A numerical rating scale of 1-10 was used to assess abdominal pain and bloating. Significant differences indicate that after colonoscopy, left lateral was the optimal position for facilitating passage of flatus and relieving bloating.
You may have a bloated, gaseous feeling in your abdomen after a colonoscopy. Passing gas and belching will help. Walking or lying down on your left side with your knees flexed may relieve the discomfort.
For up to a day after your colonoscopy, you may feel bloated and frequently pass gas to empty the air passed into your colon during your colonoscopy. Walking can help pass the gas out of your body and ease discomfort.
You may feel gas or cramps for a few hours. This is because air was introduced to the colon during the procedure. You should start to expel gas before you leave the hospital. However, if you have abdominal (stomach) pain or swelling, please call our office right away.
Take it easy for the rest of the day after you get home following your colonoscopy. You can shower and do most activities straight away. You can travel if you feel comfortable. While there are no dietary restrictions following a colonoscopy, it's advisable to eat simple, nutritious food in moderation for the first day.
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
Diarrhea and urgency will usually begin 15 minutes to 4 hours after you begin your prep. Take the day off: It is recommended that you take the day off work on the day of your procedure. You should not make any important decisions for the rest of the day following the procedure.
Pain after the procedure: Some people have stomach pain after a colonoscopy. A person may also experience mild irritation to their rectum, gas, or other digestive problems. These symptoms are usually mild and tend to go away in a few days.
Following your procedure
It is not unusual to experience some diarrhoea for a couple of days post procedure until the bowel returns to its normal function. Abdominal pain due to air introduced into your colon during your procedure can be alleviated by hot drinks, moving around and taking peppermints.
The medicine you received during the procedure may stay in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day.
Mild abdominal pain/discomfort immediately after a colonoscopy is not rare, occurring anywhere between 2.5% to 11% of the cases [2]. Though it may have a host of etiologies, it is most commonly a result of air insufflation, endoscope looping, and/or manual pressure maneuvers used during a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy Recovery: After the Procedure
The effects of the sedation could last up to a day, so you should not drive or operate any machinery until the following day. You may feel gassy or bloated for a while after the procedure because of the air that was injected into your intestine during the colonoscopy.
You may pass liquid and/or liquid stool after your colonoscopy but, within one to five days, your bowel movements should return to normal. If you've had a biopsy, it's normal to experience anal bleeding or bloody stool after the procedure. Delayed bleeding may also occur for up to two weeks afterward.
One day after your colonoscopy, you'll finally start to feel more like yourself again. In fact, most patients feel up to returning to normal activities within 24 hours.
After having a colonoscopy, it's normal for bowel movements to be irregular at first. You may notice loose bowels, which can be a side effect of the medication used during the test.
After a colonoscopy, eat foods that are soft and easy to digest to ease side effects such as bloating or gas. This may include eggs, white toast, and applesauce for breakfast.
What if I've taken all my preparation and am still passing solid stool on the day of my exam? In this case, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. You may be prescribed a different preparation for your next procedure. Please call the triage nurse to reschedule your procedure with a different preparation.
Food Choices for You
Here is a list of good foods that you can try: Banana is a type of fruit that has a medium amount of fiber. This amount of fiber can help the bowels move easier after a colonoscopy. Other good foods include cantaloupe and apples.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
Can I shower, eat breakfast, or brush my teeth the morning of my colonoscopy? You may not eat anything the morning of your procedure, but you may continue to drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before your procedure. You may shower and brush your teeth.
After the colonoscopy is completed, you'll move to a recovery area where you'll remain for about 30 to 45 minutes while you fully wake up from your sedation. Nurses will make sure your vital signs are stable and monitor you until the sedation wears off.
Eat yogurt and kefir that is high in probiotics for several days after your colonoscopy. Make sure that the label says that there are billions of live cultures contained. Take a probiotic supplement in the morning on an empty stomach.
The procedure can also help diagnose the cause of symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and rectal bleeding. Although a colonoscopy is not a surgery, it does involve some risks. Some of these risks include bleeding, infection, and perforation of the colon.