Colonoscopy (Large Bowel Endoscopy)

Did you know?

Ten questions and answers about colonoscopy.

• Did you know that colonoscopy both diagnoses and treats?

  The unique advantage of colonoscopy is that during the examination the doctor can not only identify polyps that signal a precancerous condition but also remove them straight away. This means that a single procedure can prevent malignant changes from developing, so the examination is not just a diagnostic step but an active, life-saving intervention.

• Did you know that modern carbon dioxide insufflation (CO₂) makes you more comfortable after the procedure?

  The room air used in conventional endoscopic examinations is absorbed more slowly by the body, which can cause bloating and abdominal tightness after the procedure. The innovative CO₂ technology used at Endomedix works because carbon dioxide is absorbed through the bowel wall up to a hundred times faster than air. As a result, our patients are free of discomfort almost immediately after the examination.

• Did you know that iron deficiency anaemia often has a cause in the bowel?

  Many people do not know that constant tiredness, dizziness or low iron levels in lab results may be caused by bleeding from the bowel that is invisible to the naked eye. Colonoscopy is an essential tool for finding the cause of iron deficiency, as it can pinpoint the source, such as inflammation, an ulcer or a polyp.

• Did you know that screening is recommended over the age of 50 even if you have no symptoms?

  Colorectal cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms for years while it develops silently in the body. According to international recommendations, everyone over the age of 50 should have at least one screening colonoscopy, whether or not they have any complaints. If there is a family history of the disease, it is worth starting screening even earlier.

• Did you know that the anaesthesia used during colonoscopy is completely safe?

  Many people are afraid of anaesthesia, but modern medicine and our experienced anaesthesia team make the process safe. Intravenous anaesthetics can be dosed precisely, so you are deeply asleep during the examination and fully alert again within minutes of waking up.

• Did you know that removing colon polyps is a completely painless process?

  Although the examination itself can sometimes cause a feeling of tightness, the inner lining of the bowel has no pain receptors. This allows the doctor to remove polyps or take a tissue sample (biopsy) safely during the endoscopy, even without pain relief. So you feel nothing at all while the specialist carries out these life-saving procedures.

• Did you know that your diet before the examination fundamentally determines the success of the diagnosis?

  The accuracy of a colonoscopy depends largely on how clean the bowel wall is at the time of the procedure. The special three-day liquid diet and modern laxatives are designed to make the mucosa perfectly visible to the camera. In a properly cleaned bowel, the doctor can spot even millimetre-sized, flat changes that could otherwise remain hidden.

• Did you know that a genetic predisposition can significantly increase the risk of bowel disease?

  Research shows that people with a family history of colorectal cancer or severe polyposis – especially in first-degree relatives – are statistically more likely to develop the disease. In such cases, screening is recommended from the age of 40, or ten years before the age at which the affected relative was diagnosed. A genetic predisposition does not mean the disease is inevitable; it simply calls for more frequent check-ups.

• Did you know that you can return to your normal diet almost immediately after a colonoscopy?

  Many people worry about a long recovery after the examination, but recovery after a colonoscopy is extremely quick. If no major procedure was performed, patients can eat and drink after a short rest once the examination is over. We recommend that your first meal is easy to digest, but you do not need to follow a strict diet for weeks.

• Did you know that chronic bloating and gas may be caused by a narrowing of the bowel?

  Although bloating is often put down to food intolerance, persistent, recurring abdominal tightness and difficulty passing wind can also point to a mechanical obstruction in the bowel. During colonoscopy, our doctors can check whether an inflammatory narrowing or other change is blocking the free passage of the bowel contents. Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, the unpleasant symptom can be relieved with targeted treatment.