Can You Resume Normal Activity After A Colonoscopy?

Can You Resume Normal Activity After A Colonoscopy?

The colonoscopy procedure is simple and helps a doctor to examine for the presence of colorectal diseases. After completion of the procedure, the patient experiences grogginess because of the sedative and abdominal discomfort due to the insertion of the colonoscope. Such instances pass within 24 hours, and the individual can get back to normal activity. However, a few patients may experience specific complications. In such cases, they have to consult the doctor and seek a remedy that helps in overcoming the post-colonoscopy effects.

Can You Resume Normal Activity After A Colonoscopy?

Grogginess

Grogginess is common for a patient who underwent a colonoscopy. The reason is that of the sedative used by the doctor. Therefore, doctors recommend the patient to arrive at the test facility with a companion, who will help arrange a ride back home. Also, the patient should rest for a complete day and avoid operating machines. Even if the patient feels healthy and conscious, the sedative can overtake at any point during the day and can impact the decision ability, making it dangerous to oneself and others.

Discomfort and Cramps

As the doctor inserts the colonoscope through the rectum, a patient experiences cramps and pain. Also, the colonoscope is further capable of blowing air, which helps the examiner to get a clear picture of the passage. Due to this, the patient feels bloated. Although, it causes severe discomfort, it does not remain for an extended period of time. The feeling of bloatedness often disappears within 24 hours. If the patient suffers from the same even after a day, it is preferable to consult the doctor and seek medical attention.

Diet and Exercises

There are no restrictions to the patient when it comes to diet. However, those who are already on a diet chart can continue with the same after completion of the test. One should keep away from strenuous activity after completion of the examination. One should restrain from participating in a heavy exercising activity for at least a day. It is feasible to consult a doctor before engaging in regular exercises. It holds good for patients were suffering from any underlying illnesses or aged above 50 years.

Certain Complications

While many individuals come out of the colonoscopy test successfully, a few may experience complications. Complications include minimal bleeding, which is easy to control. It is common for the flexible tube that enters the rectum to cause a rupture in the colon tissue, which leads to the bleeding. Although such occurrence is rare, doctors ensure that they offer necessary treatment to prevent the bleeding. Patients suffering from allergies to specific medicines can suffer from adverse reactions to the sedation. Therefore, it is favorable to speak with the physician related to the allergies before undergoing the colonoscopy test. It is quite common for patients to suffer from irritation at the point where the doctor injects the intravenous line.

Getting On With Normal Life

The results are available immediately after completion of the examination. The doctor or the health care provider will discuss the test results in detail. If there are no irregularities, one does not need any additional appointment. The next screening takes place after a decade. However, if there are any irregularities, the patient requires scheduling a new appointment for further investigation.

The doctor recommends taking a day’s rest before proceeding with normal life. It is because of the use of sedation, which causes drowsiness. The only restriction that the patient receives is to avoid driving and operation of heavy machines until complete recovery.

Conclusion

Colonoscopy is an accurate test, which helps in identifying colon cancer. The test requires an individual to spend about 30 minutes. Nonetheless, the preparation requires at least a week. However, after completion of the test, the patient needs a family member or friend to drive back home safely. The sedation used makes it difficult for the patient to take firm decisions. A day’s rest is all one requires before getting back to the normal life.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:April 17, 2018

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