Smecta after colonoscopy. Restoring normal bowel function after colonoscopy. Flatulence, bloating

Colonoscopy refers to one of the methods that allows you to examine the inner walls of the intestinal cavity.

Nowadays, this procedure is in demand, as diseases of the rectum and large intestine are increasingly being diagnosed.

Who is the procedure prescribed for? And what should you do if you experience pain after an intestinal colonoscopy?

Description of the procedure and indications

Colonoscopy is one of the main ways to carry out preventive and therapeutic measures related to the digestive system.

This procedure is prescribed only for strict indications, as it can cause adverse consequences.

The main indications include:

presence of chronic constipation;
painful feeling during bowel movements;
the occurrence of periodic pain in the abdominal area;
sudden weight loss for no apparent reason;
lack or decreased appetite;
development of asymmetry of the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity;
the appearance of blood during bowel movements.

Along with this, it is customary to highlight several significant limitations in the form of:

acute infectious diseases in the rectum;
manifestations of Crohn's disease in the acute period;
development of ulcerative colitis of a nonspecific form;
ulcerative or ischemic colitis in severe form;
the presence of heart or pulmonary failure;
formation of polyps or other formations in the intestinal cavity;
the presence of diseases associated with blood clotting.

If the patient has been prescribed a procedure, then you need to carefully prepare for it. If you follow all the recommendations, the doctor will be able to diagnose the disease with one hundred percent accuracy.

To do this you need:

give up fatty and fried foods, foods that cause increased gas formation in the intestinal cavity and flatulence;
follow a strict slag-free diet;
stop using it twelve hours before the procedure;
perform a bowel cleansing procedure the night before and in the morning of the same day using an enema or laxative;
carry out tests to detect allergies to anesthesia.

After such preparatory measures, you can begin the procedure.

Adverse effects after the procedure

Serious consequences of colonoscopy in people are not common, since this method is considered one of the safest. But in five percent of cases this phenomenon is still observed.

The most common complication afterward is perforation of the intestinal walls. This disease is characterized by a strong painful feeling in the abdominal area.

The reason for this phenomenon is improper preparation for the procedure or the presence of any formations.

The patient's condition may worsen as feces leak into the abdominal cavity and thereby cause an inflammatory process. When this complication occurs, urgent surgical intervention is required to stitch the resulting hole.

If the complication is detected late enough, the patient has the damaged area removed and formed on the anterior wall of the anus. This will allow you to remove feces in a non-natural way.

There are other complications after colonoscopy such as:

impairment of the respiratory system due to improperly selected anesthesia;
development of intestinal bleeding. Occurs extremely rarely. Blood from the procedure may appear immediately after the colonoscopy is completed or after a few days. If a complication occurs during the examination, the patient is urgently administered drugs based on adrenaline;
infection with viral hepatitis B or C, syphilis or HIV infection. This type of complication occurs due to poor sterilization of instruments or its absence;
pain after the procedure when polyps or other formations in the intestine are affected;
rupture of the spleen.

In addition to serious pathological processes, unwanted side effects also appear in the form of:

bloating due to the melting of the intestinal walls with the help of air. Usually the remaining oxygen is removed using an endoscope. But if the doctor forgot to do this procedure, then after a while the air will come out naturally;
painful sensations due to carelessly inserted device. If the patient has no restrictions on taking painkillers, then he can take Analgin, Aspirin or Paracetamol. If pain occurs in the anal area, then local preparations in the form of gels and ointments can be used;
loose stool. This type of complication occurs due to taking laxatives before the procedure. Usually this process goes away on its own. But you can recover with the help of drugs that contain beneficial bacteria;
pain in the intestinal area after removal of polyps;
temperature rise.

If a patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy, the consequences can be avoided by contacting qualified specialists.

Diet after the procedure

Not all patients follow the doctor’s recommendations after a colonoscopy. And they do it in vain. Intestinal restoration after colonoscopy directly depends on adherence to a special diet.

In the first seven days after the procedure, the diet should include only light foods. They should be absorbed well and quickly, and at the same time contain a large amount of minerals. This process will avoid infection and spread of the inflammatory process to nearby organs.

