Today, every fourth resident of our country faces problems of the gastrointestinal tract. To make the correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes certain examinations. One of today's popular approaches is colonoscopy. This procedure is indicated for a number of symptoms that indicate the occurrence of certain bowel diseases. How is a colonoscopy performed? Patient reviews about the procedure, as well as the features of preparation for such a diagnosis, will be discussed later.
Features of the procedure
Many patients are scared by a number of diagnostic procedures that need to be performed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). One such approach is colonoscopy. The doctors' comments about this diagnostic method are positive. This is one of the most informative methods that can identify a number of diseases in the early stages of development.
Colonoscopy (FCC) is a procedure in which a doctor examines the internal surfaces of the intestinal mucosa. Understanding this scares many patients. However, postponing a visit to the hospital, a person can start the disease. The treatment in this case will be long and difficult. The sooner the doctor conducts the correct diagnosis, the greater the chances of a speedy and successful recovery.
Colonoscopy is performed using an endoscope. This is a device that looks like a tube. A miniature camera is fixed at its end. This device is inserted into the rectal lumen. Further, the doctor smoothly advances the endoscope. If certain defects are detected, they are excised. For this, there are special forceps at the end of the endoscope. After excision of the neoplasm, it is removed from the body and sent to the laboratory. This allows you to determine its nature and develop tactics for further treatment.
This is the most informative method that is used today in the examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Refusing to conduct such an examination, the patient dooms himself to the development of a serious pathology, the treatment of which will be much more unpleasant than a colonoscopy. During its implementation, there are some unpleasant sensations. However, this is quite bearable.
According to reviews, colon colonoscopy is a procedure that scares patients. They often insist on carrying it out under anesthesia. However, this is not always possible.
When is the procedure prescribed?
Many people who are shown the presented diagnostics want to know patient reviews about intestinal colonoscopy. It is worth starting with the cases in which this procedure is indicated. After 60 years, the procedure presented is carried out more often than at a young age. This is due to an increased risk of various gastrointestinal diseases after 60 years.
Regardless of age, a colonoscopy can be prescribed for certain symptoms. The first of these is frequent, chronic constipation. This situation is a sign of certain pathologies. An indication for this diagnostic method is painful bowel movements. Also, abdominal pain can indicate the presence of some pathologies. In this case, a colonoscopy is performed.
This diagnosis can be prescribed by the therapist after a general blood test. A decrease in hemoglobin for no apparent reason is the reason for an examination of the intestine. The reason for the colonoscopy can be a sharp weight loss, as well as increased fatigue.
Intestinal bleeding (the so-called black stool) is also a symptom of the development of serious pathologies. In this case, the presented procedure is also carried out.
Considering patients' reviews about colonoscopy, it can be noted that before its appointment, many of them felt an overflow of the intestine or even felt a foreign body in it. Increased gas formation and diarrhea are an indication for this diagnostic method.
The doctor may order an analysis for the presence of tumor markers in the blood. If they are identified, the procedure is carried out as soon as possible.
Is anesthesia necessary?
The presented procedure can be done under general or local anesthesia, as well as without it. The choice of diagnostic method depends on the characteristics of the patient's body. Many patients are interested in reviews of colonoscopy without anesthesia. It is worth noting that this procedure is quite bearable, if you prepare for it correctly.
The probe is introduced into the rectum almost painlessly. The patient must completely relax the anus so that the tube can be freely inserted into the intestine. Also, the probe does not cause pain in the intestines. Discomfort occurs when the doctor begins to deliver gas to the intestines. This is necessary to straighten the folds. A pressing sensation appears. It is similar to bloating when gas builds up in the intestines. Discomfort disappears after the procedure. Gas will be removed from the intestines.
There are a number of diseases and conditions in which general anesthesia is contraindicated. These include heart disease, bleeding disorders, an allergy to anesthesia. Also, people who have been diagnosed with epilepsy, neurosis, and mental illness do not undergo colonoscopy under anesthesia. During pregnancy, the introduction of anesthesia is also contraindicated.
According to reviews, intestinal colonoscopy under anesthesia is performed more often. It can be local or general. Many people are afraid of such a procedure. This is a serious psychological stress for them. In this case, the procedure will be painful for both the patient and the doctor. In this case, it is recommended to diagnose under anesthesia if there are no contraindications.
