It is important that you understood all that is involved in a cystoscopy before having gone in for the procedure. Those who are recommended the procedure are first required to understand what a cystoscopy is. A cystoscopy is a procedure that involves examining the insides of your bladder and urethra. An instrument called a cystoscope, which is pencil thin, is introduced through your urinary passage. This instrument has lenses which allow your doctor to view the inner surface of the urethra. A cystoscope could either be rigid or flexible. The procedure takes about twenty minutes and an anesthetic gel is flushed through the bladder to help you manage the pain.
A cystoscopy is generally done when you have had some urinary problem. You may require undergoing a cystoscopy if you answer yes to any of these conditions:
- Do you repeatedly have a problem of urinary tract infections?
- Are there any traces of blood in your urine?
- Do you suffer from the problem of involuntary leakage of urine?
- During a routine urine examination were there some abnormal substances found in your urine?
- Is passing urine a painful experience for you?
- Are there stones in your urethra or in your urinary bladder?
- Is there some unusual growth in your urinary tract?
- Do you have difficulty passing urine due to the fact that your prostrate is enlarged?
If your answer to one or more of these questions is a yes, then your doctor took the right decision in recommending a cystoscopy. You may have been a bit worried as your doctor may have asked you to sign a consent form. This is no cause for concern; you need to understand that all medical procedures involve a small element of risk. It is important that you talk to your doctor before going in for the procedure to clear-up any doubts or concerns that you might have. If you have followed all the instructions that your doctor gave you, then there is no cause for concern.
Now that you have done cystoscopy procedure it is important that you immediately get in touch with your doctor if you have any problems such as chills, fevers, or bloody urine for more than 24 hours after the test. Based on the results of the cystoscopy, your doctor may prescribe a further course of treatment to deal with the problem. If you still have doubts, you can always seek a second opinion.
Submitted by M T on March 25, 2010 at 12:35