In the article, we consider what the preparation for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax" represents.
This is an endoscopic examination, with the help of which there is a study and examination of the rectum, the distal colon of the sigmoid colon. Perform the procedure using a special tool called a sigmoidoscope. This is an apparatus, which is a tube 25-35 cm long. Its diameter does not exceed 2 cm.
The sigmoidoscope is equipped with a lighting system, lenses, a device that allows you to pump air. In order for the procedure to be successful and not cause the development of complications, the patient must carry out the correct preparation for sigmoidoscopy. We will talk about Mikrolax below.
Indications
Sigmoidoscopy is prescribed to patients who have one of the following pathologies or conditions:
- Soreness in the colon.
- Bleeding.
- Inflammatory processes, hemorrhoids.
- Suspicion of a neoplasm.
- The appearance of purulent or mucous discharge from the anus.
It is contraindicated to carry out the procedure on the same day when it was prescribed, since the patient needs preparation for the study of sigmoidoscopy. Mikrolaks in this case can help.
Preparation rules
First of all, it should be noted that a high-quality picture of the rectum during the study can only be obtained if this organ is released in advance. Prevention of the accumulation of toxins in the rectum allows a preliminary (3-5 days before the study) transition to a non-slag diet. It is based on products that are not enriched with dietary fiber. Nutrition with their use leads to the production of feces, which impede the research procedure.
What foods can not be consumed?
The patient is recommended to abandon the use of the following products:
- Fresh herbs, vegetables, in particular beets, carrots, white cabbage.
- Bakery products.
- Citrus fruits.
- Fruits: apples, apricots, peaches.
- Carbonated drinks and juices with pulp.
These products are saturated with fiber, the absorption of which takes quite a long time. To prevent the accumulation of feces in the intestines, the patient should switch to fish dishes and lean meat.
It should be noted that the latter can be used only if it is steamed or boiled. Smoked and fried meat can lead to intoxication of the body.
Weekly ration correction
The patient should adjust his diet about a week before the study, switch to the use of wheat, buckwheat porridge, broths. Rice porridge is better not to eat, as it causes an accumulation of feces in the intestines. If a sigmoidoscopy is scheduled for the morning, then only tea can be consumed the night before.
Just before the procedure (in the morning) is forbidden. If the doctor finds out that the patient has not prepared enough for the procedure, he can cancel the study or reschedule it for another time.
The patient should give preference to such products as:
- Broths, lean soups.
- Ice cream, jelly.
- Juices (without pulp).
- Homemade mayonnaise, vegetable oils.
- Sour-milk, dairy products.
The stage of preparation for sigmoidoscopy also includes the collection of anamnesis. The specialist in advance interviews the patient about cases of allergies, about the use of drugs, recent studies of the digestive tract.
It should be noted that many patients refuse such a study of the rectum. This is due primarily to the fact that a sigmoidoscope is inserted into the rectum through the anus.
Patients should not be shy, sigmoidoscopy is an absolute normal type of study conducted by a specialist repeatedly. During the study, excrement of feces, which occurs along the movement of the apparatus, is not excluded. So that the feces in the rectal cavity do not interfere with the progression of the sigmoidoscope tube, it is treated with specially designed means. In addition, the patient is given an enema on the day of the study, which allows him to clean the intestines as well as possible.
It should be borne in mind that self-setting an enema itself is undesirable, as it can lead to injury to the intestinal cavity.
In addition, the patient is recommended to arrange with someone from relatives or relatives to be taken away from the medical institution after the study. This is due to the fact that doctors forbid driving vehicles for 12 hours after sigmoidoscopy, as the patient will experience a feeling of discomfort. It is also forbidden to drink alcohol during the day after the procedure. On the eve of the study, alcohol should also be abandoned, since they adversely affect the course of the procedure and can provoke complications.
Preparation for rectoscopy of the rectum with Microlax
Before examining the intestines, you must first clean it. For this purpose, patients are given cleansing enemas or the use of special medications is recommended. One of these tools designed to cleanse the intestinal cavity is the micro-enema "Microlax".
How does she act?
The process of preparation for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax" is based on the mild laxative property of the drug. The tool is an ideal composition for cleansing the intestines before examining it.
