A cystoscopy is generally performed to examine the insides of the bladder. This test is preformed to diagnose certain kinds of urinary disorders. They include incontinence, urinary tract infections, painful urination, kidney stones and urine retention, among others. With the help of a cystoscope, a thin, lighted instrument, your medical practitioner will be able to collect sample tissues from the inside of your bladder for further examination. He/she will be able to obtain sample tissue for a biopsy in addition to urine samples, with the help of other small surgical instruments that can be inserted into the bladder with the help of a cystoscope. A cystoscopy may result in a few side effects that last for sometime after the test. These side effects are a result of the nature of the test and are a normal reaction to it. Generally, a cystoscopy is performed under an anesthetic. You may be given general, local or spinal anesthesia, depending upon the nature of your condition. If you have any allergies to any kind of medication, then you must make sure that you inform your medical practitioner prior to the test. This will help prevent complications before and after the test. While the test itself is very safe, you may experience a few uncomfortable side effects after the test.
One of the most common side effects of a cystoscopy is a urinary tract infection. Your medical practitioner may be able to prevent this with the help of medication that will be administered before the test. As an added precaution, patients are usually asked to empty their bladders before the test is performed. As a result of a urinary tract infection, the patient may experience the need to urinate frequently, painful urination or even an inability to urinate. In addition, the urethra may become swollen as a result of inserting the cystoscope. This can make urination uncomfortable and painful. To help alleviate these symptoms, a catheter is sometimes inserted to drain urine from the bladder. It is therefore normal to have a catheter to help drain urine after a cystoscopy. Another common side effect of a cystoscopy is bleeding. Bleeding sometimes occurs after a cystoscopy and is a normal consequence of the test. The bleeding normally ceases on its own, but if it does not or is unresponsive to treatment, then you should contact your medical practitioner immediately to rule out the possibility of a more serious infection or disorder.
Submitted by M T on April 1, 2010 at 04:44