The patient can eat boiled eggs, vegetable broths, heat-treated vegetables and fruits, steamed or boiled fish.

Recovery after colonoscopy completely eliminates the consumption of fatty and fried foods. The stomach and intestines are in a relaxed state, and therefore it will be difficult to digest such food. If they are not digested, the process of fermentation and rotting will begin, which will lead to inflammation.

It is also prohibited to eat sausages and delicacies, canned food and smoked foods, sweets and flour. Whole grain porridges are not the best option.

If your stomach hurts after a colonoscopy, what should the patient do? If the discomfort is mild, then it is enough to take an antispasmodic in the form of No-Shpa or Drotaverine.

If there is aching and prolonged pain with an increase in temperature, you must urgently consult a specialist. If it grows and becomes acute, then surgical intervention may be required.

After a colonoscopy, the patient is not recommended to immediately leave the hospital. The patient should be under the supervision of doctors for thirty to forty minutes. This is especially true for those people who underwent the procedure using general anesthesia.

If you used a local painkiller, you can go home straight away.

The stool returns to normal in two to three days. If a patient has constipation, then it needs to be restored by consuming kefir, vegetables and fruits in large quantities.

If the diet does not help, then you can resort to taking medications in the form of:

Dufalaka. Its effect is aimed at enhancing peristalsis of the intestinal cavity. The dosage is twenty milliliters while eating food in the morning.
Forlaxa. The effect of the medication is aimed at restoring peristalsis. You need to take one sachet once a day.

For prolonged diarrhea, the patient can take medications in the form of:

Smecty. You need to take one sachet up to three times a day. The effect of the drug is aimed at restoring the mucous membrane of the large intestine.
Loperamide. The dosage per day should not exceed forty milligrams. Its effect is aimed at slowing down the passage of feces through the intestinal cavity. Through this process, fluid is absorbed and feces are formed.
The dosage is forty drops up to three times a day. Its effect is aimed at restoring the intestinal microflora.

If the general condition of the body is impaired, it is also important to eat at least in small quantities. The thing is that the patient is weakened after the procedure, so he needs nutrients. If he refuses to eat, the body will not be able to fully recover.

To restore general condition, they often use:

physiological solutions. They are administered intravenously and eliminate intoxication;
rheosorbilact. It contains minerals;
vitamins B and C. Their effect is aimed at maintaining immune function, the functioning of the nervous and muscular systems.

If you experience bleeding from the rectum, you should immediately consult a specialist. If timely assistance is not provided, the patient may develop anemia or iron deficiency.

To stop bleeding, medications are prescribed in the form of Vikasol and Aminocaproic acid. Also, isotonic solutions, vitamin K and blood clotting drugs are introduced into the body. If intoxication and severe blood loss are observed, the patient is given a transfusion of plasma and some blood components.

In most cases, colonoscopy is well tolerated, and therefore there is no need to worry too much about complications.

An unfavorable consequence can develop if you are poorly prepared for the procedure. There are also restrictions, so a preliminary examination must be carried out.

Many patients often have stomach pain after a colonoscopy, what should you do in this case? First of all, it is necessary to note what a colonoscopy is and why it is performed. Many diseases of the large intestine cannot be diagnosed timely and accurately using non-invasive methods, so in such cases colonoscopy is used. This is an invasive method of examining the intestines, thanks to which it is possible to detect tumors and other diseases in a timely manner and begin treatment on time. Currently this method is the most accurate. Using an endoscope with a microcamera inserted into the anus, a specialist can examine the walls of the organ and see all inflammatory processes and other pathological conditions. This procedure is quite painful and unpleasant, but with proper preparation, you can avoid negative consequences in the form of pain and other troubles.

This procedure is to identify the general picture of the patient’s condition, in particular if there are suspicions of serious illness. When preparing for the procedure, you should make a choice in favor of a qualified doctor who takes a responsible approach to the procedure and follows all sanitary and hygienic rules.

