A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy that is used to examine the colon and small intestine in order to detect any abnormalities (inflammation, ulcers, etc.). The procedure usually lasts around 15-20 minutes.
It is performed using a thin tube (endoscope) that is inserted through the anus and has a video camera at the end to record the organs and walls it passes through.
A colonoscopy may be performed for various reasons:
Before the test you should follow instructions for cleansing the bowel to make it easier for the doctor to observe it. This will involve drinking only liquids in the 24 hours before the procedure, and taking a solution that will help you empty your bowels.
During the procedure, you will be partially or fully sedated. You will be placed on your side and the doctor will insert the endoscope through the anus to pass through your large intestine.
A colonoscopy is usually well tolerated and is rarely painful. At most, you will feel pressure, swelling, or cramping during the procedure. Less than one per cent of patients will experience serious complications.
If the specialist feels that a more accurate evaluation is necessary, they will obtain a biopsy of the lining of the bowel for analysis.
If polyps are found during the procedure, these can be removed straight away.
There is now an alternative to traditional colonoscopy that is much less invasive and does not require sedation. This is called a virtual colonoscopy, which is an examination that uses images of the inside of the bowel and colon obtained by means of computerised tomography (CT or CAT scan) instead of images taken by the colonoscopy camera.
An endoscopic capsule is a device the size of a pill that contains a camera. It is used to perform examinations of the digestive system and to treat diseases of the small intestine and rectum. The endoscopic capsule is swallowed and thus runs through the digestive system providing images of the whole journey. Thanks to the endoscopic camera's build, it is a good method of recording intestinal transit and detecting any pathology of the small intestine and the colon, in a minimally invasive way. Currently, this technique is used in some medical centres as an alternative to traditional endoscopy.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is used to refer to chronic diseases affecting the intestine. the most common are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
A polypectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure carried out with a colonoscope or hysteroscope to remove polyps in certain parts of the body such as the colon or uterus. Therefore, the most common types of polypectomy are colon polypectomy and uterine polypectomy.
A polypectomy is done to remove polyps, which are abnormal growths that can grow in size, causing problems, bleed or be cancerous. Usually, once a polyp is removed, they will be examined in a laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous or not. However, most polyps are benign (non-cancerous). Polyps in the colon are often found during a colonoscopy, which is offered to people in the UK over the age of 50 to check for early signs of colon (bowel) cancer. If signs of cancer are found, then usually further tissue will need to be removed and other cancer treatments discussed.
Polypectomy by hysteroscopy for uterine polyps are carried out by introducing a hysteroscope through the vagina and the cervix to remove or cut polyps with special surgical instruments.
Colon polyps are usually removed at the same time as a colonoscopy. A colonoscope is a special, thin, flexible tube inserted into the rectum and into the colon. It has a light and camera to show the insides of your colon, allowing the surgeon to introduce special instruments to remove any polyps found. There are two main methods of polyp removal via colonoscopy:
For a colon polypectomy, the bowel must first be cleared. This is done by performing an enema before the test using a special at-home kit. Local anaesthesia is used for uterine and colon polypectomies, and there should be little to no discomfort.
Following a uterine polypectomy, you can return home the same day and it is normal to have some bleeding for 4-5 days, as well as some brown-coloured discharge. You should take 1-2 days off work to rest. Following a colon polypectomy you can return home the same day, and you can expect to experience some bloating and cramps for the first 24 hours. You will need to avoid certain foods, such as spicy food, coffee, tea, alcohol and fizzy drinks. For both types of polypectomy, you should not drive for 24 hours. Once the polyps have been analysed, if cancer is detected your doctor will schedule a follow-up to discuss next steps.
A bloated stomach is when the tummy is stretched and puffy, leaving a person feeling uncomfortable. The most common cause of a bloated stomach is gas and air, as gas builds up in the digestive tract when undigested food gets broken down, or from swallowing too much air when eating too fast. For some people, it can be from overindulging but for others, there could be an underlying medical reason such as a food intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome.