When is anesthesia needed?
Considering reviews of intestinal colonoscopy, it can be noted that many patients are very afraid to conduct such a diagnosis. If they do not have serious contraindications (presented above), they will undergo anesthesia procedure. There are a number of patients for whom a colonoscopy is almost impossible to do without anesthesia.
First of all, children under 12 years old belong to this category. This will be a serious stress for the baby. Therefore, doctors recommend an examination under anesthesia. Otherwise, the child may develop psychological trauma.
Neither do patients undergo colonoscopy without anesthesia for whom adhesive bowel disease was diagnosed. In this case, it will not be possible to advance the endoscope through the intestines. This causes severe pain. Therefore, the procedure is carried out only under general anesthesia.
For the same reasons, colonoscopy without anesthesia is not recommended for people with narrowing (strictures) in the colon, anus, and also for patients with ulcerative and destructive processes in the digestive tract, and the presence of infectious diseases. If the pain is severe, the doctor will not be able to conduct a colonoscopy.
According to reviews, too impressionable patients cannot pass a colonoscopy without anesthesia. Such an intervention can lead them to panic, fainting, and even a heart attack.
Reviews about the cost and choice of the clinic
Considering reviews of a colonoscopy, the price of which is of no small importance for any patient, it should be noted that the minimum level of painful sensations can only be guaranteed by a professional with extensive experience. Therefore, it is worth contacting only trusted clinics where well-known specialists work. In such medical institutions, modern equipment is used, which allows diagnostics to be less painful and as informative as possible.
There are many recommendations on where to do a colonoscopy. Testimonials of patients indicate that they carry out quality procedures, for example, in Moscow clinics such as SM-Clinic, and the International Center for Health Protection. Almost all well-known private medical institutions of the capital have modern equipment. This allows you to diagnose efficiently.
The cost of a colonoscopy can vary significantly. So you can find a price in which the price of such a diagnosis is 5 thousand rubles. However, there are clinics that offer a colonoscopy, the cost of which is about 23 thousand rubles. This is due to a different approach to pricing.
Some medical facilities only indicate the price of a colonoscopy. At the same time, the cost does not include anesthesia, the work of an anesthetist, sampling of the mucosa, biopsy and laboratory examination of the neoplasm, which will be excised during the procedure. At the same time, some clinics cannot admit the patient to the procedure if he does not first consult with their gastroenterologist. These manipulations significantly increase the cost of the procedure.
Preparation
An important step before the procedure is preparation for a colonoscopy of the intestine. Testimonials from patients and doctors suggest that if all the recommendations are followed, the procedure will be much less painful and the diagnosis will be informative.
The doctor must prescribe a diet for the patient. It will allow you to get rid of all the excess in the intestine, allowing you to qualitatively examine its walls. If the stool is not excreted, the doctor will not be able to perform the diagnosis. The procedure will need to be repeated over time.
According to reviews, bowel cleansing before colonoscopy is performed within 3 days. This does not mean that the patient will starve at this time. Just need to rethink your diet. The diet is signed by the doctor for every day. The last time you need to eat no later than 20 hours before the colonoscopy. Then you can only drink water.
It is also very important to use special laxatives that will get rid of food debris in the digestive tract. The doctor most often prescribes, according to reviews, for cleansing the intestines before a colonoscopy, Moviprep, Dufalac, Fortrans. They have a laxative effect. Before the procedure, you need to do an enema. It is better to ask someone close to help in this matter. Enema is done at least 2 times, and preferably 3 times.
The drug "Moviprep"
The doctor may prescribe different drugs to the patient before the procedure. One of the most commonly used laxatives today is, according to reviews, Moviprep. Instructions for use before colonoscopy are presented by the manufacturer. It must be adhered to strictly.
You will need to drink 4 tablets of this drug. The medicine is dissolved in 2 liters of pure water. After that, you need to drink another 1 liter of liquid. It can be weak tea, mineral or purified water. To drink the drug correctly, you need to know the time of the colonoscopy.
