Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – How It Is Different From Colonoscopy

What is Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test at that permits your doctor to seem throughout the rectum and lower a part of your bowel using a slender, flexible, tube-like telescope called a sigmoidoscope. This is thoroughly inserted into your back passage.

The test can assist to find out what’s causing symptoms equivalent to adjustments in bowel dependency or rectal ache. It is regularly used to test for inflammation, early indicators of most cancers and polyps. During the process, your physician may take one or more biopsies (samples of tissue) for examination in a laboratory. If essential, it’s possible to remove polyps and deal with haemorrhoids during the process. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is routinely done as an out-patient process. Your physician will give an explanation for the advantages and dangers of having a sigmoidoscopy, and can talk about possible choices to the procedure. Depending on your symptoms, choices may include:

• Barium enema
• Colonoscopy
• Virtual colonoscopy

How this test is different from colonoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy permits the doctor to peer simplest the sigmoid colon, while colonoscopy lets in the physician to see the entire colon. Colonoscopy is the most popular screening approach for cancers of the colon and rectum; on the other hand, to organize for and carry out a flexible sigmoidoscopy usually requires less time.

How to organize for a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy:

To prepare for a Flexible sigmoidoscopy, a number of enemas are performed approximately 2 hours before the procedure to take away all solids from the sigmoid colon. An Enema is carried out via flushing water, laxative, or every now and then a mild cleaning soap solution into the anus the usage of a special wash bottle.
In some cases, all of the gastrointestinal tract should be emptied through following a transparent liquid nutrition for 1 to 3 days prior to the procedure—very similar to the preparation for colonoscopy. Sufferers should not drink beverages containing red or pink dye. Liquids include:

• Sports drinks
• Water
• Plain tea or coffee
• Gelatin
• Strained fruit juice
• fat-free bouillon or broth

Patients must inform their doctor of all scientific conditions and any medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements taken steadily, that include:

• Blood thinners
• Vitamins that contain iron
• Diabetes medications
• Aspirin and
• Arthritis medications

How Is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy carried out?

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is performed by way of a doctor skilled in the process and usually lasts from 10 minutes to 20 minutes. Sedation is not required. Your doctor may have you lie to your left facet, with your knees drawn up. The sigmoidoscope is inserted during the rectum and passes slowly into the sigmoid colon. A small quantity of air is used to enlarge the colon so the doctor can see the colon walls. You might really feel gentle cramping all through the procedure. You’ll be able to cut back the cramping via taking a couple of slow, deep breaths all the way through the procedure. When the doctor has completed, the sigmoidoscope is slowly withdrawn at the same time as the liner of your bowel is carefully examined.

After a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy:

After the process your doctor will discuss the result of your Flexible sigmoidoscopy with you. You might truly really feel a few cramping or a sensation of getting gasoline, however this steadily passes in short. You would possibly resume your normal diet and actions. If growths or polyps are discovered during the process, a biopsy (removal of tissue) of the polyp, or polyps, is also taken, or you will be recommended to have a complete colon examination, by way of colonoscopy with polyp removing. Puncture of the colon is a major — even supposing rare — conceivable hassle of sigmoidoscopy. Call your doctor immediately, if you are experiencing any of the following:
a) Heavy rectal bleeding
b) Fever and chills and
c) Severe abdominal pain

Advantages of flexible sigmoidoscopy:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy lets in direct visualization of the lining of the last portion of the colon.
•  It is a quicker process than colonoscopy, usually lasting between five to 15 mins.
•  It does now not require sedation and the person can return to work soon after the procedure.

Complications of flexible sigmoidoscopy:

• Discomfort right through the procedure
•  Bloating and abdominal cramps following the procedure
•  Bleeding following the procedure, that’s on a regular basis minor
• Perforation of the bowel. This critical trouble is frequently infrequently observed with the procedure.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is an often carried out and normally safe process. For most of the folks, the advantages in relation to having a clear analysis are much greater than any hazards. Alternatively, all medical techniques lift a component to possibility.

