Colonoscopy
A sedated examination of the large bowel used to investigate rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhoea, anaemia and to screen for colorectal cancer — with polyp removal performed during the same procedure.
Procedure
What colonoscopy is
Colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine (colon) and the end of the small intestine using a flexible tube with a camera. It allows the endoscopist to inspect the entire lining of the bowel, take biopsies, and remove polyps — which is the reason it is such an important test: it can both find and prevent cancer in the same session.
Most colon cancers develop slowly from polyps over several years. Removing a polyp during colonoscopy interrupts that process. That is why colonoscopy is treated as a screening tool and not only a diagnostic test for people who already have symptoms.
Why it may be advised
- Fresh blood in or on the stool
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Change in bowel habit
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Raised faecal calprotectin
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Polyp surveillance
- Family history screening
Preparation matters more than anything else
The single most common reason a colonoscopy fails to find what it should is inadequate bowel preparation. Residual stool hides polyps and flat lesions. Preparation is therefore not a formality — it is the most important part of the test, and it is entirely under your control.
- Low-fibre diet for the day or two before — no seeds, nuts, whole grains, raw vegetables, fruit skins, pulses or corn.
- Clear liquids only on the day of preparation — water, clear soup, clear juices without pulp, black tea or coffee without milk, oral rehydration solution.
- Bowel-preparation solution as prescribed, usually split between the evening before and the morning of the procedure.
- Avoid red, purple and dark-coloured liquids, which can be mistaken for blood.
- Stop iron tablets about a week before, as instructed — iron makes the stool black and hard to clear.
Our full step-by-step guidance is in the patient education article on colonoscopy preparation. Please follow the written instructions given to you at booking, which take precedence if they differ in any detail.
If the preparation has not worked
If your bowel movements are not running clear by the time you are due to arrive, tell us before the procedure rather than after. It is usually far better to adjust the preparation and reschedule than to proceed with a suboptimal view and risk missing something important.
During the procedure
Colonoscopy is performed under sedation, so most patients are comfortable and remember little of it. A typical diagnostic colonoscopy takes 20–40 minutes; longer if polyps are removed. Air or carbon dioxide is used to gently distend the bowel so the lining can be seen — this is what causes the bloating sensation afterwards. Photographs are taken and recorded. Biopsies and polypectomy are painless.
After the procedure
- You rest in the recovery area until the sedation wears off and you have passed the residual gas.
- Bloating, mild cramping and passing wind are normal and settle within a few hours.
- You receive a written report explaining what was seen and what was done; biopsy results take a few days.
- Because of sedation, you must not drive for about 24 hours.
- If polyps were removed, you may be advised to avoid heavy lifting or travel for a short period, and a follow-up interval will be recommended.
Risks
- Bloating and abdominal cramping — common and temporary.
- Bleeding after polypectomy — usually minor, occasionally delayed by several days.
- Perforation of the bowel — uncommon, and higher when large polyps are removed.
- Incomplete examination if preparation or anatomy prevents full passage.
- Missed lesion — reduced by good preparation and careful withdrawal technique, but not eliminated entirely.
The endoscopist will discuss the risks that apply to your situation, and specifically whether the likelihood of any complication is higher because of the size of a polyp or other factors found during the procedure.
Book a colonoscopy
Requests are answered by the hospital team. A request is not a confirmed appointment until we contact you.
Questions patients ask
Colonoscopy in Aurangabad
The questions patients most often ask about colonoscopy and its preparation.
Is bowel preparation really necessary?
Yes, and it is not optional. Colonoscopy can only find what it can see. Residual stool means missed polyps and flat lesions, and a repeat procedure. Most ‘normal’ colonoscopies that later turn out to have missed something were inadequately prepared. Please follow the written instructions exactly, and tell us if the preparation has not cleared your bowel properly.
Will colonoscopy be painful?
Under sedation, most patients are comfortable and remember little. You may feel some pressure or bloating as the bowel is distended with gas, and you may pass wind during the procedure. A minority of patients have a looped colon which makes passage more difficult and can cause cramping; the endoscopist manages this and can adjust the approach.
Why do I have to stop iron tablets?
Iron turns the stool black and makes it much harder to clear, and black stool also makes it harder for the endoscopist to interpret the view. Usually iron is stopped about a week before. Please do not stop any other medicine, particularly heart or blood pressure medicine, unless specifically told to.
Can polyps be removed at the same time?
Usually yes, and this is one of the main benefits of colonoscopy. Small polyps are removed with a snare or forceps during the same procedure. Very large or complex polyps sometimes require a specialised approach, staging over two sessions, or referral. All removed tissue is sent for laboratory examination.
How often do I need a repeat colonoscopy?
It depends entirely on what was found and why the test was done. If nothing was found and you are at average risk, repeat screening may be recommended every several years. If polyps were removed, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease, intervals are shorter and individualised. Your recommended interval will be given to you in writing after the procedure.
Can I have colonoscopy if I have diabetes?
Yes, but diabetes medicines need specific planning because of the required fasting and the bowel-preparation schedule. Insulin doses and some tablets usually need adjustment, and certain diabetes medicines must be stopped in advance for safety. Please tell us at booking that you have diabetes so a plan can be written for you.
Is colonoscopy safe in older patients?
Generally yes, and it is often especially valuable in older patients because the chance of finding a treatable polyp or cancer is higher. The decision takes into account your overall fitness, other medical conditions and current medicines rather than age alone, and the level of sedation is adjusted accordingly.
Book a colonoscopy
You will receive written preparation instructions when your appointment is confirmed. Follow them exactly — preparation determines how much the test can find.