In the modern world, there are a huge number of ailments that, if not treated on time, can lead to negative consequences. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, immediately seek medical help from professionals. A major threat to human health and life is represented by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They are much more difficult to treat, especially if the patient started the pathology and went to the hospital in the late stages of its course.
To avoid many negative consequences and serious complications, it is very important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner. In modern medicine, there are quite a few laboratory research methods that are highly accurate and informative. One of these is colon colonoscopy with sedation, reviews of which will be presented later. What is this procedure, what data does it allow doctors to collect, and what features does it have? These and many other questions will be answered in detail in this article.
general information
Colonoscopy with sedation is one of the modern research methods aimed at studying the internal state of the intestinal wall using a special apparatus equipped with a camera that is inserted through the anus. All information is displayed in the form of a detailed picture on the display, so that the doctor can make a detailed clinical picture of the patient’s health status and diagnose many gastrointestinal diseases of various origins in the early stages of development.
It is worth noting that this research method is used not only for making an accurate diagnosis, but also for the purpose of taking soft tissue samples for analysis, eliminating internal bleeding, treating intestinal obstruction and conducting surgery to remove polyps and neoplasms. Thus, the scope of colonoscopy with sedation (reviews about the procedure are mostly positive) is quite wide. This research method is used everywhere when there is a suspicion of any gastrointestinal disease.
Examination under anesthesia has many strengths. The person is calm and completely relaxed. And some medications used for anesthesia cause short-term amnesia, so the patient will not remember any unpleasant moments.
Types of Procedure
There are several methods for colonoscopy.
- Virtual - information is collected using CT and MRI. Both laboratory research methods are innovative and have high accuracy and informativeness. This option is most preferable because it is completely painless, and also has almost no contraindications and side effects.
- Using an endoscope, a special device is introduced through the anus into the intestine, which is a tube two meters long, at one end of which a video camera is fixed that displays the image on the display.
In the latter case, the patient is sedated before colonoscopy. This is a prerequisite, because the procedure gives the person severe discomfort and pain, so it is simply impossible to withstand it without anesthesia.
Indications for appointment
This aspect should be given special attention. Elderly people who do not have a genetic predisposition to cancer of the colon are recommended to do a colonoscopy with sedation at least once every five years. If a person in the family had relatives who had problems with cancer, then it is advisable to undergo an examination every 12 months. This is necessary for the timely diagnosis of the disease and the start of treatment. In addition, among the indications for the appointment, the following health problems can also be distinguished:
- suspected presence of internal bleeding in the colon;
- benign and malignant tumors;
- body temperature of 37-37.5 degrees, which lasts for a long period of time;
- sharp and unreasonable weight loss;
- chronic digestive upset;
- anemia;
- chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, proceeding in an acute form;
- ulcerative colitis.
If you decide to undergo an examination, then you need to consider that this procedure has some contraindications. Colonoscopy sedation is not recommended during pregnancy, with pulmonary and heart failure, peritonitis, ulcerative colitis, poor blood coagulation, allergic reactions, as well as any pathologies of infectious etiology.
Examination preparation
Colonoscopy under sedation, reviews of patients and doctors fully confirm this, it is highly accurate and informative. However, to reduce the likelihood of making a false diagnosis, you must first prepare your body for the procedure. In approximately 3-4 days, the following foods should be excluded from your diet:
- cow's milk;
- soda;
- black tea and coffee;
- alcoholic drinks;
- pasta;
- any pastries;
- wheat groats;
- fruits and vegetables;
- legumes;
- nuts
- fatty foods;
- smoked meats;
- sausages;
- semi-finished products;
- products containing dyes, preservatives and flavor enhancers.
It’s best to eat a healthy diet. It is recommended to include the following products in the menu:
- natural yogurts;
- dairy products;
- boiled turkey meat;
- steamed sea fish;
- chicken bouillon.
If you decide to do a colonoscopy with sedation, then you need to approach this very seriously. The use of the above products can adversely affect the accuracy of the examination and make it difficult for doctors to make the correct diagnosis. The last meal should be no later than 12 hours before the intended visit to the doctor. During this time, the use of pure water without gas and green tea is allowed. 2 hours before the start of the procedure, it is forbidden even to drink, since the stomach must be empty.
