Is Non-sedation Advisable During A Colonoscopy?

Posted on Sat, 31 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 Answered on

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : First Colonoscopy; I am contemplating a non-sedation procedure due to personal reasons. What is the opinion of physicians? I am covered by Kaiser Permanente.

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Sedation is usually recommended for colonoscopy because gas is used to inflate portions of the colon as the scope is advanced, and this can be painful.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy can be done without sedation, but alone (without barium study) is inadequate for evaluating the entire colon.

You can talk with the gastroenterologist or anesthesiologist in advance about different types of sedation. Twilight sedation can provide comfort with less medication. If there are certain classes of medication you want to avoid, they may be able to substitute something else.

I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar