with blood in the stool
4) with unclear weight loss
5) with persistent diarrhea and / or mucous secretions
6) in chair irregularities and change in chair behavior
7) for pain in the middle and lower abdomen without alternative cause
8) as a control / follow-up after colorectal cancer treatment
9) in iron deficiency anemia
10) with heavy flatulence over a longer period of time
What are the risks associated with colonoscopy??
Coloscopy is a safe routine check-up today. As with all procedures in the body, however, complications sometimes occur. When removing the polyps or even sampling, injuries of the intestinal wall and bleeding can occur. Bleeding is usually stopped during treatment, by clips or injections. In case of injury to the intestinal wall, immediate surgery is required to suture the intestinal wall.
How should patients prepare for colonoscopy??
Before an examination of the intestine the intestine must be empty. Patients therefore take a laxative on the afternoon of the day before and shortly before the examination on the day of the examination. Before the colonoscopy, the doctor takes blood to check the coagulation and blood count. Patients should inform the doctor if they are taking medications that inhibit blood clotting. These may have to be canceled a few days before.
What results can a colonoscopy bring?
Colon cancer usually develops through intestinal polyps, ie benign growths. Preventive colonoscopy makes it possible to detect and remove such polyps so that they do not develop into a malignant tumor. In addition, abnormalities of the intestine such as stalwarts (diverticula), inflammations or bottlenecks can be detected and samples taken, so that an adequate therapy can be initiated.
In addition to colorectal cancer, other intestinal diseases can be diagnosed using colonoscopy. Picture: Bilderzwerg - Fotolia Is a colonoscopy useful as a precautionary measure?
The sooner colorectal cancer is detected, the greater the chances of recovery. Therefore, a check-up is important. The statutory health insurance pays a colonoscopy as a precaution from the 55th year of life. However, I would recommend private patients to have a colonoscopy at the age of 50. Patients who have a family history (father or mother and sibling suffer from bowel cancer or have polyps growth) should definitely take precautionary measures at an early age.
What alternative to colonoscopy is there?
Due to the fact that samples can be taken and polyps removed during a colonoscopy, there is no equivalent alternative. Imaging procedures such as computed tomography, an MRI or even a video capsule, which must be swallowed and takes pictures of the entire gastrointestinal tract, give z.T. important information, a colonoscopy is yet to replace.
Is a colonoscopy painful?
If desired, patients may be given the anesthetic Propofol. As a result, a short anesthesia is initiated and the patient sleeps during the reflection. No pain is felt. During short-term anesthesia, the patient is permanently monitored, oxygen levels of the body and heart rate documented.
Which treatment will follow or complement a colonoscopy?
In a detailed discussion, the result of the investigation is explained. Tissue samples and polyps are sent to a laboratory and examined histologically. The result is fixed about 3 working days later and will be discussed with the patient. If the colonoscopy showed no abnormalities, a check should only be repeated after ten years. However, if polyps have been removed, a check-up must be performed in shorter time periods. If the diagnosis of a colon cancer should arise, the further procedure will be discussed in detail. Then further investigations follow, e.g. an ultrasound examination of the abdomen, laboratory acceptance and, if necessary, presentation by an oncologist / surgeon. (UA)