Infusion Center
Some people may develop itching, hives, chills, and rarely shortness of breath or anaphlaxis. If this occurs, we would stop your infusion, administer medications such as benadryl and/or solu-cortef. In most cases, the symptoms disappear and we can restart your infusion, and for your future infusions, we would give you some extra premedications. In more serious reactions, we would not restart the medication, and we would consult your physcian for further treatment.
Yes. We will wake you during your infusion to check your vitals when needed and we will wake you up when your infusion is complete.
Something comfortable that allows access to your arms so an IV may be started. Some infusion centers are cool, but we do offer a blanket if needed.
Yes, most people drive themselves to and from the infusion and can return to work the same day. In some cases, you may receive a medication that causes drowsiness, if that is the case, we ask that you have some one pick you up from your infusion.
Yes. We have WiFi, you may use your phone, tablet, or read a book or magazine.
Yes. Please take all your routine medications as prescribed by your physician. You may eat and drink before, during, and after your infusion.
It depends on the medication you will be getting. The medications we infuse can take any where from 1-3 hours.
ERCP
Your doctor may discuss the test results right away. Or a return visit may be scheduled. You may go home the same day or spend the night in the hospital. Follow these tips:
- You can return to your normal routine and diet the day after the ERCP.
- If a cut was made in the duct, avoid blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin for 5-7 days.
- Call your doctor right away if you have a fever or abdominal pain. These may be signs of an infection.
Talk to your doctor about any health problems you have or medications you take. Discuss any allergies, especially to contract material (the special dye used for some x-rays).
- Ask your doctor about the risks of ERCP. These include pancreatitis, irritation or infection, bleeding, bowl perforation, and reactions to medications used during ERCP.
- You may be asked to take antibiotics ahead of time.
- Try to avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin for 1 week before ERCP.
- Be sure you stomach is empty. Do not eat or drink for 8-12 hours before ERCP.
- Have someone ready to take you home.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Bloating and bowel distension are common due to the air inflated into the bowel. This usually lasts on 30 to 60 minutes. If biopsies are done or if a polyp is removed, there may be some spotting of blood. However, this is rarely serious. Other uncommon risks include a diagnostic error or oversight, or a tear (perforation) of the wall of the colon which might require surgery.
The benefits of sigmoidoscopy can include the following:
It is often possible to determine the specific cause of symptoms.
Conditions such as colitis and diverticulosis can be monitored to determine effectiveness of treatment.
Polyps and tumors can be discovered at an early stage.
To obtain the full benefits of the exam and allow a thorough inspection, the rectum and sigmoid colon must be clean. Preparation usually involved drinking clear liquids the day before along with taking enemas and/or laxatives. Specific instructions for preparation are provided beforehand.
Sigmoidoscopy is performed to diagnose the cause of certain symptoms. It is also used as a preventative measure to detect problems at an early stage, even before the patient recognizes symptoms. The following are some reason for performing a sigmoidoscopy.
Bleeding – Rectal bleeding is very common. It often is caused by hemorrhoids or by a small tear at the anus, called a fissure. However, more serious problems can cause bleeding. Benign polyps can bleed. It is important to identify and remove polyps at an early stage before they can become cancerous. Rectal and colon cancers bleed and require immediate diagnosis and treatment. Finally, various forms of colitis and inflammation can cause bleeding.
Diarrhea – Persistent diarrhea should always be evaluated. There are many causes of diarrhea and the exam is of great help in tracking down the specific cause.
Pain – Hemorrhoids and fissures are some causes of pain around the anus or in the rectum. Discomfort in the lower abdomen can be caused by tumors. Diverticulosis can occur in the lower bowel. With this condition, small pockets or sacks project from the bowels.
X-ray Findings – A barium enema x-ray exam may show abnormalities that need to be confirmed or treated by sigmoidoscopy.
Detection – Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in the country. It is highly curable if it is found early. This cancer usually begins in the colon as a polyp that remains benign for many years. Therefore, it is generally advisable to have a sigmoidoscopy after age 40 or 50. If parents, brothers, or sisters have had colon polyps or colon cancers, it is even more critical to have this exam. The tendency to develop colon cancer and polyps can be inherited.
Colonoscopy
It is the patient’s responsibility to be aware of their insurance benefits and will need to call the plan and check benefits. Each insurance plan is different and so they pay differently. As a smart consumer you need to be aware of what your benefits are. We will not verify your coverage with your insurance.
