Gynecologic Specialties
| Defecatory Disorders Normal Bowel Function Normal bowel function is woefully taken for granted. The bowel actually serves three important functions related to nutrition. The first is the separation of the non-useful portions of food from the nutritious components. The second is the extraction of the valuable nutrients from food. The third is the timely evacuation of the unused portion and this includes the ability to store it until a convenient time for evacuation occurs. Most of the absorption of the useful nutrients occurs in the small bowel. Therefore, most of the material that enters the colon is waste. The material entering the colon is normally liquid, and one of the functions of the colon is to absorb some of the water to make it more solid. The other function is to move the waste to the rectum where it is stored until defecation. This occurs through a series of coordinated contractions of the colon wall muscle that resemble a wave. This wave like contraction is referred to as peristalsis. Once the waste reaches the rectum, it is held there until convenient evacuation is possible. Keeping the waste in the rectum is the function of the anus. The anus has two circular muscles that squeeze the anus closed when contracted. The internal muscle is closed all the time while the external or outer muscle contracts when stool enters the rectum. The pelvic floor muscles also help to keep the stool in the rectum by putting a kink in the anus that helps to keep stool in the rectum. Abnormal Bowel Function
Your physician has scheduled you for a test called cystoscopy. The name of the test means, "to look in the bladder". Cystoscopy is commonly used to examine the internal surfaces of the bladder. It can be used to diagnose a variety of bladder conditions. This test is performed in the office. You will be lying down, as if you were having a pelvic examination. The doctor will look in your bladder with a long, slender camera. The picture will be shown on a video monitor, so you will be able to see everything the doctor sees. During the test, the doctor will be filling your bladder with sterile fluid. As the doctor examines your bladder surfaces, you will feel the camera inside your bladder. Most patients say it is slightly uncomfortable, but it shouldn't hurt. This test very rarely causes any complications or problems. Less than 5% of women will develop a bladder infection after this test. Temporary irritation can also occur after the examination, resulting in a feeling or burning with urination. (This usually only lasts a few hours and goes away without any treatment). If you feel irritated after the procedure is over, your doctor can recommend a medication. Other complications are extremely uncommon. We do not recommend any special preparation for this test. However, please notify us if you think you might have a bladder infection on the day of your appointment, since your doctor will probably want to reschedule the test. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment. Do not empty your bladder, as we may need a urine specimen prior to performing the procedure. |
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