What is Cystoscopy?

What is Cystoscopy?

What is Cystoscopy?

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what would be the reaction of our ancestors if they could see the marvels of the 21st century? Heck, some of them might well have lived a little longer, only if their health issues were identified in an early stage! The progress in medical research and diagnostic techniques has indeed been such that it can leave anyone agape. Imaging techniques in particular have improved immensely, a surgeon can practically have a look around inside your body from the outside. Take the example of cystoscopy. So many of your urinary tract issues can be diagnosed and treated in time courtesy of this monitoring technique. If by any chance, you were after a detailed account of cystoscopy, this is just the page you need to be on. We are going to talk about cystoscopy from as many angles as we can, hence, the comprehensiveness of the debate is guaranteed!

Cystoscopy Indications

Cystoscopy allows your doctor to examine your bladder lining and urethra. To perform this procedure, a tube called a cystoscope is inserted via the urethra and moved toward the bladder region. The special thing about cystoscopes? It has a lens. Hence the examination is efficient enough to reveal the actual cause of urethral pain and bladder discomfort. Now before we discuss the nitty-gritty of this diagnostic procedure, we think it would be wise to talk about the indications for cystoscopy first. The key reason why your physician might recommend a cystoscopy is the investigation of signs such as urinary incontinence or a burning sensation after peeing. Other indications for cystoscopy include bladder cancer, bladder stones, and in some cases, an enlarged prostate.

Cystoscopy: An Overview

Before you undergo cystoscopy, you will be asked to take a combination of antibiotics. This is usually an option but in case your immune system is unable to fight infections that well, then you will have to pop the pills. Also, cystoscopy demands an empty bladder, so you will have to do that as well. Oh, and you will be under a sedative, so be prepared for that! Now as to the procedure itself, well, you need not worry about the time for which you will be under a sedative. A cystoscopy lasts for 20-30 minutes typically. Once your doctor gets a clear picture of what is going inside your bladder courtesy of that lens placed on the cystoscope, more than half the job is done. For a better view, the procedure video can be projected onto the computer as well, in case a video camera is used. Your bladder might be filled with a sterile solution as well, in case a better view is needed.

What is Meant By Rigid Cystoscopy?

This is a term that you are likely to come across whenever you search for cystoscopy. Well, it is not something that you should be confused by too much. Protocol for cystoscopy remains pretty much the same apart from one major difference i.e. the nature of the cystoscope used. You see, in this procedure, the cystoscope used doesn’t bend or twist, even inside the body of the person undergoing the test. It is inflexible and rigid, hence, such a cystoscopy is termed as rigid. Oh, we see you are wondering about anesthesia. Well, there are options for you to choose from. Either local anesthesia is applied, or you are put to sleep for one hour. You will feel some sort of pain in this type of cystoscopy, so be mentally prepared for that.

Is Cystoscopy Painful for Women?

The procedures for male and female cystoscopy are quite similar. And yet, the question that is asked more is about cystoscopy for women and the pain associated with it. Well, during the procedure, you are under anesthesia pretty much all the time, so we reckon you can handle the discomfort and pain during the procedure without much fuss. Once it is over, well, you can feel a bit of numbness that is because of the anesthesia you were under. Also, you might experience a burning sensation after peeing post-cystoscopy. This is considered normal and should be resolved within 2 to 3 days, post-cystoscopy.

Are There Any Cystoscopy Side Effects?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. Is there any short-term, or long-term side effects? Well, the one that worries us the most is bleeding post-cystoscopy. If you observe red specks on toilet tissue, you should consult your doctor and inquire about the reason. Usually, bleeding results because of improper cystoscope maneuvering inside the body. Other side effects associated with this procedure are a burning sensation after peeing and increased urination in the days following the procedure. However, these risks and side effects are still less significant than what the test can reveal.

Cystoscopy Recovery

As we have mentioned it already, you are likely to feel a bit of numbness and discomfort when peeing post cystoscopy. How can you alleviate that discomfort? Well, you can place a heating pad over the urethral opening to assuage the pain. Also, taking a warm bath can work wonderfully in your favour as well. But make sure that your doctor allows that. Sometimes doctors give a ruling against immediate showering. Oh, and to minimize the irritation, you can drink plenty of water. As you urinate more, your bladder’s irritation will be minimized as a result of this excessive flushing. It is highly recommended to drink at least 15 ounces of water every hour post cystoscopy, at least for one-day post-procedure. In case you still feel discomfort post-one-week cystoscopy, you should get in touch with your doctor immediately.

Conclusion

Time for us to wrap up this discussion, but we do hope that you learned a lot of new things about cystoscopy today. In case one of your family members or friends is planning to undergo this diagnostic procedure, sharing this information with them will be immensely helpful for them. It is always good to be cognizant of possible complications that are associated with common diagnostic procedures, and now, cystoscopy is one less thing you need to know about!

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