How Long Does A Colonoscopy Take Including Recovery

Then, do you know the facts about colonoscopies – or just the myths? Read on equally nosotros dispel the falsehoods and arm you with the facts nigh colonoscopies.

Myth: Colonoscopies have also long.

Fact: A colonoscopy procedure takes only 30 minutes.

Colonoscopies do non "take all day," but information technology'due south certainly understandable why people circulate this myth. The process itself takes just 15-30 minutes, but the colonoscopy prep and pre-op/mail-op time commitment makes the procedure seem much longer. Withal, when you consider the years (or even decades) a colonoscopy can add to your life, the time spent on this life-saving procedure comes into perspective.

Information technology may exist tempting to opt for alternative colon cancer screening tests. However, a colonoscopy offers significantly more health benefits for similar cost, making it the recommended screening for colon cancer detection and prevention. Moreover, it's the only colon cancer screening method that really prevents cancer past allowing your medico to remove precancerous colon polyps during the process. All colon cancer begins every bit a polyp, so no polyps hateful no cancer! No test besides a colonoscopy can preclude you from getting colon cancer.

The Facts About Having a Colonoscopy

Everyone loves a practiced story with exaggerated details for humor and emphasis, only colonoscopy tales tend to lose brownie as they circulate. The all-time way to bust myths is to know the facts. Here are the facts regarding the steps of a colonoscopy and why each step is important:

Earlier the Colonoscopy

Staying colon cancer-free requires some work on your function, and that is the bowel preparation, likewise referred to equally colonoscopy prep. Proper bowel prep is essential for an effective colonoscopy. For a full colon cleanse, you lot will need to follow the detailed instructions included in your bowel prep kit. You'll demand to adhere to a articulate liquid diet in the hours prior to your colonoscopy. You tin have some canonical treats with specific restrictions. And there are ways y'all can make colonoscopy prep easier.

During the Colonoscopy

You should plan on spending 2 to three hours at your outpatient GI center on the day of your colonoscopy. You volition demand to go far early on for your appointment then you lot can check in and fill out paperwork. In one case the nurse calls you back, the procedure volition move forth quickly. Most colonoscopies are performed with anesthesia or sedatives that put you to sleep, and so you won't even recollect the procedure.

While under anesthesia, your GI doctor will examine the length of your colon for any signs of colon cancer or other diseases of the digestive system. At that fourth dimension, the doctor volition remove suspicious polyps to reduce your risk of cancer.

After the Colonoscopy

You lot will feel a little groggy upon awakening, just once you're alert, you will get dressed and see with your physician to briefly go over your results. If no polyps are institute and you lot have no family unit history of the disease, you won't have to come back for another x years.

A family fellow member or friend must drive you dwelling. The proficient news is that y'all tin spend the rest of the day resting and eating a normal nutrition. The sedative will continue to wear off throughout the day, and you will be able to return to piece of work the following day.

24 hours for 10 years

Is 24 hours of your time worth 10 years of skillful wellness? When yous look at it that fashion, is it really even a question? Don't allow myths drive your healthcare decisions. If y'all take questions about how a colonoscopy is done or when to become a colonoscopy, ask your gastroenterologist.