A colonoscopy checks the colon for polyps, inflammation, or early signs of cancer. The process:
- Preparation (the night before). You eat food that’s easy to digest and drink a special liquid to clean out your colon. This part is what patients fear the not the actual procedure.
- Sedation. You are given light anesthesia so you are asleep or very relaxed throughout.
- The scope. A thin flexible tube with a camera is put through your colon allowing the doctor to see the inside in time.
- Polyp removal (if needed). Small growths can be taken out away without pain during the same procedure.
- Recovery. It takes 30 to 60 minutes; most people go home the day feeling a bit dizzy. Okay.
The entire procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Fear of not knowing what happens stops people from getting screened than the procedure itself. Interns. What procedure did you used to be nervous, about until you actually learned how it worked?
MBH/PS