Reasons for having a colonoscopy:

lack of appetite and sudden loss of body weight;
frequent severe abdominal pain;
pain during bowel movements;
bleeding during bowel movements;
constipation;
nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

These signs can be the cause of serious illnesses. Therefore, in order to provide qualified and timely assistance, a specialist must make an accurate diagnosis by conducting an endoscopic examination of the intestine. However, when prescribing a procedure, the physiological norms of the individual organism should be taken into account.

Despite the fact that thanks to this method of examination it is possible to find out an accurate diagnosis, take a tissue sample for a biopsy, and see polyps and tumors, colonoscopy has its contraindications and consequences.

Contraindications to the procedure:

hernias;
peritonitis;
severe infectious diseases;
bleeding disorders;
lung diseases;
heart problems.

To avoid unpleasant consequences or complications, it is necessary to properly prepare the patient before the procedure. First, you should identify diseases for which colonoscopy is contraindicated or identify pathologies that may complicate the examination.

The examination procedure will be safer and more painless, and recovery after a colonoscopy will be faster if the patient is aware of the need for proper preparation and possible consequences. Following a small diet, limiting foods that saturate the stomach with gases, and completely emptying the intestines will help make a more accurate diagnosis and minimize the consequences.

One of the serious consequences after this examination is intestinal injury received during the procedure.

Such a complication after intestinal colonoscopy is very rare; in this case, it is necessary to urgently operate on the patient and restore the damaged tissue.

Consequences of colonoscopy:

Complications associated with anesthesia. Each person reacts differently to anesthesia, so such consequences include vomiting, nausea, low blood pressure and others.
Blood after a colonoscopy may indicate organ damage or intestinal bleeding. The appearance of blood some time after the procedure, it can be several days, requires immediate surgical intervention.
Infection with hepatitis B and C virus, syphilis, HIV and others.
Pain after colonoscopy in the abdomen and intestines.
Severe bloating.
Diarrhea after a colonoscopy can be caused by enemas administered in preparation for the examination or laxatives.

Even if the colonoscopy is successful, it is recommended that you spend some time in the hospital under the supervision of medical staff after the procedure, especially if it was performed under general anesthesia. With local anesthesia, it is permissible to leave the clinic no less than an hour after the examination.

Bowel recovery after colonoscopy should be gradual to avoid constipation. There are no restrictions on drinking and eating after the study, but you should not rush and eat excessive amounts of food. Very often, after an intestinal colonoscopy, the intestinal microflora is disturbed, so the stool may change, constipation or diarrhea may occur.

At first, it is advisable for the patient to eat easily digestible and gentle food in small portions. In some cases, a specialist may choose a special diet rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins. Fresh vegetables and fruits, steamed fish, and low-fat soups with vegetable broths are welcome. The first stool after a colonoscopy may appear within a couple of days.

Eating fatty foods, smoked meats, canned food, fried meat and fish deprives a person of the opportunity to go to the toilet for another couple of days and can worsen his condition.

Constipation after a colonoscopy can be avoided if you adhere to proper and balanced nutrition.

To restore damaged intestinal microflora, it is recommended to enrich the diet with fermented milk products and probiotics in soluble form.

After a set of procedures, many patients experience discomfort in the abdomen in the form of bloating and heaviness, and gases. This occurs because the intestines were inflated with air during the examination. Abdominal bloating is relieved using sorbents or a gas tube. Let's take activated carbon in a dosage of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Laxatives and enemas after the procedure are contraindicated without consulting a specialist. and stool disorders are restored with the help of medications such as Smecta, Hilak Fote, Loperamide, Duphalac and others. For aching abdominal pain, analgesics are allowed. For pain around the anus and in the anus, topical anesthetic gels or ointments are prescribed.

If abdominal pain does not go away for a long time, the lower abdomen hurts severely, the body temperature rises, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea appear, and blood appears in the stool, then you should immediately consult a doctor. If possible, it is necessary to contact the exact clinic where the examination was done. You shouldn’t let everything take its course, health and life depend on it. Complications after colonoscopy need to be treated.

The method of endoscopic examination of the large intestine using a fibrocolonoscope is called colonoscopy. The basis of endoscopic diagnosis is the use of an optical system equipped with a camera and a light source. This procedure has many advantages, but it is also possible consequences. After colonoscopy the patient may experience a feeling of fullness of gases and lack of stool for several days, but they pass on their own.