The remaining preparatory measures are discussed with the doctor individually. In most cases, patients are prescribed bowel cleansing through an enema or taking medications that have a laxative effect, such as Lavacol or Fortrans. The dosage is calculated by the doctor for each patient separately, taking into account body weight and a number of other factors.
How is the procedure performed?
Many people who have been prescribed a colonoscopy with sedation are afraid to go to the hospital because they have no idea how it goes. But there is nothing wrong with this method of laboratory research. Everything happens as follows:
- The patient takes a lying position on the left side on the couch, pressing his legs with his knees to his stomach.
- The specialist performs complex anesthesia. It may involve general anesthesia, sedation, or lubrication of the anus with a special gel containing an anesthetic.
- As soon as the anesthesia begins to act, a probe is inserted into the anus.
- Depending on the specific purpose of the study, the duration of the procedure can be from 15 minutes to the complete completion of all necessary manipulations by the doctor.
- A colonoscope is removed from the colon.
It is worth noting that during colonoscopy, anesthesia, sedation or other methods of anesthesia are performed only in the presence of a qualified specialist. This is necessary not only in order to calculate the correct dosage, but also in order to minimize any risks that may pose a threat to the patient’s health.
A few words about anesthesia
Colonoscopy is a very unpleasant examination method, associated with a certain discomfort, and in some cases even with severe pain. Therefore, it is carried out under anesthesia. The following options exist:
- General anesthesia. A person is injected intravenously with a drug that immerses him in deep sleep. At the end of the action of the medication, the patient gradually comes to his senses, not remembering anything and not experiencing unpleasant sensations.
- Local anesthesia. The device is lubricated with a special gel before being introduced into the gut. In this case, the pain does not disappear anywhere, but the progress of the probe becomes almost imperceptible.
- Colonoscopy with sedation. This is the most common pain relief option. He is like a medical dream, but the person is conscious, feeling completely nothing.
What kind of anesthesia will be used during the examination, the specialist decides on the basis of the patient’s health status.
Advantages and disadvantages of sedation
General anesthesia is used very rarely, since the complete immersion of the patient in a state of sleep requires a long recovery of the body. As practice shows, in the vast majority of cases sedation is prescribed during colonoscopy. This option is considered one of the most optimal. Among its main advantages are the following:
- lack of discomfort, pain, as well as feelings of anxiety and fear;
- the possibility of non-surgical removal of neoplasms;
- elimination of bleeding in the colon;
- the possibility of carrying out the procedure for patients of any age category;
- completely relaxes the patient and reduces the risk of damage to the intestinal mucosa;
- helps a person cope with fear of the procedure and stress.
Despite the many advantages, a colonoscopy with sedation in a dream has several disadvantages. These include:
- the likelihood of side effects from the administered medications;
- intoxication of the liver and kidneys;
- memory problems.
Modern medicines used for anesthesia during the examination of the gastrointestinal tract have a unique chemical composition and are safe for the body. They almost do not cause side effects and serious consequences for the health of the patient. One of the safest is considered intravenous sedation during colonoscopy. Such anesthesia begins to act quickly, and recovery after it does not take much time.
Limitations
Colonoscopy under sedation (reviews of such a procedure are more positive than negative) belong to the category of the most sparing and harmless methods for studying the state of the gastrointestinal tract. However, this type of anesthesia can not be used in all cases. The main contraindications include:
- children under 12 years old;
- the presence of adhesions in the intestine;
- nasal congestion;
- epilepsy;
- peritonitis;
- Sensitivity
- low pain threshold;
- individual intolerance to the drug;
- the presence of allergic reactions;
- bowel or anus stenosis;
- non-compliance with the prescribed diet;
- mental disorders;
- any diseases of the heart, kidneys, respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract, occurring in severe form;
- impaired functioning of hemostatic mechanisms;
- acute infectious diseases;
- heart and kidney failure;
- pregnancy.
The presence of some contraindications is not a reason for refusing to conduct a colonoscopy of the intestine under sedation. When choosing an anesthesia method, the anesthesiologist takes into account the state of health and individual characteristics of the patient.
