Colonoscopy
Welcome to InnerMed – your colonoscopy specialists in Bühl/Baden-Baden!
With more than 3500 colonoscopies a year, we have reliable experience in the field of endoscopic examinations. Our priority: your safety and well-being. State-of-the-art, high-quality equipment and personalized care by qualified specialists are therefore our top priorities at InnerMed.
In addition to colonoscopy, we naturally offer a wide range of other examination and treatment options. s
- When is a colonoscopy recommended?
- Before the colonoscopy: what you should think about
- Colonoscopy: how the examination works
- After the colonoscopy – what should I bear in mind?
- Colonoscopy: benefits, risks and costs
- QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
- INHABER LUTZ EHMSEN: DAFÜR STEHT INNERMED
- ZERTIFIZIERTE QUALITÄT, MODERNE AUSSTATTUNG, HÖCHSTE HYGiENESTANDARDS
- WegBESCHREIBUNG
When is a colonoscopy recommended?
Colonoscopy is the standard procedure for examining the large intestine and the lower section of the small intestine. It is particularly important for the early detection of bowel cancer and its precursors. The examination is therefore recommended for screening in men from the age of 50 and in women from the age of 55.
Colonoscopy is also advisable as a preventive measure if there is a family history of colorectal cancer, i.e. if direct relatives have been diagnosed with the disease.
We also recommend a colonoscopy for unclear abdominal complaints, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases or specific symptoms. These include
- Blood in the stool
- Increased abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation
- Iron deficiency or anemia
- Unclear weight loss
A colonoscopy enables your doctor to identify the cause of your symptoms. For example, chronic bowel diseases, precursors of bowel cancer and possible inflammation or malignant changes in the bowel mucosa can be detected.
We also recommend a colonoscopy for follow-up care after bowel surgery (for example after bowel cancer).
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Before the colonoscopy: what you should think about
It is important to us that you go to your examination feeling confident. It goes without saying that we will therefore take the time to inform you in detail about the procedure and the advantages and disadvantages of the examination. A few days before the agreed appointment, we will hold a personal information session in which we will explain all the steps and answer any questions you may have.
Various factors such as food and medication can have a decisive influence on the quality of the examination. In order to create the conditions for a safe and successful colonoscopy, there are a few things to bear in mind.
Colonoscopy: how the examination works
Colonoscopy is performed on an outpatient basis at InnerMed and therefore does not require hospitalization. On the day of the examination, we will see you at the agreed time in our endoscopy department. Here you will again receive all the necessary information about the examination procedure.
In order to always guarantee you a pain-free examination, we recommend having the colonoscopy performed with a ‘short anesthetic’. However, you can of course also have the examination without a short anesthetic.
The examination usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The endoscope – a tube-like device about the thickness of a finger – is inserted into the large intestine from the anus. The intestine must first be dilated so that the intestinal mucosa can be viewed clearly and any changes can be seen. This is done by blowing in air or medical carbon dioxide. The endoscope can then be advanced through the large intestine to the junction of the small intestine.
If necessary, your doctor can take tissue samples or perform minor endoscopic procedures during the examination. This includes, for example, the removal of polyps, i.e. benign growths, to prevent cancer. Depending on the size of the polyp, this is done using small forceps or an electric snare and is completely painless.

After the colonoscopy – what should I bear in mind?

If you have been given a sedative for the examination, you will be taken to a recovery room for approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the colonoscopy. You will then have a final consultation with your doctor, during which we will inform you of the results of your examination. If tissue samples were taken, they will be sent to our partner laboratory for analysis. As a rule, you will receive the results of this analysis after three days at the latest.
You may not feel as energetic as usual immediately after the colonoscopy. If you have been given sedatives, you may not drive a car, bicycle or motorcycle for 24 hours. We therefore recommend that you are picked up by an accompanying person after the examination and then recover at home.
If you do not have the possibility to be picked up, we will gladly organize a cab for you – just contact us.
Your digestion may also need a few days to recover. Laxation before the colonoscopy puts a strain on the large intestine and can lead to discomfort such as abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort. For faster regeneration, the temporary intake of probiotic bacteria can be helpful. We recommend Orthomed fit pro-6 ® for this purpose. Please feel free to contact us about this.
You may eat and drink as usual after the examination.
Colonoscopy: benefits, risks and costs
ADVANTAGES
What are the advantages of colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is an important preventive examination. It is currently the most accurate and reliable method of detecting and preventing intestinal diseases. A number of advantages speak in favor of the examination:
RISKS
What are the risks and side effects?
Colonoscopy is considered a very safe procedure. The risk of complications is extremely low. In rare cases, minor bleeding may occur, for example when polyps are removed. However, these can usually be treated immediately on an outpatient basis.In extremely rare cases, more serious complications such as perforation of the bowel wall may occur during the examination.
In individual cases, patients do not tolerate the sedative. This can lead to circulatory problems during the examination – which is why we constantly monitor pulse, oxygen saturation and blood pressure.
The air used to dilate the bowel escapes naturally after the examination. This can take a few hours and can lead to temporary abdominal pain or bloating. To reduce discomfort before and after the colonoscopy, you can also have the examination performed using medical carbon dioxide (CO2) thanks to new technology. However, as the additional costs of using this procedure are not covered by statutory health insurance, we charge around 20 euros for this.