Colonoscopy Ankara

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible endoscope device with a camera at its tip is used to examine the entire large intestine and the last part of the small intestine, similar to gastroscopy in endoscopy.

Does colonoscopy cause pain?

When performed without sedation or anesthesia, colonoscopy is usually painful. The pain is caused by the pressure of the colonoscope passing through the bends of the intestines and the distension created by the air introduced to improve visibility. Actually, procedures like biopsy, cauterization, or cutting inside the digestive system do not cause pain; the pain felt is due to the stretching of the intestines as explained above.

During colonoscopy in Ankara, carbon dioxide, which is absorbed more quickly by the intestines than normal air, is used. This helps reduce the pain and discomfort caused by gas distension after the procedure, making it milder and shorter in duration. However, if deep sedation is not applied, pain may still be felt. Nowadays, performing colonoscopy with deep sedation using propofol administered by an anesthesiologist provides great comfort for both the patient and the endoscopist, and this method is becoming increasingly common.

Why is colonoscopy performed?

There are many reasons to perform a colonoscopy:

The World Health Organization previously recommended colonoscopy screening for everyone over 50 years old regardless of symptoms, but this age limit has recently been lowered to 45. Most colon cancers develop from precancerous polyps. The goal of screening is to detect and remove these polyps before they become cancerous.
Individuals with a family history of colon cancer, especially if diagnosed before age 50, should have colonoscopy screening at an earlier age.
Follow-up in patients who have previously had polyps detected during colonoscopy.
Suspicion of colon cancer.
Iron deficiency.
Bloody or mucous stools.
Unexplained abdominal pain.
Chronic diarrhea lasting more than one month.
Unexplained weight loss.
New onset constipation or changes in bowel habits.
Suspected inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

How should colonoscopy preparation be done?

Most patients complain not only about the procedure itself but also about the colon cleansing process required before the procedure. For a quality evaluation during colonoscopy, proper colon cleansing is an essential prerequisite. A procedure performed on a poorly cleaned colon will never yield reliable results.

All the effort spent by both the patient and the endoscopist would be wasted. Therefore, patients must strictly follow the prescribed colonoscopy preparation diet and take the medications as instructed. The recommended cleansing medication, diet duration, and diet content may vary depending on the patient. Patients need to stop eating at least 8 hours before the procedure and stop drinking liquids at least 4 hours prior. They should arrive for the procedure fasting and without any fluids.

Can I take my medications before colonoscopy?

All medications currently being used should be reported to the doctor performing the procedure. If necessary, your doctor may advise you to stop or continue certain medications.

Diabetes medications may need to be stopped or reduced during preparation due to the risk of low blood sugar.
Hypertension medications can usually be taken with close blood pressure monitoring.
Decisions about blood-thinning medications depend on the patient’s clinical condition and the purpose of the procedure.
Aspirin, painkillers, and iron supplements should ideally be stopped if possible.

Who performs colonoscopy?

Besides proper bowel cleansing, another important factor affecting the quality of the procedure is that it should be performed by an experienced and qualified endoscopist.

Another crucial aspect is the use of advanced technology devices and methods. Techniques such as imaging with different light wavelengths, chromoendoscopy (dyeing),and magnification to improve visualization and differentiation of lesions in the colon are among the technologies used for this purpose.

Is there any risk associated with colonoscopy?

When performed for diagnostic purposes, colonoscopy is a very low-risk and safe procedure. The risk is slightly higher when polyps are removed, superficial bleeding vessels are cauterized, or in the presence of severe acute colitis. However, this low risk is not sufficient to prevent the procedure from being performed. The most common complication is perforation of the bowel.

How often should colonoscopy be performed?

For individuals without colon cancer risk factors: once every 10 years
For those with a family history of early-onset colon cancer: once every 5 years
For patients with detected polyps: frequency depends on the type, number, and size of the polyps
For patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis lasting more than 8-10 years: annual colonoscopy is required
In other cases that may vary depending on the patient, the decision should be made by the doctor.