Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy uses a soft, flexible tube that is introduced through your back passage and passed up through the intestine. Tissue samples can be taken and treatments performed through the colonoscope - for example, removing polyps.
How to prepare for a colonoscopy
To be able to adequately inspect the inside of the colon, it must be cleansed in advance. There are several different remedies and procedures for cleansing the colon before colonoscopy. The most common way is to drink two batches of a prescribed laxative dissolved in water. You take one in the afternoon the day before the examination and the other one in the morning on the day of the procedure.
ColorectalScreen Norway has no information about your state of health at the time of the procedure.
Therefore we ask you to contact the screening center well in advance of your colonoscopy if you:
- use blood thinners (such as Marevan/Warfarin, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Plavix and Effient, Lixiana). Dosages may have to be adjusted. Albyl-E and other acetylsalicylic acid can be used as usual.
- have a defibrillator or pacemaker
- have chronic heart, lung or kidney disease
- are under treatment, or have recently been treated for serious illness
- have a reduced general health or are in need of care
- are using medication for diabetes
- have been diagnosed with a contagious disease or have been admitted to a health care institution outside the Nordic region for the past 12 months.
Complications during a colonoscopy
The colonoscopy examination usually lasts for 20 to 40 minutes - but can sometimes take longer. One in four people experience discomfort or pain. If necessary, you can receive relaxing medicines or painkillers. In that case, you cannot drive until the next day.
Polyps can be removed by colonoscopy. This does not hurt. Complications such as bleeding or holes in the bowel occur in about 1 to 7 out of 1000 colonoscopies. This is usually treated immediately and during the examination itself, but some may need to be hospitalized.
Some complications can occur several days after you have had the examination. If you experience severe abdominal pain, fever or blood in the stools, it is important that you contact the hospital.