However, the drug has a significant drawback, which is too mild laxative effect. If the patient does not have stool disorders, a mild effect is the best option for cleansing the intestines, which does not cause discomfort. If the patient has problems with emptying, then the mild effect of the drug may not be sufficient to completely cleanse the organ.
Characteristics of the drug
"Microlax" is a group of laxatives with a mild effect on the intestinal mucosa. The medicine is of American origin, the manufacturer comes in the form of a solution packaged in miniature enemas from a polymer material. Each microclyster has a convenient tip with a seal, which is broken off immediately before use. In a cardboard package there are 4 microclysters, each of which contains 5 ml of a medicinal solution.
How to prepare for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax", it is important to find out in advance. Defecation after using the product occurs after 5-20 minutes. The exact time depends on the individual characteristics of the body of each patient. The effect of the drug is due to the properties of the active substances in its composition:
- Sodium citrate. Able to extract water from feces.
- Glycerol. Under its influence, the mucous lining of the rectum is irritated, as a result of which peristalsis improves.
- Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. It liquefies the stool in the intestines for a short time.
- Purified water. It is an additional connecting element of the medication.
- Sorbitol. Stimulates peristalsis, the flow of water into the intestinal cavity.
- Sorbic acid. It is an auxiliary substance.
If the patient has intolerance to any of the listed substances, then the use of a laxative solution is contraindicated. It is worth giving preference to another suitable drug.
Is it always possible to use "Microlax" for sigmoidoscopy?
Contraindications
In accordance with the opinion of experts, the medication can be used by nursing and pregnant women for infants. This is possible due to the fact that the active components of Microlax are not absorbed and do not penetrate into the bloodstream. Nevertheless, the use of the drug is recommended to be agreed with the doctor.
The main contraindication to the use of the drug is increased hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In this case, the patient is recommended to use another medicine having similar properties and a different composition.
It is strictly forbidden to use a medicinal solution if its shelf life has expired or the integrity of the polymer packaging has been violated.
How is the preparation for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax", if the procedure in the morning?
Preparation process
Before applying the laxative, you should wash your hands well using soap and clean the skin around the anus. Then break off the seal from the tip of the microclyster, gently push on it so that drops of solution appear. Keep the tube upright. After depressurization of the microclyster, its tip is inserted into the anus and its contents are pressed out. After some time, a bowel movement will occur.
Before using “Microlax” before sigmoidoscopy, you should consult your doctor.
Possible complications
The procedure for examining the rectum can be carried out in two positions, one of which the patient takes after he exposes the lower body. The most popular position is on the side with legs bent at the knees. If convenient, the patient can take a knee-elbow pose.
First, the doctor treats the anus with petroleum jelly, which increases the patency of the device’s tube. They also process the sigmoidoscope tube itself, after which it is introduced into the anus by 5-10 cm.
After that, the device is advanced further, periodically pumping it. This is necessary so that the walls of the rectum expand, and the folds on their surface are aligned. Promoting the device, a specialist studies the intestinal internal membranes, which makes it possible to detect pathological changes and defects.
Is the procedure painful?
Patients are often interested in how painful a sigmoidoscopy is. The procedure itself is painless, but uncomfortable for the patient. To reduce discomfort, no local anesthetics are used. General anesthesia is also not used. Thus, the patient can reduce discomfort only by relaxing as much as possible.
It is worth noting that at 12 cm from the rectal opening there is a bowel curve. If the patient is not sufficiently relaxed, a slight pain will be felt when the sigmoid colon tube of the sigmoid colon is transferred.
Reviews on the preparation for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax"
This is not a very pleasant, but sometimes just a necessary procedure. Patients report that with proper preliminary preparation and complete relaxation during the process, the study does not cause severe pain. Only slight discomfort is felt. Reviews about the preparation for sigmoidoscopy "Microlax" are generally positive. The drug acts gently, easy to use, the effect of it comes quickly. In addition, the tool has virtually no contraindications, is well tolerated. Separately, the quite affordable cost of a laxative solution is noted.
We examined how to use Mikrolaks before sigmoidoscopy.