What is Endoscopy?

a procedure in which an instrument is introduced into the body to give a view of its internal parts.

Provis Rudd:

Colonoscopy

The colon's job is to dehydrate what's left of the food and form it into stool. It does this by slowly
absorbing water and electrolytes as its muscle system moves the waste along. Meanwhile, bacteria
living in your colon feed on the waste and break it down further, completing the chemical part of the
digestive process.

Symptoms
 A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation.
 Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
 Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.
 A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement.
 Weakness or tiredness.
 Losing weight without trying.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows an endoscopist to see the inside lining of the
rectum and colon using a special instrument called a colonoscope.

A colonoscope is a flexible tube with a miniature camera attached to one end so that the
endoscopist can visualize your colon and take photographs if necessary. You will be
sedated in this procedure for your comfort therefore, you must have a responsible adult
available to pick you up from the clinic lobby as appointments with sedation will prohibit
you from driving or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after your appointment.

During a colonoscopy, tissue samples can be collected and polyps can be removed. A
colonoscopy is true cancer prevention since, unlike other cancers, in colon cancer there
is a precursor (i.e. a polyp) which can be removed to prevent the cancer from
developing. In the other forms of cancer, the malignancy is already established when a
growth or tumor is discovered.

Preparing and emptying your bowel is a key step in whether you have a complete and
successful colonoscopy.
Please note that if you are scheduled for both a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy you are
to follow the preparation instructions for a colonoscopy.
DURING YOUR COLONOSCOPY
You will be greeted by a nurse who will prepare you for your procedure. If you do not speak or read English,
you must bring a translator.
The nurse will have you change into a gown and will do a brief intake assessment on you before you go into
the procedure room.

AFTER YOUR COLONOSCOPY

You will remain in the recovery room for close observaon for a 1⁄2 hour or longer. You will be given instrucons
on how to care for yourself when you get home. A bloated feeling and flatulence can occur as air is used for
visibility but should go away within 24 hours.
You should rest for the remainder of the day. You will be able to resume your normal diet immediately aer the
procedure unless instructed otherwise.

The procedure is usually tolerated well. However, some paents may experience discomfort or mild cramping
aer the procedure, which should resolve with the passing of gas.

Arrange a ride home

Plan to be at the clinic for about 2 hours,

from start to finish.

Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and pick you up from inside the clinic. This does not
include: taxi driver, Uber, Ly, Para transpo driver, etc.

24 hours aer your colonoscopy procedure you CANNOT:

- Drive a vehicle
- Operate heavy machinery
- Perform any business transacons - Drink any alcohol
Please remember to:

 - Wear loose fing clothes; Leave valuables at home (phones are not valuables)
 - Do not wear nail polish, hand
 cream, body loon
 Please bring:
 - Your OHIP card
- Your cell-phone
- A bole of juice (Vitamin
 Water/Gatorade) to drink aer the procedure to restore energy and electrolytes. (we will not provide
any refreshments due to COVID restricons)
 - Oponal – An extra pair of underwear
 Possible Complicaons
 Colonoscopies are safe procedures and are associated with very low risk when performed by trained
and experienced physicians.
 Significant bleeding aer removal of polyps occurs in less than 1% of paents. Perforaon of the colon
occurs in less than 1 in 4000 cases. If perforaon occurs, surgery may be required. Rarely, a temporary
colostomy is necessary.
 Somemes, lesions or polyps can be missed, especially if the bowel preparaon is poor.

Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is a procedure where the upper digestive tract – the esophagus (the tube
leading from the mouth), the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the
duodenum) can be examined using a long thin flexible tube with a tiny video camera at
the tip. During the procedure, small pieces of the lining (biopsies) can be taken for study
under a microscope and if necessary, for culture or infections. Some polyps can also be
removed during the procedure.