As a bloated stomach is only temporary, it is different from gaining fat mass around the stomach. It is built-up gas in the digestive system that makes the stomach uncomfortable and extends outward. Some people have described it as looking ‘pregnant’. There may be a pain in the abdomen, which should be checked if there are other symptoms occurring in the body.
Other symptoms to check for include:
• Fever
• Hives
• Watery eyes and itchy throat (allergic reaction)
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Blood in the stool
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irregular periods
• Haemorrhoids
A bloated stomach is mostly caused by air becoming stuck around the abdomen and is normally a problem to do with digestion. There are lots of different underlying reasons that could cause a swollen abdomen, including allergies, hormonal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction and in rare cases, cancer. The possible causes include:
• Lactose intolerance
• Acid reflux
• Constipation
• Stomach flu
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Celiac disease
• A hiatal hernia
• Ovarian cyst
• Gallstones
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Stomach cancer
• Crohn’s disease
In many cases of a bloated stomach, lifestyle changes can help diminish or prevent it from recurring. As the main cause of a bloated stomach is gas and air, in order to reduce swallowing too much air you can:
• Avoid chewing gum to stop swallowing extra air
• Avoid fizzy drinks
• Avoid foods known to cause gas such as lentils, beans and vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and sprouts.
• Avoid eating quickly, be mindful of chewing more slowly
• Cut back on dairy products
If lifestyle changes, particularly with the diet, don’t help in relieving or improving a bloated stomach, then the doctor may find a medical cause. The doctor may recommend medical treatment, which depends on the condition and the reason behind the abdominal pain.
Dr John Martin graduated from Girton College, Cambridge and King’s College Hospital, London in 1990 and completed his gastroenterology training within North West London. He is a highly-experienced gastroenterologist based in London and holds an NHS Consultant post at Imperial College (ICL). He is an expert in colorectal cancer screening, therapeutic and diagnostic colonoscopy and has 25 years experience of managing all aspects of gastroenterology including abdominal pain or discomfort, reflux disease, diarrhoea and constipation, rectal bleeding, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Dr Martin teaches colonoscopy both within the NHS Trust and also at national screening centres. He is a bowel cancer screening accredited colonoscopist and an examiner for BCSP colonoscopy accreditation.
Dr Martin is Director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre, is a professional advisor to Public Health England on the quality and safety of Bowel Cancer Screening within London and is a member of the national advisory committee on quality and safety of endoscopy within screening. He forms an integral part of numerous other professional bodies and has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals.
An endoscopic capsule is a device the size of a pill that contains a camera. It is used to perform examinations of the digestive system and to treat diseases of the small intestine and rectum. The endoscopic capsule is swallowed and thus runs through the digestive system providing images of the whole journey. Thanks to the endoscopic camera's build, it is a good method of recording intestinal transit and detecting any pathology of the small intestine and the colon, in a minimally invasive way. Currently, this technique is used in some medical centres as an alternative to traditional endoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy that is used to examine the colon and small intestine in order to detect any abnormalities (inflammation, ulcers, etc.). The procedure usually lasts around 15-20 minutes.
It is performed using a thin tube (endoscope) that is inserted through the anus and has a video camera at the end to record the organs and walls it passes through.
A colonoscopy may be performed for various reasons:
Before the test you should follow instructions for cleansing the bowel to make it easier for the doctor to observe it. This will involve drinking only liquids in the 24 hours before the procedure, and taking a solution that will help you empty your bowels.
During the procedure, you will be partially or fully sedated. You will be placed on your side and the doctor will insert the endoscope through the anus to pass through your large intestine.
A colonoscopy is usually well tolerated and is rarely painful. At most, you will feel pressure, swelling, or cramping during the procedure. Less than one per cent of patients will experience serious complications.
If the specialist feels that a more accurate evaluation is necessary, they will obtain a biopsy of the lining of the bowel for analysis.
