Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy can diagnose:
• Inflammatory diseases
• Infectious, origin of bleeding
• Presence of polyps
• Cancer , among others;
It also allows for some preventive or corrective treatments for bleeding, polyps, strictures, among others.
Colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure performed under sedation that examines the large intestine (rectum and colon) and the end of the small intestine using a colonoscope (a flexible tube with a small camera at the end) that is inserted through the anus, through all regions of the colon to the cecum, and most often into the last part of the small intestine, called the ileum. When performing the exam, the gastroenterologist will consider whether biopsies are necessary based on the findings in the tissues.
General recommendations
Preparation for the procedure is of vital importance for the correct preparation and performance of the examination requested of you. Remember that it is your treating physician, or the health team that cares for you, who knows your health status and recommends the performance of this examination (indication and relevance), not the Gastroclinic Institute as such.
For technical-scientific reasons and for patient safety, we recommend that you prepare for the exam in the established manner. However, we also suggest that you consult your doctor beforehand , as he or she is the one who knows your health condition and can best advise you on the possibility of doing this preparation, in case you have an illness or are undergoing treatment that cannot be interrupted for fasting.
For endoscopic procedures, patients over 75 years of age, under 12 years of age, or with cognitive disability problems, sleep apnea (those who use CPAP), those who have suffered a heart attack less than six months ago, with psychiatric disorders, genetic disorders, epilepsy and those who use oxygen in their daily lives must report this condition by contacting the Gastroclinical Institute before beginning the preparation, in order to confirm the appointment assignment.
Recommendations prior to the procedure
During the two days before the exam
Do not consume:
• Fruits that contain seeds and peels (e.g. granadilla, papaya, guava, tree tomato, passion fruit).
• Legumes and/or pulses (beans, lentils, chickpeas, corn, green beans, peas, tomatoes, quinoa, onions).
Diet for the day before the exam
You may consume the following foods in the desired quantity until 6:00 pm:
• Egg (hard-boiled, scrambled or fried egg, without seasonings or vegetables )
• White bread (without seeds or whole grains)
• White rice (no garlic, no onion or tomato sauce)
• Pasta soup (plain, no vegetables)
• Broth-based soups (strained)
• Chicken, white fish or salmon.
• Gelatin or water popsicles ( not red or purple )
• Beverages: clear liquids such as water, artificial juices that are not red or purple, panela water, soluble chicken broth, aromatic drinks, clear carbonated drinks or lemon-lime soda, Gatorade® or other sports drinks ( that are not red ), coffee or tea (without milk or cream, do not consume green tea).
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages the day before the procedure.
Recommendations for the day of the procedure
First step, the day before the exam
• At 8:00 pm, dissolve the first sachet of the preparation in a 250 cc glass of water, shake for about 3 minutes (the solution increases in temperature and becomes cloudy), start drinking the mixture until the prepared solution has been ingested.
• It is necessary to continue drinking clear liquids in plenty of quantity until bedtime, you should consume at least six glasses (1.5 liters) of clear liquids. This helps to cleanse the colon.
Second step, the day of the exam
(5 horas antes del procedimiento):
• Disolver el segundo sobre de la preparación en un vaso de 250 cc.
• Debe consumir al menos seis vasos (1,5 litros) de líquidos claros hasta 3 horas antes del procedimiento.
• Debe tener mínimo 3 horas de ayuno total antes del examen.
• La deposición debe estar como agua clara sin residuos.
If you are taking medications such as Clopidogrel (Plavix), Ribaroxaban (Xarelto), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Apixaban (Eliquis), Warfarin (Coumadin) or any other medication that has an anticoagulant effect, you should consult with your physician about the possibility of discontinuing them and do so with his/her authorization.
If you are diabetic and take oral hypoglycemic medications, you should not take them on the day of the procedure.