FAQ's

FAQs to Answer Your Basic Queries

FAQs for Colonoscopy

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a flexible colonoscope to examine the colon’s interior. The colonoscope, inserted through the anus, provides real-time images of the colon, allowing physicians to inspect for abnormalities. It includes a channel for instruments, enabling biopsies or other interventions during the examination.

A Colonoscopy may be advised if you have symptoms such as bleeding from the anus, pain in the lower abdomen, persistent diarrhoea, or other symptoms thought to be coming from the colon. The sorts of conditions which can be confirmed include:

  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Diverticula
  • Polyps of the colon
  • Cancer of the colon
  • ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography)
  • Endo Sonography (EVS)

Various other conditions may also be detected. Also, a Colonoscopy is often normal. However, a normal result may help to rule out certain possible causes of your symptoms.

During a colonoscopy, you’ll likely receive a sedative to help you relax, but you won’t be fully asleep. You’ll lie on your side as the doctor inserts a flexible tube called a colonoscope into your anus and guides it through your colon.

Air is used to inflate the colon for better visibility, which may cause feelings of bloating or mild discomfort. The doctor can take tissue samples or remove polyps during the procedure.

The entire process usually lasts 15-25 minutes, though you should plan for about an hour, including preparation and recovery. It’s generally painless but may feel slightly uncomfortable.

Instructions from the doctor or clinic staff should be obtained before your test. Common instructions include:

  • The colon must be empty to ensure a clear view for the doctor.
  • Guidance will be provided on the type of food and diet to follow the day before the test.

You will also receive instructions regarding the laxative solution to prepare your bowels for the test. It is essential to follow these instructions carefully.

  1. Staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of water or electrolyte solutions is important to avoid dehydration due to frequent passage of loose stools during the procedure.
  2. Arrangements should be made for someone to accompany you home, as the sedative will cause drowsiness.
  3. If you have a history of heart attack, stroke, or TIA, consult with your physician prior to the gastroscopy, and inform the doctor of your medical history and current medications. The doctor will advise which medications are allowed before the procedure and which are not.
  4. It is recommended to wear comfortable, non-tight clothing and no jewellery.
  1. Most people can go home after resting for about 30 minutes, though longer observation may be required if polyps were removed. 
  2. If sedatives were used, you may feel relaxed but must avoid driving, operating machinery, or drinking alcohol for 24 hours. Ensure someone accompanies you home and stays with you for a few hours.
  3. Expect one or two loose stools, post-procedure due to the laxative’s effects. If scheduled in the morning, you can resume normal activities by late afternoon or evening. 
  4. The doctor will provide your report, including images or video, and biopsy results may take a few days. 
  5. If sedated, bring someone to remember any details shared by the doctor, as you may not recall them.

Most colonoscopies are done without any problem. The sedative may cause you to feel tired or sleepy for several hours afterwards.

You may pass a small amount of blood from your anus if a biopsy was taken, or if a polyp was removed.

Occasionally, the colonoscope may cause damage to the colon. This may cause bleeding, infection and, rarely, perforation. If any of the following occur within 48 hours after a Colonoscopy, consult a doctor immediately:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Fever
  • Passing a lot of blood from your anus.
  • Rarely, some people have an allergic reaction to the sedative Serious complications are rare in most people who are otherwise reasonably healthy.

FAQs for Gastroscopy

What is Gastroscopy?
  • Gastroscopy is a test where your doctor looks into the upper part of your gut (the upper gastrointestinal tract). The upper gut consists of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor uses an endoscope to look inside your gut. Therefore, the test is sometimes called endoscopy.
  • An endoscope is a thin, flexible, telescope. It is about as thick as a little finger. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, into the oesophagus and down towards the stomach and duodenum.
  • The tip of the endoscope contains a light and a tiny video camera so the doctor can see inside your gut. Images and videos seen on the screen can be recorded on a computer using special software, which helps the doctor prepare your report.
  • The endoscope also has a ‘side channel’ down which various instruments can pass. These can be manipulated by the doctor. For example, the doctor may take a small sample (biopsy) from the inside lining of the stomach by using a thin ‘grabbing’ instrument called a forceps, which is passed down a side channel

A gastroscopy may be advised if you have symptoms such as recurring indigestion, recurring heartburn, pains in the upper abdomen, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms thought to be coming from the upper gut. The sort of conditions which can be confirmed (or ruled out) include:

  • Oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus).
  • Duodenal and stomach ulcers. Duodenitis and gastritis (inflammation of the duodenum and stomach).
  • Cancer of the stomach and oesophagus.
  • Various other rare conditions.
  • Gastroscopy is an outpatient procedure, usually taking about 3-4 minutes, but allow at least 30 minutes for preparation and recovery.
  • Local anaesthetic spray or solution is used to numb the throat, and a sedative may be administered to relax the patient.
  • The patient lies on their side and uses a plastic mouth guard to protect teeth while the endoscope is gently pushed into the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
  • A video camera at the tip of the endoscope sends images to a screen for the doctor to examine.
  • Air is passed into the stomach to expand it for better visibility, which may cause fullness or belching.
  • Biopsies may be taken painlessly using the endoscope, and samples are sent for laboratory testing.
  • The procedure is generally painless but may feel slightly uncomfortable, especially when swallowing the endoscope.

You should get instructions from the clinic before your test. Instructions given commonly include:

  • You should not eat for 4-6 hours before the test.
  • In case of an early morning appointment, it is advisable not to have anything after midnight. The stomach needs to be empty. (Small sips of water may be allowed up to two hours before the test.)
  • If you have a sedative you will need somebody to accompany you home.
  • If you have a history of heart attack, stroke or TIA, consult with your physician prior to having the gastroscopy, and let the doctor know of your previous medical history and the medications you are presently taking. The doctor will instruct you on which medications are allowed prior to the procedure, and which are not.
  • Most people are ready to go home after resting for 15-20 min. You may return to your normal diet immediately once the effect of the local anaesthetic to your throat has worn off. In case any additional procedure has been performed to treat an internal condition during gastroscopy, the doctor will instruct you accordingly.
  • If you have had a sedative – you may take a bit longer to be ready to go home. The sedative will normally make you feel quite pleasant and relaxed. However, you should not drive or operate machinery on the day the test has been performed under sedation. Most people are able to resume normal activities after few hours.
  • The doctor will prepare the report and hand it over to you immediately after the test, and you can discuss the findings and any additional medications that you need to take depending on what the gastroscopy findings are. The result from any biopsy will generally take a few days.
  • Gastroscopy is an excellent test for seeing abnormalities in the upper gut. However, it is not foolproof. For example, gastroscopy may not detect a small number of cases of early ulcers or early cancer.
  • Small abnormalities of the inner lining of your gut may be missed if there is food residue inside the stomach; so fasting for the prescribed time of 4-5 hours is essential for a complete and thorough exmaination.
  • Sometimes a repeat gastroscopy may be advised if symptoms persist or get worse, even if a previous gastroscopy was reported as normal.

Most gastroscopies are done without any problem. Some people have a mild sore throat for a day or so afterwards. You may feel tired or sleepy for several hours if you have a sedative.

Occasionally, the endoscope causes some damage to the gut. This may cause bleeding, infection, and rarely, perforation. If any of the following occur within 48 hours after a gastroscopy, consult a doctor immediately:

  • Abdominal pain. In particular, if it becomes gradually worse, and is different or more intense to any ‘usual’ indigestion pains or heartburn that you may have.
  • Fever
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Vomiting blood

Rarely, some people have an allergic reaction to the sedative. Serious complications are rare in most people who are otherwise reasonably healthy.

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