If you’ve never experienced or ran the risk of having a bladder infection, a cystoscopy might sound like an alien term. Instead of being a scary procedure or disease like the word sounds, a cystoscopy is actually a simple and quick method for doctors to inspect the interior of a patient’s bladder to make sure nothing bad is developing. The procedure is frequently used for patients who have mentioned slight discomfort or suffer from frequent urination problems. Let’s walk through how the process works and any possible side effects a patient might experience.
Reasons For Having A Cystoscopy
A person can be prescribed a cystoscopy for a variety of reasons. Your doctor will likely order the test if you have problems going to urinate in the bathroom, feel pain while you go, or can’t stop going. The miniature camera that is inserted into your body will be able to test how much blood is present in your urine, if any urinary tract infections are present, or if there are reasons for pelvic pain.
In the worst case, a patient could have benign or growing tumors in their bladder, stones developing, or develop an enlarged prostate or severe cancer. It can also take small samples of your bladder tissue to further inspect what exactly is going on in the organ. For your own protection, the cystoscopy will be performed in a hospital or doctor’s office.
You will be given either a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic. The difference between these two options is that local will mean you’re awake the entire time. You will still be able to eat or drink like normal on the day of your cystoscopy and can go home right away. As for the general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious and will need to abstain from eating or drinking fluids for several hours before a cystoscopy begins.
In order to prepare for a successful cystoscopy, a patient will likely have to take antibiotics before and after the test is done. This only applies for people have an already weak immune system or recently suffered from a urinary tract infection. Some doctors might also ask for urine sample to make sure not too many toxins already exist in your body. Right before the test starts, you will be given general anesthesia to prevent any minor pain from the tube. This drug will make you feel slightly phased out and dizzy, but the side effects will fade after spending some time to rest at home. Make sure you aren’t operating any heaving machinery, doing any strenuous work, or driving a car at all when you are on the drug.
To make it easier for yourself, make sure you can schedule a ride home from the procedure and take the day off from school or your job. If you are taking any regular medications for a preexisting illness or allergy, make sure your doctor knows right away before the procedure is done as well. Certain drugs can cause a lot more bleeding than usual when the cystoscopy is being done, so be careful.
Risks Of A Cystoscopy
Any procedure you do will include risks, so it’s very important to be aware of them if you do have a cystoscopy done. It’s normal to experience a slight burning feeling while urinating for two to three days after the procedure is finished. You might also need to urinate more than usual, but that is nothing serious to worry about. Don’t try to hold it if you are worried, because the blood in your bladder could potentially clot and create a uncomfortable blockage. If you make sure to drink plenty of water, any blood in our urine will fade slowly until nothing odd appears when you go.
However, some patients have more severe reactions to a cystoscopy with a swollen urethra which makes urination painful. An infection from germs present at the site is also possible and is shown through unexpected fevers, sensations of nausea, potential lower back pain, and strangely scented urine. If this happens, or if you develop a high fever or have bright red blood clots in your urine, call your doctor immediately to treat the issue. Your life won’t be in imminent danger, but you will need to treat the symptoms right away so the infection doesn’t spread and develop into a bigger problem.
In the meantime, if the pain is too unbearable and you can’t see your doctor right away, you can hold a warm washcloth over your urethra for help. This helps loosen the blood in the area so you have better circulation overall. If you called or visit your doctor about your existing pain, they can allow you to take pain medications like Advil or Tylenol while you finish recovering from the cystoscopy. The key thing to remember is to use common sense when you are home and your body is slowly recovering back to normal. Don’t do anything too out of the ordinary or push yourself too hard in the gym the following days after the procedure.
Don’t Be Afraid
Even though the side effects of a cystoscopy may sound scary, you don’t need to be afraid. You will be safe and sound during the procedure as long as you take care of your body before and after to recover successfully. Everyone’s body is different so there’s no guarantee no compilations will happen, but the same can be said for nearly every kind of minor to major procedure out there.
Above all, make sure you talk to your doctor about what your fears are and ask them any questions you have in mind. It’s better to get an answer for a question you think is embarrassing than get no answer at all!
