Virtual Colonoscopy Software Service

What is the colon? The colon, or large bowel, is the last portion of your digestive tract, or gastrointestinal tract.
The colon is a hollow tube that starts at the end of the
small intestine and ends at the rectum and anus. The
colon is about 5 feet long, and its main function is to store
unabsorbed food waste and absorb water and other body
fluids before the waste is eliminated as stool. Preparation You will be given instructions in advance that will explain what you need to do to prepare for your
colonoscopy. Your colon must be completely empty for
the colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. To prepare
for the procedure you will have to follow a liquid diet
for 1 to 3 days beforehand. The
liquid diet should be clear and
not contain food colorings, and
may include: fat-free bouillon or broth
strained fruit juice
water
plain coffee
plain tea
diet soda
gelatin Cleansing of the bowel is neces-
sary before a colonoscopy. You
will likely be asked to take a
laxative the night before the
procedure. In some cases you
may be asked to give yourself
an enema. An enema is per-
formed by inserting a bottle
with water and sometimes a
mild soap in your anus to clean
out the bowels. Inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have or medica-
tions you take on a regular basis such as aspirin, arthritis
medications, blood thinners, diabetes medication, and
vitamins that contain iron. The medical staff will also want to know if you have heart
disease, lung disease, or any medical condition that may
need special attention. You must also arrange for some-
one to take you home afterward, because you will not
be allowed to drive after being sedated. Procedure For the colonoscopy, you will lie on your left side on the examining table. You will be given pain
medication and a moderate sedative to keep you com- fortable and help you relax
during the exam. The doctor
and a nurse will monitor your
vital signs, look for any signs
of discomfort, and make adjust-
ments as needed. The doctor will then insert a
long, flexible, lighted tube into
your rectum and slowly guide
it into your colon. The tube is
called a colonoscope. The scope
transmits an image of the in-
side of the colon onto a video
screen so the doctor can care-
fully examine the lining of the
colon. The scope bends so the
doctor can move it around the
curves of your colon. You may be asked to change
positions at times so the doctor
can more easily move the scope

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