Colonoscopy (1)

Our colon has a great workload every day – digesting, absorbing and eliminating the food we eat. To maintain a healthy gut, a balanced diet and regular colonoscopy work hand in hand.

Do I need a colonoscopy?

Colon cancer is the second cancer killer in Hong Kong. If you are over 50, or with any problems as stated below, please seek advice from your doctor if you need a colonoscopy.

1. Changes in fecal habits (constant diarrhea / constipation)
2. Feaces with blood or mucus
3. Lumps in the abdomen
4. Continuous abdominal pain
5. Anemia without a known cause
6. Chronic enteritis
7. Family history of colon cancer

What is colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a kind of endoscopy which aims at examining the inner wall of the colon. Colonoscopy is made of a very fine optic fiber with a camera at the tip, which sends images of the intestine to a television screen, so doctors can understand the conditions of the patient’s intestine.
Points to note before the examination

• Clear the bowel to remove any fecal substances before the examination. Doctors would prescribe laxatives.
• 3 days before

- Low fiber diet (eg. Rice, noodles, biscuits, winter melon, tofu, fish)
- Avoid high fiber food (eg. Brown rice, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, fatty meat, roasted meat)

• 1 day before:

- Fluid diet only (eg. Tea, clear soup, rice water, glucose or electrolyte drinks)
- Avoid milk, vegetable juice, grapefruit juice

• 6 hours before:

- Sip of water only (no food allowed)
- Before the examination, you will be given a surgical gown, and taking off all the accessories, including any metal substances, contact lens and dentures.


Reference: psclinic.com.hk
The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult Surgery Specialist before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.