In our medical center in Moscow, the procedure is carried out quickly and painlessly. The technique allows our doctors to examine the mucous membrane in detail, remove biomaterial, administer medications and eliminate the tumor if necessary. Modern equipment allows colonoscopy to be performed without pain, and a person quickly recovers from it.

What are the purposes of a colonoscopy?

Thanks to the procedure, doctors are able to diagnose most intestinal diseases: polyps, neoplasms of malignant origin, Crohn's and Hirschsprung's diseases, colitis, ulcers. The procedure is indicated for:

Painful discharge of blood, pus and mucus from the anus;
Assumptions about the presence of a tumor;
Inflammation processes;
Pathologies of bowel movement;
Sensation of a foreign body in the intestines. The specialist evaluates the shine, shade of the intestinal mucosa, blood vessels, and the process of inflammation of the walls. Recanalization of the narrowed intestinal lumen and removal of the foreign body also occurs.

Colon examination

Before the procedure begins, the person removes clothing below the waist, takes a sedative and lies on his left side, with his legs pressed to the sternum. The endoscope is inserted into the anus and air is pumped moderately to move the tube forward. Sometimes doctors ask you to turn over to make it easier to pass the colonoscope. While overcoming the bends of the organ, the patient may feel slight discomfort. When a specialist discovers pathological processes during the procedure, he removes the biomaterial for histology. In general, the procedure takes up to twenty-five minutes.

Intestinal colonoscopy

The manipulation is performed using an endoscope with one or two balloons, which makes it possible to detect segmental and focal lesions. The doctor lubricates the anus with anesthetic cream if the patient is hypersensitive to pain. An elastic tube is also inserted into the small intestine, and a lighting device operating on a xenon lamp eliminates the possibility of burns.

What to expect during the procedure?

The manipulation does not cause pronounced pain, but the patient may experience a feeling of slight discomfort when air is supplied and the intestinal bends are passed through. The sensation does not cause any particular discomfort. If during the procedure a person feels the urge to defecate, this is normal. It is recommended to breathe deeply to suppress this desire. A clear sensation of pain can develop during a destructive process in the large intestine and adhesions, which is why anesthesia is used. Patients are interested in the question of what consequences after colonoscopy can we expect? Basically, the manipulation takes place without consequences, and among the rare phenomena are the feeling of the presence of gases in the peritoneum and the absence of bowel movement for several days.

Colonoscopy under anesthesia

To ensure maximum comfort for the patient and a more relaxed colonoscopy, the specialist and person are given general anesthesia. Thanks to the fact that the most modern drugs are used today, the patient awakens easily, without nausea or dizziness. The high quality of drugs used by clinics minimizes the risk of complications that anesthesia can provoke.

How to prepare for the procedure?

The purpose of preparation is considered to be an unhindered examination of the intestinal mucosa, and for this it is necessary to carefully clear the lumen of feces. The patient must do the following:

Follow a slag-free diet for several days before a colonoscopy, excluding foods enriched with dietary fiber. These foods can cause bloating.

The day before, cleanse the intestines with enemas and laxatives.

Colonoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic study of the mucous membranes (inner walls) of the final sections of the intestine (colon). This procedure involves inserting a special flexible endoscopic probe (colonoscope) into the patient's colon through the anus. The colonoscope itself is a thin flexible tube with a diameter of 1 cm and a length of approximately 1.5 m with a small light bulb and a micro-camera at the end. Used to identify diseases of the colon that cannot be detected by other methods or to confirm the diagnosis when a neoplasm is suspected. This study is highly informative and accurate.