When calling the insurance plan ask different questions such as:
- A. How will my insurance pay on a screening colonoscopy (no problems, routine). How does my insurance pay on a colonoscopy if I have a medical reason (diarrhea, constipation etc) for the test?
- B. What happens if a biopsy is taken and or polyp is removed? Will my benefit level change if this happens?
Your information can be obtained from different sources. It is necessary for the billing department to have the most current insurance information on file. If filed to the wrong plan, or under the wrong group number, your claim may be denied. If we have copies of your insurance cards, we will be able to file charges correctly because we verify all information before sending the claim to your insurance company.
The associated costs can vary with each patient. Most major medical insurance covers the costs of the procedure. Co-pays and deductibles are the responsibility of the patient.
Bloating and distention typically occur for about an hour after the exam until the air is expelled. Serious risks with colonoscopy, however, are very uncommon. One such risk is excessive bleeding, especially with the removal of a large polyp. In rare instances, a tear in the lining of the colon can occur. These complications may require hospitalization and, rarely, surgery. Quite uncommonly a diagnostic error or oversight may occur.
Due to the mild sedation, the patient should not drive or operate machinery following the exam. For this reason, someone should be available to drive the patient home.
A colonoscopy is performed to identify and/or correct a problem in the colon. The test enables a diagnosis to be made and specific treatment can be given. If a polyp is found during the exam, it can be removed at that time, eliminating the need for a major operation later.
If a bleeding site is identified, treatment can be administered to stop the bleeding. Other treatments can be given through the endoscope when necessary.
To obtain the full benefits of the exam, the colon must be clean and free of stool. The patient receives instructions on how to do this. In involves drinking a solution which flushes the colon clean or taking laxatives and enemas. Usually the patient drinks only clear liquids and eats no food for the day before the exam. The physician advises the patient regarding the use of regular medications during that time.
There are many types of problems that can occur in the colon. The medical history, physical exam, laboratory tests and x-rays can provide information useful in making a diagnosis. Directly viewing the inside of the colon by colonoscopy is usually the best exam. Colonoscopy is used for:
- Colon cancer- a serious but highly curable malignancy.
- Polyps – fleshy tumors which usually are the forerunners of colon cancer
- Colitis (Ulcerative or Crohn’s) – chronic, recurrent inflammations of the colon.
- Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis- pockets along the intestinal wall that develop over time and can become infected.
- Bleeding lesions – bleeding may occur from different points in the colon.
- Abdominal symptoms, such as pain or discomfort, particularly if associated with weight loss or anemia.
- Abnormal barium x-ray exam.
- Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or a change in bowel habits.
- Anemia
This is a normal reaction for many patients and usually disappears once your bowels begin to move. Should this occur on your colon prep day, we ask that you stop your prep, continue hydrating with clear liquids when able, then resume prep once the nausea/vomiting subsides.
Hemorrhoids
Unfortunately, they don’t “go away” on their own, and they then to worsen over time.
But they can be treated with the CRH O’Regan System.
An anal fissure is a small tear in the tissue lining the anus, often caused by passing hard, dry stool. Anal fissures are also extremely common, occurring in at least 20% of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids, and they can cause bleeding, itching and pain. For those with more severe fissures, a bowel movement can be excruciating, as if you’re “passing razor blades.” Fissures often require medical treatment for permanent solution. Because good bowel care is important to recovery, it is important to avoid constipation and straining, which can prevent the fissure from healing completely.
- Take a 15-minute sitz bath (a warm bath with a tablespoon of table salt added) three times per day and after each bowel movement if possible. Gently dry your bottom.
- Avoid constipation by increasing the amount of fiber and liquids in your diet. Stool softeners may also be helpful to avoid constipation.
- Avoid sitting on the commode for more than two minutes to prevent excessive straining. If you can’t have a bowel movement in that time, come back later.
- Avoid prolonged sitting or other activities that will increase the pressure on your bottom. If you work at a desk all day, get up and take breaks whenever you can.
- There are many creams and suppositories for hemorrhoids, but they have limited benefits.
Hemorrhoids are cushions of tissue in the lower rectum and anus that can cause pain, itching, bleeding and swelling. In more severe circumstances, they can extend through the anus (prolapse), and even clot off or become gangrenous. Symptomatic hemorrhoids affect about half of Americans by age 50. Unfortunately, they don’t “go away” on their own, and they then to worsen over time.