Sigmoidoscopy

A sigmoidoscopy is a medical technique that enables a medical professional to look inside the rectum and lower portion of the colon (large intestine). Usually, it is done to look for anomalies like polyps (abnormal growths), cancer, or other conditions that could result in symptoms like stomach pain, rectal bleeding, or changes in bowel habits.

PROCEDURE

An summary of the process is provided here:

      • Preparation: You must get ready for the treatment by adhering to a particular diet and taking medicine to clean your colon. This is done to make sure the interior of your colon is clean so the doctor can do the treatment with a clear view. You will also need to make arrangements for someone to drive you home following the treatment because the anesthesia will prevent you from doing so.

     

     


      • Sedation: You will receive conscious sedation during the procedure, which means that you will be awake but relaxed and won’t be able to feel any pain. Usually, an IV in your arm is used to deliver the sedative.

      • Method: The actual sigmoidoscopy normally lasts 15 to 30 minutes. The medical professional will put a sigmoidoscope—a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end—into your rectum and progress it through the bottom portion of your colon. The camera enables the medical professional to see on a monitor the interior of your colon and rectum. Any abnormalities that are discovered by the healthcare professional, such as polyps or suspicious spots, may be removed, or a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) may be taken for additional testing.

      • Recovery: You might need to rest for a few hours after the treatment until the sedative’s effects subside. As your body expels the air that was used to inflate your colon during the treatment, you can also experience some gas or bloating.

    It’s crucial to adhere to your doctor’s advice for how to take care of yourself after the procedure. For a while, you might be told to refrain from doing things like driving. Additionally, recommendations on when to restart your regular food and medication regimen may be offered.

     

    CONDITIONS

    There are a number of issues that could prompt a medical professional to suggest sigmoidoscopy. These may consist of:

        • Colon cancer screening: The American Cancer Society advises starting colon cancer screening at age 45 for people with an average risk of developing the disease. Compared to a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy is a less thorough screening procedure for colon cancer, but it can still help find the disease when it is most treatable—early on.

        • Abnormal test results: Your healthcare practitioner may advise a sigmoidoscopy to further explore if you have had other tests, such as a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) or a colonoscopy, that produced abnormal results.

        • Symptoms: Your doctor may advise a sigmoidoscopy to identify the underlying cause of symptoms including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or changes in bowel habits.

        • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): If you have IBD, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your doctor may advise a sigmoidoscopy to track the condition’s development and look for any problems.

        • Polyps: If you’ve previously experienced polyps (abnormal growths) in your colon or rectum, your doctor may advise doing a sigmoidoscopy to look for any new polyps or to monitor any that are already present.

      It’s crucial to remember that these are just a few of the circumstances that could prompt a medical professional to advise a sigmoidoscopy. It is essential to address your concerns or questions regarding whether you might require a sigmoidoscopy with your healthcare professional.

       

      ADVANTAGES:

      The following are some benefits of sigmoidoscopy:

          • Non-invasive: Because a sigmoidoscopy does not require any cuts or injections, it is a non-invasive technique. Compared to other procedures like colonoscopy, which entails passing a colonoscope the full length of the colon, this makes it a safer and less dangerous option.

          • Rapid process: It only takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete a sigmoidoscopy, which is a pretty rapid and painless operation. Additionally, it is comparatively painless, with the majority of patients only reporting minimal discomfort.

          • No radiation exposure: Sigmoidoscopy does not expose you to radiation, unlike other examinations that do, such as CT scans and PET scans. It is therefore a safer option, especially for those who might be more radiation-sensitive (such as pregnant women and children).

          • Identifies anomalies in the lower portion of the colon: A sigmoidoscopy enables the medical professional to see within the lower portion of the colon, which is a region that is not accessible during a colonoscopy. This means that abnormalities in this area of the colon that would not be seen during a colonoscopy can be found with a sigmoidoscopy.

        Overall, a sigmoidoscopy is a secure and reliable procedure for inspecting the interior of the rectum and lower part of the colon. Early detection and treatment of problems can help prevent tragedies. Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions or worries about the operation.