Possible complications
As mentioned earlier, colonoscopy is not the most pleasant examination method. In addition to discomfort and pain, there is a risk of developing various complications. During diagnosis, there is a high probability of mechanical injury to the walls and intestinal mucosa, rupture of the spleen, and even respiratory arrest. But, as medical practice shows, this occurs only in isolated cases. There is also the possibility that after the diagnosis is completed, the person will:
- flatulence;
- fever;
- weakness throughout the body;
- pain syndrome;
- difficult bowel movements.
As for the negative impact of anesthesia on the human psyche and the functioning of the central nervous system, it is not. New generation medications are safe and do not harm the body. Therefore, you can not be afraid of anything, but feel free to agree to any type of anesthesia.
What drugs are used for anesthesia?
Colonoscopy sedation (you can read patient reviews at the end of the article) involves taking a patient with special medications that have a sedative effect. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- Propofol. It begins to act after a short period of time after it enters the stomach, but the duration of the effect remains relatively short. Thanks to this, the subject quickly departs from anesthesia, preserving the memories of all the doctor's manipulations. Among the main advantages are high tolerance. The disadvantage is the high cost.
- Midazolam Causes short-term memory loss. After the procedure is completed, the patient will remember absolutely nothing about her. Many doctors most often prescribe this drug because it has an anticonvulsant effect. The main disadvantage is that the medication has a specific composition, because of which the departure from anesthesia takes longer.
If colonoscopy and gastroscopy are required, sedation is selected individually by the anesthetist for each patient. In this case, his condition, clinical picture and personal experience of the doctor are taken into account.
Cost
Many people wonder where to do a colonoscopy with sedation. This type of examination is available both in public hospitals and in private clinics. In the latter, everything is done at a higher level, but the cost of services will be much higher. Specific figures are difficult to name, since prices vary in a very wide range depending on the region. For example, in Moscow, you will have to pay from 4,500 to 20,000 rubles for a colonoscopy. The price includes not only the examination itself, but also all medications.
The patient chooses the method of anesthesia for himself, based on his financial capabilities. At the same time, doctors always help to determine the best option, and also talk about all the pros and cons of each method of anesthesia. It will not be superfluous to read reviews of patients who already have experience with this type of anesthesia. In order to avoid many negative consequences, it is preliminary recommended that you consult with your doctor.
Alternative laboratory research methods
Colonoscopy with sedation is far from the only way to study the state of the internal walls of the intestine. Therefore, if you do not want to intervene in your body or are afraid to fall into a state of sleep, then there are alternative options. These are:
- Capsule endoscopy. Innovative method with high efficiency. It is based on the introduction into the colon of a special small-sized device equipped with a camera. Carrying out such a procedure does not cause the patient absolutely no discomfort and pain. Also, the probability of injury to the mucous membrane is minimized. A few hours after administration, the probe is excreted from the body naturally. After that, the recorded information is removed from the integrated drive and the results are decrypted. However, capsular endoscopy is not available in all medical institutions, and its cost is prohibitive.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. This type of research is considered one of the best. It allows doctors not only to diagnose various diseases at the initial stage of development, but also to determine their etiology, as well as to get a complete picture of the patient’s health status. During the examination, a special device is fixed on the body and makes detailed high-quality images in three projections. In photographs, any pathologies are clearly visible. In this case, the examination is as comfortable and safe as possible. Therefore, if for some reason the patient cannot be sedated by colonoscopy, for example, due to the presence of some contraindications, then doctors in the vast majority of cases prescribe MRI. However, magnetic resonance imaging has one significant drawback. Using this method, it is impossible to detect cancerous tumors less than 10 millimeters in size. In addition, the body receives a certain dose of radiation.
, . , . .
?
, . . , , , , . . , .
, . , .
Conclusion
Colonoscopy is one of the innovative methods of examining the gastrointestinal tract, with which doctors can evaluate the patient’s health status, and also eliminate some pathologies without surgical intervention. To agree on the procedure or not, each person must decide for himself. But it is better to tolerate a few minutes than subsequently in a timely manner an undetected disease will lead to very serious consequences. According to most patients, there is nothing wrong with a colonoscopy, so you can safely agree to it without worrying about anything.
Never spare time and money for your own health. Remember that no one else will follow him. Therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences, seek medical help on time.