What Diseases Can Be Detected by a Colonoscopy?

What is Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy refers to a medical procedure in which a medical professional or a doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a camera (colonoscope) to find out the inside of the rectum and colon (large intestine). This device detects abnormalities such as polyps, growths, or inflammation, which could be further investigated or removed. Colonoscopies help see for colon cancer and could help prevent it by clearing off the precancerous polyps.

How are the Diseases Detected by a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a test that helps doctors check the inside of the colon and rectum. It uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end. The doctor inserts this tube through the anus to look for any problems. This test helps find diseases early, which makes treatment more effective.

What is the time duration of a colonoscopy process?

It takes about 30–60 minutes for a colonoscopy procedure, but this is based on other needs, such as taking biopsies. However, it requires 2-3 hours overall for the patients and carers at the endoscopy centre or hospital, as well as the preparation and recovery time.

It takes about 15 minutes to correct the colonoscope to the end of the patient’s large intestine. To take it out it takes more than 15 minutes. Through this, the Doctor will able to view the whole large intestine twice. If they want to clear off or treat, this may need extra time. Colon polyps involve a standard process to clear them off on sight, which might still need more than 15 minutes.

What happens post colonoscopy process?

After your colonoscopy process, you must rest for the first hour in the healthcare centre. This provides you valuable time to recover from the anaesthesia that was given prior to the colonoscopy procedure. Your healthcare team will thoroughly see you for signs and symptoms of health risks.

When you get awake, your gastroenterologist will pay attention to what they have seen during the exam and any methods they performed. You may get a formal report through mail or electronically. If they gather a sample of tissue for biopsy, then you will get those test results later.

How long does it take to recover from a colonoscopy?

It takes about 24 hours to fully recover from the anaesthesia. This is why healthcare givers strictly advise you not to drive, operate any equipment, or make important decisions until the next day. But you may start to experience more like yourself each hour. You may get a little bloating, gas pain, or nausea in the first two hours, but this has to be passed quickly. You could have your normal diet once you get completely healed. If your healthcare provider gathers the tissue during the colonoscopy procedure, then you might suffer from rectal bleeding for some days afterwards.

When will your Doctor recommend a colonoscopy?

Your Doctor will recommend a colonoscopy for such medical conditions.

Having the above two polyps.
Having a large polyp of size larger than 0.4 inches (1 centimetre).
Polyps and residual stool in the colon that prevents full examination of the colon
Polyps with some cell characteristics that show a higher risk of future cancer
Cancerous polyps

Colonoscopy Procedure

Before starting a colonoscopy procedure, you will be provided with the medications that make you relaxed and drowsy. These medications are provided by placing a soft and flexible tube known as an intravenous line inside a vein, generally into the back of your hand or arm. Those medications will give you sedation so that you will not be able to remember the procedure or feel the pain.

During the screening, your gastroenterologist may gather the suspicious tissues for testing and further prevention.
At the procedure, the patient must lie on the left-hand side with the posture of the knees tucked up to the chest. Then, the colonoscope will be gently inserted through the anus and up into the colon. Meanwhile, air, or carbon dioxide, is used to help with colonoscope insertion.
Once the colonoscope reaches the point or location at which the colon joins the small intestine, the Doctor may slowly take it out by carefully seeing the colon lining. Then the images may be taken. The colonoscopy process requires a time of 15 to 30 minutes.
After the colon polyps are seen in this procedure, they are gathered, and the tissue is sent for further analysis to see if the polyp is cancerous or non-cancerous.

Doctors recommend colonoscopies for several reasons:

Cancer Screening: People over 45 should have regular screenings.
Unexplained Symptoms: Pain, bleeding, diarrhoea, or weight loss may need further investigation.
Family History: A history of colon cancer or polyps increases the risk.

Diseases That Can Be Diagnosed with a Colonoscopy

Diseases that can be detected through colonoscopy are as follows:

Colorectal Cancer

Doctors use colonoscopy to check for colorectal cancer. This cancer starts as small growths called polyps. These polyps can turn cancerous over time. The doctor can remove them during the test to reduce the risk of cancer. Early detection improves the chances of successful treatment.

Polyps in the Colon

Polyps are small, and there are abnormal growths on the colon lining. Not all polyps turn into cancer, but some do. Removing them prevents serious problems later. People over 45 should get regular colonoscopies to check for polyps.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

A colonoscopy helps diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This condition includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both cause long-term inflammation in the digestive tract. People with IBD often have diarrhoea, stomach pain, and weight loss. The test helps doctors see the affected areas and decide on treatment.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract. In the colon, it causes inflammation, ulcers, and swelling. A colonoscopy helps doctors see the damage and plan treatment. This disease does not have a cure, but medication can help control symptoms.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. It causes sores, swelling, and bleeding. People with this disease often have bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and weight loss. A colonoscopy helps confirm the diagnosis and check the severity of the condition.

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis happens when small pouches, called diverticula, form in the colon wall. These pouches do not always cause problems. However, if they become infected or inflamed, the condition turns into diverticulitis. Symptoms include pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. A colonoscopy helps detect these pouches and confirm inflammation.

Colonic Strictures

A colonic stricture is a narrowing in the colon that makes it hard for waste to pass. It can happen due to inflammation, previous surgeries, or cancer. This condition may cause pain, constipation, and bloating. A colonoscopy helps locate strictures and guide treatment.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Blood in the stool can be a sign of many conditions. A colonoscopy helps find the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. The doctor looks for ulcers, polyps, or inflamed areas that might be bleeding. Finding the source helps in choosing the right treatment.

Microscopic Colitis

Some people experience chronic watery diarrhoea without any visible colon damage. This condition is called microscopic colitis. The doctor takes a small tissue sample during the colonoscopy and examines it under a microscope. This test helps confirm the diagnosis.

Colon Infections

Certain bacterial or parasitic infections affect the colon. They cause symptoms like diarrhoea, pain, and fever. A colonoscopy helps find signs of infection and confirm the need for further tests.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum. They cause pain, itching, and bleeding. While doctors usually diagnose them through a simple exam, a colonoscopy can help rule out other causes of bleeding. A colonoscopy helps detect many diseases, from cancer to minor digestive issues. Early detection allows for better treatment and improved health. People experiencing symptoms or at risk should consult a doctor and schedule a screening.

Will a colonoscopy show liver damage?

A colonoscopy cannot visualise liver damage directly, it primarily examines the rectum and large intestine and indicates indirect signs of liver disease.