Colonoscopy Comfort: Gas and Air or IV Conscious Sedation?
Bloating & DigestionArticleCompare the options with your team and confirm the discharge arrangements for the medicines you actually receive.
In this article
If your colonoscopy information offers gas and air or conscious sedation, you may be trying to picture what either would feel like. Perhaps a previous procedure was difficult, or arranging help afterward is the part you have not solved. Tell the endoscopy team before the appointment.
Gas and air: inhaled pain relief
South Tees describes Entonox, or gas and air, breathed through a mouthpiece to reduce discomfort. Ask your unit about availability and suitability; a painless procedure is not promised.1
Explain the concern you want addressed rather than simply asking for whichever option a friend had. Ask the team to describe its proposed approach in words you understand. You can bring the question back into the discussion if the explanation is still unclear.
IV conscious sedation: relaxation with awareness
The trust describes IV medicine for relaxation, sometimes with pain relief. Conscious sedation can leave awareness and memories of the test; do not assume you will be asleep.1
If you remember a previous examination as painful or frightening, describe what happened. Ask how the team would address that concern this time. You do not need to minimize the experience to make the conversation easier.
The options can be combined
South Tees says Entonox can accompany IV pain relief and sedation. Confirm collection, supervision and activity restrictions for the medicines actually given, including any change during the procedure. This article does not clear you to drive.1
Discuss practical arrangements in advance. If you cannot arrange the help requested by the unit, contact it before the day rather than arriving with an unresolved plan. Keep the agreed arrangements with your appointment details.
Ask how to speak up during the examination
South Tees says to tell the team if you want to stop; if you cannot continue, it will end the procedure as soon as safely possible.1
Bloated by Dinner includes a Test It list and visit script for organizing appointment questions.
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Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2023Colonoscopy (opens in a new tab)abcd
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