• Gastro
• Introduction
• Endoscopy Services
• Gastrocopy
• Colonoscopy

COLONOSCOPY
What is Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a day surgery procedure that allows visualization of the colon (big intestine) via a miniature video camera.

How is a Colonoscopy performed?

• Bowel preparation to clear all stools is required a day before colonoscopy. A clean bowel is essential to increase accuracy and shorten duration of procedure. You will be given advice regarding diet and medicines to clear the stools
• Fasting of 8 hours is required – no food and drinks
• Intravenous sedation is administered. Hence the process will be well tolerated.
• Specialist doctor will gently pass the endoscope (soft flexible tube with video camera) through your anus, up the rectum into the big intestine. This is the only technique that allows tissues to be biopsied and polyps to be removed.
• The procedure lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, but you will need to rest in the recovery room for 2 to 3 hours for the sedation to wear off. Do not drive home.

Why is the Colonoscopy recommended?

• Abdominal pain
• Bloatedness, flatulence
• Change in bowel movements
• Blood in stools
• Mucus in stools
• Anaemia – low red blood cell count / drop in red blood cell count
• Positive result for stool occult blood test
• Unexplained weight loss
• History of colon polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
• Family history of colon cancer
• Screening for people above 50 years of age

Purpose of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is used to check for colon polyp, colitis (inflammatory bowel disease eg Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis) and colon cancer. Colon polyps will be removed during the colonoscopy and sent to lab for analysis. This can help to prevent a precancerous polyp from turning cancerous in future.

Asia Healthpartners is a Medisave accredited centre with day surgery centre for gastroscopy and colonoscopy and visiting consultant specialist for scope.

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