If polyps are found during the procedure, these can be removed straight away.
There is now an alternative to traditional colonoscopy that is much less invasive and does not require sedation. This is called a virtual colonoscopy, which is an examination that uses images of the inside of the bowel and colon obtained by means of computerised tomography (CT or CAT scan) instead of images taken by the colonoscopy camera.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is used to refer to chronic diseases affecting the intestine. the most common are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
A polypectomy is a minimally-invasive procedure carried out with a colonoscope or hysteroscope to remove polyps in certain parts of the body such as the colon or uterus. Therefore, the most common types of polypectomy are colon polypectomy and uterine polypectomy.
A polypectomy is done to remove polyps, which are abnormal growths that can grow in size, causing problems, bleed or be cancerous. Usually, once a polyp is removed, they will be examined in a laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous or not. However, most polyps are benign (non-cancerous). Polyps in the colon are often found during a colonoscopy, which is offered to people in the UK over the age of 50 to check for early signs of colon (bowel) cancer. If signs of cancer are found, then usually further tissue will need to be removed and other cancer treatments discussed.
Polypectomy by hysteroscopy for uterine polyps are carried out by introducing a hysteroscope through the vagina and the cervix to remove or cut polyps with special surgical instruments.
Colon polyps are usually removed at the same time as a colonoscopy. A colonoscope is a special, thin, flexible tube inserted into the rectum and into the colon. It has a light and camera to show the insides of your colon, allowing the surgeon to introduce special instruments to remove any polyps found. There are two main methods of polyp removal via colonoscopy:
For a colon polypectomy, the bowel must first be cleared. This is done by performing an enema before the test using a special at-home kit. Local anaesthesia is used for uterine and colon polypectomies, and there should be little to no discomfort.
Following a uterine polypectomy, you can return home the same day and it is normal to have some bleeding for 4-5 days, as well as some brown-coloured discharge. You should take 1-2 days off work to rest. Following a colon polypectomy you can return home the same day, and you can expect to experience some bloating and cramps for the first 24 hours. You will need to avoid certain foods, such as spicy food, coffee, tea, alcohol and fizzy drinks. For both types of polypectomy, you should not drive for 24 hours. Once the polyps have been analysed, if cancer is detected your doctor will schedule a follow-up to discuss next steps.
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Bloating is a common sensation that many of us have experienced. While it's very rare that it's a sign of something serious, it's valuable to know when to see a specialist for advice. Dr John Martin, a gastroenterologist, explains the causes of bloating so that you know when to seek medical help.
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Oesophageal dysmotility is a condition in which the muscles in the oesophageal wall fail to contract as they should. This may result in discomfort and/or difficulty in swallowing. Dr John Martin is an expert in treating dysmotility of the intestine, and here he explains in detail about causes and treatment of dysmotility in the oesophagus.
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Intestinal dysmotility is a common condition that causes a wide range of different symptoms with variable severity. Dr John Martin, a gastroenterologist with expertise in all aspects of gastroenterology, explains what this condition is and the treatment options you may be offered.
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Have you been told that you need a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy allows your doctor to take a look at your colon and rectum to find cancer or polyps. It is a safe examination with very few risks. Dr John Martin tells us a bit more about what to expect after a colonoscopy and what recovery looks like.
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Colonoscopies after the age of 50 become a regular procedure to check inside the colon for abnormalities. Nowadays, a virtual colonoscopy is available to patients and offers a non-invasive and less aggressive alternative to a regular colonoscopy. But what happens during the procedure and can it offer more reliable results? Dr John Martin, a leading gastroenterologist in London, explains what a virtual colonoscopy is and why it might be right for you.
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Polyps are abnormal growths within the colon that vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres. Most of these are not cancerous, but some have the potential to develop into a cancer. Because of this risk, your doctor will very likely recommend that these are removed via a polypectomy. Here gastroenterologist Dr John Martin talks you through all you need to know about polyps and having a polypectomy.
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