Colonoscopy Preparation,Procedure And Recovery

Colonoscopy is a procedure that enables in examiner ordinarily a gastroenterologist to assess within the colon digestive organ or large bowel. The colonoscopy is four foot long, supple tube about the thickness of a finger with a Polaroid and a wellspring of light at its tip. The tip of the colonoscopy is inserted into the anus and then is advanced slowly, under optical control, into the rectum and through the colon usually as far as far as that the cecum, which is the first part of the colon.

The colonoscopy is a tinny, flexible tube that goes from 48 in. (122 cm) to 72 in. (183 cm).  A minor video camera is connected to the colonoscopy so that your doctor can take pictures or video of the digestive organ (colon). The colonoscopy can be used to look at the entire colon and the more level part of the small digestive system. A test called Sigmoidoscopy shows just the rectum and the lower part of the colon.

How to get ready for Colonoscopy:
Doctor generally provides written instructions about how to prepare for colonoscopy. The process is called bowel preparation. Usually, all solids must be exhausted form the gastrointestinal tract by taking after a clear liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before the procedure. Patients should not drink beverages containing red or purple color. Adequate liquids include.

1.    Strained tree grown foods juice
2.    Water
3.    Plain espresso
4.    Plain tea
5.    Sports beverages

Before colonoscopy laxative or enema might be required in the night. Laxative is a medicine that release stool and increase bowel movements, generally laxatives are swallowed in pill form or as a powder dissolved in water. Enema is performed by flushing water, or sometimes a minor soap clarification, into the anus using a special wash bottle.

Patients might as well advise the doctor of all medical conditions and any medications, vitamins, or supplements taken customarily, including.

1)    Aspirin
2)    Arthritis solutions
3)    Blood thinners
4)    Diabetes solutions
5)    Vitamins that hold iron

Driving is not allowed for 24 hours after colonoscopy to permit the soothing opportunity to wear off. Soon after the arrangement, patients might as well make gets ready.

How is colonoscopy performed:
During Colonoscopy, patients lie on their left side on an examination table. In most cases, a light soothing, and possibly pain treatment, helps keeps patients loose. Deeper sedation might be required in few cases. The doctor and medicinal staff monitor vital signs and attempt to make patients as comfortable as possible.

Doctor inserts a long, flexible, lighted tube called colonoscopy, or scope, into the anal and slowly guides it’s through the rectum and into the colon. The extension expands the digestive organ with carbon dioxide gas to give the doctor a better view. A small camera mounted on the degree transmits a video image from inside the large intestine to a computer screen, permitting the specialist to precisely look at the intestinal lining. The doctor might ask the patient to move periodically so the scope can be adjusted for better viewing.

Once the scope has arrived at the opening to the small digestive tract, it is slowly withdrawn and the lining of the large intestine is carefully examined again. Bleeding and cut of the digestive organ are possible to uncommon complications of colonoscopy.

Removal of Polyps and Biopsy:

A doctor can remove growths, known as polyps, during colonoscopy and later test them in a laboratory for signs of cancer. Polyps are common in adults are usually harmless yet, most colorectal cancer starts in  polyp, so removing polyps early is an effective way to prevent cancer.

The doctor can take samples from abnormal- looking throughout colonoscopy. The procedure system, called a biopsy. Agrees the doctor to look at the tissue with microscope o indications of disease
The doctor removes polyps and takes biopsy tissue utilizing minor tools passed through the scope. If bleeding happens, the specialist can usually stop it can with an electrical test or special treatment passed through the scope. Tissue removal and the medications to quit bleeding are usually painless.

Recovery of Colonoscopy:
Colonoscopy usually takes 40 to 50 minutes. Cramping or bloating may happen throughout the first hour after the procedure. The soothing required time to completely wear off. Patient may need to stay at the center for 1 to 2 hours after the methodology. Full recuperation is normal by the following day. Discharge instruction should be carefully read and followed.

Patients, who are facing any one of the following side effects they should consult their physician immediately.

Severe abdominal pain
Fever
Bloody bowel movements
Dizziness
Weakness.