Colonoscopy: indications for:

Differential diagnosis of inflammatory and tumor processes, determining the prevalence and type of pathological changes in the intestine;
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
Crohn's disease;
Rectal bleeding;
Pain in the intestines without an established cause, accompanied by flatulence;
Prolonged diarrhea with the impossibility of making an accurate diagnosis;
Foreign body in the rectum;
Acute intestinal obstruction;
Constipation;
Suspicion of the formation of polyps in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract or tumors;
Endometriosis, ovarian and uterine tumors;
Anemia of unknown origin,
Everyone over 50 should have a colonoscopy, especially if they have a family history of gastrointestinal cancer or Crohn's disease.
Colonoscopy also allows you to perform a number of endoscopic interventions - removal of intraluminal polyps, stopping intestinal bleeding, restoring intestinal patency when pathological narrowings (stenoses) are detected, and removing foreign objects.
During the examination, a video recording, photographs, and biopsy (tissue removal for further examination) are available.

In order to avoid serious consequences and complications after colonoscopy, the examination should be prescribed strictly according to the doctor’s indications and taking into account the degree of risk of all existing contraindications.

The main contraindications for colonoscopy include:

Acute infections of the rectum, as well as acute infections of the body of any location;
Intestinal perforation;
Crohn's disease and nonspecific ulcerative colitis in acute form;
Peritonitis;
Pathologies of the blood coagulation system;
Ulcerative or ischemic colitis in severe form, associated with the risk of bleeding or perforation of the intestinal wall;
Severe chronic heart and pulmonary failure;
Stroke;
Anal fissures, exacerbation of hemorrhoids, paraproctitis, thrombosis of hemorrhoids.
Large hernias;
State of shock.

To prevent complications after a colonoscopy, the patient needs to prepare properly. The patient is carefully examined for concomitant diseases and contraindications that may complicate the procedure and the recovery process after it.

Preparing for intestinal colonoscopy

Before undergoing a colonoscopy, you will need to undergo an important bowel preparation process, which includes the following steps:

Following a special slag-free diet 5-7 days before the procedure;
On the eve of the procedure, patients are advised to drink at least 3.5 liters of water;
Abstaining from food and water in 12 hours before the start of the procedure;
Carrying out a cleansing enema in the evening and morning before the procedure to increase its effectiveness. The volume of the enema must be at least 1.5 liters; it is administered until only clean water begins to come out;
Conducting allergy tests to identify allergies to anesthesia drugs.
In some cases, on the eve of the study, the patient may be offered to take special laxatives, which are selected by the doctor individually for each patient.

If the patient follows these simple recommendations, the risk of undesirable consequences after the procedure is minimal. There is also no need to use painkillers or local anesthesia. In some cases, the so-called "Colonoscopy under anesthesia"- during the procedure, the patient is immersed in a medicinal sleep (therefore, this version of the procedure is also called « colonoscopy in a dream » ), and immediately after it wakes up. Colonoscopy under anesthesia is performed at the request of the patient if he is too afraid of pain, or when a polyp will be removed or a biopsy taken at the same time as the diagnosis.

One of the most common complications is injury to the intestinal walls. Therefore, an effective diagnostic colonoscopy must be performed by an experienced, qualified specialist in compliance with all the rules for conducting this endoscopic procedure and sanitary and hygienic standards to prevent infection.

Diet after intestinal colonoscopy

After completion of the endoscopic examination, the intestines should resume their normal function. Be prepared that this will take several days. The main place in the prevention of unpleasant consequences of colonoscopy is occupied by proper nutrition and diet.

For quick recovery, frequent split meals are required in small portions. Food must be well digested so as not to burden the intestines. Food products should contain many vitamins, minerals and protein, which allow the body to recover faster after the procedure, and also reduce the risk of infectious complications and intestinal bleeding. Overeating is extremely contraindicated. During the invasive intervention, the mucous membrane of the intestinal walls suffered minor damage, so it is worth paying special attention to taking probiotics to restore the intestinal microflora. Consult with your doctor which drug is best for you to use.

Menu after intestinal colonoscopy During the first days, it should include such easily digestible dishes as:

Steamed lean fish (pike perch, hake, pike, cod);
Cottage cheese with a minimum percentage of fat content
Natural yogurt
Kefir and skim milk
Low-fat soups with vegetable broths
Vegetables and fruits

After a colonoscopy you should eliminate from use the following products:

Alcohol:
Grilled meat
Fatty fish
Semi-finished products, sausages, sausages,
Smoked meats and pickles
Fresh pastries, bread and confectionery
Canned food
Whole grain porridge

Possible consequences of colonoscopy

The colonoscopy procedure, while accurate and informative, is minimally painful. But unfortunately, during the recovery period after it, patients experience certain unpleasant sensations to varying degrees:

The most serious consequences are bleeding in the area of the removed polyp and intestinal perforation.

