I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.
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Dementia and Your Loved One
What Will Happen During A Colonoscopy Procedure?
Vickie Armstrong
What happens during a colonoscopy procedure? You've read about the prep and know the potentially life-saving benefits of this preventative test. But you're still not clear on what will happen after you arrive at the hospital or outpatient medical center. If this is your first colonoscopy, take a look at what you need to know about the procedure.
You Won't Feel Anything During the Procedure
It's common for patients to worry about pain during this procedure. But most people do not feel anything during a colon cancer screening. The doctor will perform this test while you are asleep. Unlike invasive surgical procedures, this test will not require general anesthesia. This means you won't need a breathing tube during your colonoscopy.
Instead of general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist (a specialized medical professional who administers anesthesia) will start an IV and give you a medication that allows you to rest comfortably. Even though most people sleep through the procedure, it is possible for you to wake up if the doctor needs you to.
The level of sedation used during this screening depends on your preferences, the doctor's recommendations, the complexity of the procedure, and your overall health. A lighter level of sedation allows you to respond to most verbal commands. But you may wake easily and could feel the scope as it enters or moves through your body.
Moderate or conscious sedation provides a deeper level of sleep. If you choose this type of sedation, you may not have any memory of the procedure.
You Will Know If the Doctor Finds Anything Abnormal
Instead of waiting days or weeks for results, you will know what the doctor sees almost immediately. After you are resting comfortably, the doctor will insert a thin scope into the rectum. The doctor will use the instrument to pump air or carbon dioxide into the colon. This inflates the colon and allows the doctor to see the lining clearly.
The scope also contains a light and a tiny video camera. As the doctor weaves the scope through your colon, the images from the camera will appear on a large screen in the exam room. If the doctor sees a polyp or other abnormal lesion, they can insert an instrument through the scope and into your colon. This allows the doctor to remove polyps during the screening procedure.
While the doctor can provide general results based on what they saw during the procedure, you may need to wait a few days for biopsy results from a polyp removal. The exact time these results take depends on the medical facility and the lab's turnaround speed.
For more information on colonoscopy procedures, contact a professional near you.
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