What should you know on the day of a colonoscopy?

Bring your appointment information and an up-to-date medicine list. The bowel preparation should produce watery output; if it did not work, you vomited the preparation, or you mistakenly ate or drank outside the permitted times, contact the endoscopy unit before travelling rather than deciding for yourself that the test can proceed.

A clinician checks your health, medicines, allergies, bowel preparation, and consent. Comfort options may include sedation, pain relief, or inhaled gas, depending on the unit and your circumstances. During the examination, a flexible camera passes through the rectum into the large bowel while gas opens the bowel for a clear view.

The endoscopist may take tiny tissue samples or remove polyps. These actions are often not felt separately, although pressure, bloating, and cramping can occur as the camera moves. The team may give an initial explanation afterwards, while laboratory results from samples arrive later.

Take only the medicines the endoscopy team has approved, using the permitted amount of water. Wear comfortable clothing and leave valuables at home. Tell staff about blood-thinning medicines, diabetes treatment, pregnancy, implanted devices, breathing problems, or a previous reaction to sedation.

After the test, wait until staff confirm that you can leave. If sedated, go home with the responsible adult arranged by your unit and avoid driving, alcohol, machinery, legal documents, and important decisions for the period specified in your discharge advice. Start food and fluids as instructed and rest while the sedative wears off.

Mild bloating, cramps, and a small trace of blood can occur, particularly after a biopsy or polyp removal. Contact the endoscopy service urgently for worsening or persistent abdominal pain, fever, repeated vomiting, black stool, increasing bleeding, blood clots, or inability to pass gas with a swollen abdomen. Call emergency services for severe breathlessness, collapse, confusion, or heavy uncontrolled bleeding.

Confirm whether the examination reached the intended part of the bowel, whether polyps or samples were removed, and when the written results will be available. Ask when to restart usual medicines, what eating restrictions apply, who will explain laboratory findings, and which telephone number to use if symptoms develop overnight.