Different schemes can be used when taking the drug presented. A two-stage cleansing of the body is one of the possible options, which is often prescribed when taking, according to reviews, "Moviprep". Instructions for use before a colonoscopy are carefully studied by the patient. If the procedure is scheduled for the first half of the day, the evening before from 20:00 to 21:00 you need to drink the first liter of water with the drug dissolved in it. Then they drink 0.5 l of ordinary water. The next day from 6:00 to 7:00 you need to drink a second liter of solution. You will also need to drink another 0.5 liters of pure water.
If the procedure is carried out in the afternoon (after 14:00), you need to act differently. According to reviews, "Moviprep" for colon cleansing before colonoscopy can be taken in a one-stage scheme. In this case, on the day of the procedure, the first part of the medicine is taken with water from 8:00 to 9:00. After an hour, you need to take the second part. After each reception of the solution, 0.5 l of pure water is drunk. It is imperative that the drug is completed 4 hours before the procedure.
The drug "Picoprep"
In addition to Moviprep before colonoscopy, another effective remedy, according to reviews, is Pikoprep. It also has a laxative effect. When taking it, you need to drink a lot of clean water, weak tea. It is easy to prepare a solution from this drug. "Pikoprep" is available in powder form in bags. It is dissolved in 150 ml of pure water. Stir the solution for a long time (2-3 minutes). It is best to use warm water for this. When it cools down a bit, the solution is drunk.
The drug is prescribed for adults as well as children under 9 years of age. Pregnant women in the first trimester are not allowed to take such drugs. In the second and third trimester, a laxative is taken under the supervision of a doctor.
If the procedure is scheduled for the first half of the day, Pikoprep before colonoscopy (reviews, as well as the manufacturer's instructions confirm this information) should be taken after lunch the day before the diagnosis. The maximum time at which you can drink a solution prepared from the first sachet is 18:00. In this case, the solution is washed down with 5 glasses of pure water. Next, you need to dissolve the contents of the second sachet in water. It is drunk before bedtime from 22:00 to 24:00. At this time, drink 3 cups of pure water.
If the procedure is scheduled for the afternoon, the first sachet is drunk the day before in the interval from 17:00 to 21:00. Drink 5 glasses of water. The contents of the second bag are kneaded in the morning. The solution is drunk no later than 5 hours before the procedure. At that time, they drink 3 cups of clear liquid.
Enema
According to reviews, a colonoscopy will be less painful when done properly. It will also help to avoid re-examination soon. These drugs qualitatively remove feces from the small and large intestines. Some patients consider that it is not necessary to take a laxative before the procedure. They cleanse the intestines with an enema.
It is worth noting that this method is recognized as ineffective in this case. Enema allows you to cleanse only the large intestine. This is not enough for a full diagnosis. Therefore, such procedures are prescribed in combination with a laxative. Drugs excrete feces from the body. Enema allows you to further cleanse the colon.
This method has several disadvantages. Only in 46% of cases, such a cleansing of the body will be sufficient for diagnosis. Often, without taking laxatives, the diagnosis will need to be repeated. Also, you can’t do an enema yourself. It will be required to ask relatives for someone to correctly perform this procedure.
Moreover, the presented method is traumatic for the mucosa. This is a rather uncomfortable procedure.
Effects
After a colonoscopy, various unpleasant sensations may occur. In most cases, this is normal. Doctors say that in most cases, patients tolerate the procedure well. Complications are rare.
After the diagnosis, gas is removed from the intestine. Therefore, bloating should pass. Discomfort and soreness also disappear. The patient should not experience weakness or dizziness. If these symptoms appear, you should consult your doctor. You need to call an ambulance if spotting appears or the temperature rises sharply. Symptoms of internal bleeding may include a decrease in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.
After the appearance of discomfort, you need to undergo an examination. It is recommended that you contact only trusted clinics. Otherwise, there is a chance of infection or perforation of the intestinal wall. In the latter case, surgical surgery is indicated. A good specialist will perform the procedure without complications.
Having considered the features of conducting a colonoscopy, the reviews of patients and doctors about such manipulations, you can correctly tune in to such a diagnosis. Turning to a clinic with a good reputation, as well as properly preparing for the procedure, you can get a high examination result, identify various diseases at an early stage of development.