Gastroscopy is the most effective way to diagnose and manage diseases of the
esophagus and stomach. You will be sedated for this procedure. The procedure lasts
about 10 to 15 minutes. You will spend another 30 minutes to an hour recovering from
the sedation given for the test. The preparation for a gastroscopy is a lot simpler than a
colonoscopy and can be viewed below.

Please note that if you are scheduled for both a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy you are
to follow the preparation instructions for a colonoscopy.

What happens after an upper GI endoscopy?

After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room to be watched. Once your blood
pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are awake and alert, you will be taken to your
hospital room. Or you may be discharged to your home. If you are going home, someone must
drive you.
You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything until your gag reflex returns. This is to prevent
you from choking. You may have a sore throat and pain for a few days when you swallow. This
is normal.

You may feel gassy after the procedure.

You may go back to your normal diet and activities, unless you have other instructions.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:

 Fever or chills
 Redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the IV site
 Belly pain, nausea, or vomiting
 Black, tarry, or bloody stools
 Trouble swallowing
 Throat or chest pain that gets worse

Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions, depending on your situation.

Next steps
Before you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:

 The name of the test or procedure

 The reason you are having the test or procedure
 What results to expect and what they mean
 The risks and benefits of the test or procedure
 What the possible side effects or complications are
 When and where you are to have the test or procedure
 Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are
 What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure
 Any alternative tests or procedures to think about
 When and how will you get the results
 Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems
 How much will you have to pay for the test or procedure

Conscious Sedation
for Endoscopy Patient Information
Conscious Sedation is the use of medication to help you relax and keep you
comfortable during your procedure.

If you are pregnant, or suspect you may be, please inform your endoscopy team prior to
the procedure.

What to Expect

 ⦁ You will feel drowsy and relaxed (this is not a general anesthetic).
 ⦁ You will be able to follow instructions during your procedure.
 ⦁ You may or may not remember what happened during your procedure.

 ⦁ You may feel bloating and cramping during and after the procedure. This can be

relieved by releasing air from the bowel and / or stomach. Walking may help move
the air along faster.

Going Home
⦁ You MUST arrange for a responsible adult to

take you home after your procedure and stay with you for 24 hours.

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Activities

You may feel tired, drowsy, and have trouble concentrating after your procedure. You
are considered legally impaired for 24 hours; therefore:

⦁ Important decisions should not be made.

⦁If you smoke, you should have a responsible person present. You may be drowsy and
fall asleep.

⦁ DO NOT operate a vehicle, machinery, or power tools.

⦁ DO NOT sign legal documents.

⦁ DO NOT give care to others.

⦁ DO NOT engage in any activity that could cause harm to yourself or others.

⦁ DO NOT ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle.

Medications

 ⦁ Take only medications prescribed by your doctor.

 ⦁ Please notify your doctor if you are taking herbal medications or vitamins prior to
the procedure.
 ⦁ If you regularly smoke marijuana or use cannabis products, or other drugs,

please let your endoscopy team know as these affect the sedation.
  ⦁ Contact your doctor if you have any questions.

Your procedure may be cancelled if you have not made

arrangements for going home

Eating and Drinking

 ⦁ Once you can swallow easily, you may drink and start eating a normal diet or a
diet ordered by your doctor.
 ⦁ DO NOT drink alcohol or use recreational drugs for 24 hours before and after

your procedure as they can change the effect of the medication you are given.
 ⦁ You may want to prepare food or have someone else cook for you when you get

after your procedure as it may not be safe to cook for yourself.

When to access help

If you experience any of the following symptoms, go to the nearest Emergency

Department:

 ⦁ Extreme sleepiness
 ⦁ Breathing difficulties
 ⦁ Skin is pale with bluish coloring to lips, fingers or toes
 ⦁ Pain is getting worse and not relieved by medication
 ⦁ Bleeding is getting worse in the area where the procedure was done
 ⦁ Fever of 38.5°C / 101.3°F or greater
 ⦁ Ongoing nausea and vomiting (more than

16 hours after your procedure)