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The colonoscope is about 1.5 cm in diameter. It is of very complex construction, but is plastic coated. It is sterilized before every procedure using special equipment. The efficiency of the process is regularly monitored.

Your doctor has requested this test in response to symptoms you have reported to him and/or findings on physical exam and/or results of blood tests or X-ray investigations. Successful FC will help your doctor diagnose your complaint accurately and safely.

It is important to remember that individual response vary enormously. We cannot predict how an individual will precisely respond to any test. In general, it is not painful. Some patients find the procedure uncomfortable. If you find it too uncomfortable, you can ask the doctor to stop.

A laxative must be taken the day prior to the procedure. Either Picolax or Moviprep may be prescribed. Sepcific instructions accompany each medication. No solid foods should be taken after breakfast on the day before. If you have had poor preparation for past colonoscopies please let us know as you may need a modified prep.

Please stop all iron supplements for 5 days prior to the procedure. Do not take oral diabetic tablets (e.g diamicron) the morning of the procedure. If  you take insulin or warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis or other Direct oral anticoagulants, please discuss this with us.

It is possible to administer sedative drugs into the vein prior to the procedure. A patient’s response to this type of sedation, termed intravenous sedation/analgesia (IVS) can be variable. Many patients will find it very satisfactory and will have no memory of the procedure. It is important to remember that IVS is not the same as a General Anaesthetic. A few patients may not have satisfactory responses and may remember the procedure.

Yes. You must remain under observation in the day care ward for 1-2 hours after the procedure. You may not drive or go home unaccompanied. There is a small risk of allergic reaction to the medication. The risks of infection associated with the procedure itself, are slightly increased.

The risks of the procedures include; the risks of sedation; the possibility of perforation of the colon; bleeding and the possibility of something being missed. These complications are estimated to occur in less than 1:1000 cases. If a perforation occurs you would require admission to hospital, antibiotics and possible surgical repair. Bleeding might necessitate admission, blood transfusion and intervention including further endoscopy, X ray procedures or surgery.  CT Colograph is an alternative procedure. It is less accurate and cannot sample tissue or permit endoscopic therapy (treatment) of certain conditions such as the removal of polyps. There are a significant doses of radiation associated with these studies.In general  it is preferred for patients who have a lot of medical problems or are very nervous about having an endoscopic procedure or are unable to be sedated.

CT Colograph is an alternative procedure. It is less accurate and cannot sample tissue or permit endoscopic therapy (treatment) of certain conditions such as the removal of polyps. There are a significant doses of radiation associated with these studies.In general  it is preferred for patients who have a lot of medical problems or are very nervous about having an endoscopic procedure or are unable to be sedated.

H. pylori is very common, especially in developing countries. The bacteria are present in (colonize) the stomachs and intestines of as many as 50% of the world’s population. Most of those affected will never have any symptoms, but the presence of H. pylori increases the risk of developing ulcers (peptic ulcer disease), chronic gastritis, and gastric (stomach) cancer. The bacteria decrease the stomach’s ability to produce mucus, making the stomach prone to acid damage and peptic ulcers.

There are several different types of H. pylori testing that can be performed. Some are less invasive than others.

Noninvasive

• Stool antigen test – detection of H. pylori in a stool sample
• Urea breath test – detection of labeled carbon dioxide in the breath after drinking a solution

Recommendations for these tests come from published guidelines by the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA), the American College of Gastroenterologists (ACG), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) / the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

An antibody test using a blood sample is not recommended for routine diagnosis or for evaluation of treatment effectiveness. This test detects antibodies to the bacteria and will not distinguish between a present and previous infection. If the antibody test is negative, then it is unlikely that a person has had an H. pylori infection. If ordered and positive, results should be confirmed using a stool antigen or breath test.

Invasive

Invasive tests using an endoscopy procedure are less frequently performed than noninvasive tests because they require a tissue biopsy collection. Tests include:

• Histology – examination of tissue under a microscope
• Rapid urease testing – detects urease, an enzyme produced by H. pylori
• Culture – growing H. pylori in/on a nutrient solution

The sample collected depends on the test ordered. For the urea breath test, a breath sample is collected and then the person is given a liquid to drink. Another breath sample is collected at a timed interval. For the stool antigen test, a stool sample is collected in a clean container.

A more invasive test will require a procedure called an endoscopy, which involves putting a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end down the throat into the stomach. This allows for visualization of the stomach lining as well as the ability to take a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) from the lining for examination.

For the breath test, you may be instructed to refrain from taking certain medications:

• Four weeks before the test, do not take any antibiotics or oral bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol®).
• Two weeks before the test, do not take any prescription or over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, or esomeprazole.
• One hour before the test, do not eat or drink anything (including water).

If submitting a stool sample or having a tissue biopsy collected, it may be necessary to refrain from taking any antibiotics, antacids, or bismuth treatments for 14 days prior to the test.

If undergoing endoscopy, fasting after midnight on the night prior to the procedure may be required.