General malaise, weakness after colonoscopy

In the first hours after the procedure, the patient may experience general malaise, weakness, dizziness, abdominal pain, pain when walking and nausea. These sensations arise due to the fact that the painkillers used during colonoscopy or anesthesia stop working. Also, a state of weakness and nausea can occur due to the fact that a person has not eaten for a long time before and after the procedure - the body requires replenishment of energy and new nutrients. Do not forget about the emotional experiences regarding this examination and the subsequent recovery period. Therefore, after the procedure, the patient is recommended to eat in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations and lie on his side in a relaxed state for several hours. As a rule, these uncomfortable sensations go away on their own within a few days. The following prescriptions can help you regain strength quickly after the procedure:

To restore the water-salt composition of the blood and relieve intoxication, physiological solutions are administered
Taking vitamins, especially group B and C - they are necessary to strengthen the immune system and the proper functioning of the nervous and muscular systems.

If you have a fever during the first 24 hours after the examination, then it is possible that some kind of inflammatory process has begun in the intestines, caused by an attached infection. This is a complication in the recovery process after a colonoscopy, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Pain after colonoscopy

The occurrence of pain after colonoscopy is due to the fact that during the procedure the mucous membrane of the colon can be injured by the endoscope itself, as well as stretched under the influence of the introduced air. Therefore, mild pain and discomfort after manipulation can occur in many patients and in itself should not cause concern.

If the pain is pronounced and difficult to bear, then there is a possibility of a complication such as intestinal perforation. The likelihood of such a complication is extremely low and is less than 1%. In this case, in addition to pain, symptoms such as vomiting, persistent rectal bleeding, bloating, or abdominal muscle tension may occur.

If these symptoms worsen, this may indicate peritonitis. In this case, urgent surgical intervention is necessary to restore the colon wall.

Discharge from the rectum after colonoscopy

In some special cases, colonoscopy can provoke bleeding caused by endoscopic biopsy (pinching off a piece of tissue for histological examination) or removal of a polyp using an endoscopic loop, as well as trauma to the intestinal wall up to its perforation.

If the bleeding after endoscopic manipulation is moderate, is not accompanied by pain in the abdomen or anus, and does not cause other discomfort in the form of weakness and dizziness, this is considered normal and will go away on its own after the first two to three days.

But you should seek medical help immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

The appearance of a significant amount of scarlet blood from the anus;
A sharp drop in blood pressure;
Severe pain in the abdominal area
Rapidly increasing weakness, dizziness and loss of consciousness;
My heart begins to pound.

All these signs may indicate bleeding in the colon, caused in extremely rare cases by intestinal perforation or injury to the spleen; more often, the area of the removed polyp bleeds. Only with timely hospitalization is it possible to control these complications.

Also, after a colonoscopy, purulent discharge may appear from the anus - this is evidence that an infection was introduced during the manipulation, and inflammation began in the colon. As a rule, this condition is accompanied by general malaise and increased body temperature. It is not recommended to lower the temperature on your own, so as not to blur the symptoms. You need to seek medical help to establish the true cause of the fever and stop the inflammation process by administering antibacterial therapy.

Flatulence, bloating after colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, the doctor introduces air into the intestines through an endoscope. This is required in order to straighten the intestinal walls and improve visibility, as well as to facilitate insertion of the endoscope into the rectum. After the procedure, this air remains in the intestines for some time, causing discomfort, a feeling of bloating and flatulence.

These undesirable consequences usually go away on their own. If this does not happen for some time, you can take an enterosorbent (for example, 4-5 tablets of activated carbon).

It should be noted that flatulence and bloating practically do not occur after colonoscopy if CO2 carbon dioxide was used instead of air during the procedure. Unfortunately, a special device called an endoscopic CO2 insufflator (UCR) is not available in all clinics.