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sigmoid

Colonoscopy

What are colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy?

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy are procedures that let your doctor look inside your rectum and colon (large intestine). They use instruments called scopes. Scopes have a light and a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. These procedures let your doctor see problems such as inflamed tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.

Colonoscopy checks your entire colon and rectum. Flexible sigmoidoscopy checks the rectum and the lower colon (sigmoid colon) only.

What is a virtual colonoscopy?

A virtual colonoscopy also looks inside your rectum and part of your colon. But it does not use a scope. Instead, it is an x-ray test. Another name for this test is CT colonography.

Who needs a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy?

You may need a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy to find the cause of unexplained symptoms such as:

Doctors also use these procedures to screen for colon polyps and cancer. Screening is testing for diseases when you have no symptoms. It may find diseases at an early stage, when they are easier to treat. If aren't at higher risk for colorectal cancer, your health care provider will likely recommend you start getting screenings at age 45. If you are at higher risk, you may need to start getting screened for colorectal cancer earlier.

There are also other tests to screen for colorectal cancer, including stool tests. Talk with your provider about which test is right for you and when and how often you should get it.

How do you prepare for a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy?

To prepare for a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy, you will need to:

For a virtual colonoscopy, you will also need to drink a contrast medium the night before. The contrast medium is a dye or other substance that is visible on x-rays. It can help your doctor tell the difference between stool and polyps.

How are colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy done?

For a colonoscopy:

For a virtual colonoscopy:

For a flexible sigmoidoscopy:

What should I expect after a colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy?

You may feel cramping in your abdomen or bloating during the first hour after the any of these procedures. If the doctor removed polyps or performed a biopsy, you may have light bleeding from your anus. This bleeding is normal.

For a virtual colonoscopy or a flexible sigmoidoscopy, you go back to your regular activities and diet right after the test. For a colonoscopy, you can expect a full recovery and return to your normal diet by the next day.

Your doctor will give you the results of your procedure. If you had a biopsy, it can take a few days to get those results.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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