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Colonoscopy is a very important examination in the diagnosis of colon diseases. There are many diseases in which it is used for therapeutic purposes as well as being very useful in diagnosing. During the procedure, a bendable flexible tube with a camera at the end is advanced through the anus, advanced through the entire large intestine, and entered into the small intestine. During the procedure, the inner surface of the large intestine and the visible part of the small intestine are evaluated. Diseases such as tumors of the colon (large intestine) or rectum (the last part of the large intestine), polyps (pre-tumor swellings), diverticula, bleeding conditions (AV malformation), inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) can be detected in colonoscopy. Detected small polyps can be removed and bleeding can be stopped if any.
In people who do not have a family history of large intestine disease, screening colonoscopy is recommended from the age of 50, even if there are no complaints. If there is a family history, this age limit is reduced to 40. If the colonoscopy is normal, it is recommended to repeat it every 5 years. If the polyp is detected and removed, it should be checked after 3 years.
Colonoscopy is performed under a mild sedative effect, and general anesthesia may be required from time to time. An uneventful colonoscopy takes 10-15 minutes, but may take longer in patient and disease-specific situations. Since the patient is under the effect of sedatives, they do not feel pain during the procedure and do not remember the procedure. Since the large intestine is inflated with air during the procedure, patients may feel some swelling and pain afterward.
Since the inner surface of the large intestine is examined during colonoscopy, the intestine must be completely free of feces. Small tumors, polyps can be masked in the presence of stool. Therefore, patients need to make bowel preparations. In this preparation, the patient is fed with watery grain-free foods the day before the procedure, drinks the laxative (diarrhea) drug prescribed or prescribed by his doctor, and makes enemas at the specified times. It is desirable that the stool is clear as water when the cleaning is finished. The patient should drink plenty of fluids during cleaning so that he or she does not experience a lack of fluid.
Since the patient will be under the influence of the drug, it is recommended to come to the center where the procedure will be performed with a relative in order not to be alone on the way home. It is not recommended for the patient to drive on the day of the procedure. _cc781905-5cf58d__cc781905cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ _cc781905-5cf58d__ccb-bb19358d__cf315315359cf5cf58d__cf31359