Colonoscopy – A Must-to-do Test After 50
Your doctor has recommended that you have a colonoscopy? Okay, so you either know what a screening colonoscopy is or have heard horror stories about the procedure and preparation. Colonoscopies, on the other hand, aren't nearly as terrible as you may expect.
Although no one like doctors probing and prodding their bodies, colonoscopy is painless and can save your life. Colorectal cancer is one of the top 10 cancers in men and women in OKC, therefore talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy if you have risk factors, are prone to colon cancer, or have any of the following symptoms or situations:
Experiencing rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or a change in your bowel habits, family history of colon cancer or a family member is diagnosed with the disease
Colon Cancer
Constipation, a sense that your intestine isn't emptying completely, blood in your stool, chronic cramping, and farts are all signs of colon cancer. Other signs and symptoms to be aware of include pencil-thin feces, abrupt and unexplained weight loss, weariness, and weakness. Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms usually suggest that the cancer has progressed significantly.
Pre-Colonoscopy and Preparation of the Bowel
The bowel preparation entails drinking a liquid laxative the night before the treatment to clean out your colon. While it may not be pleasant or enjoyable, a clean colon allows specialists to examine the intestinal wall and detect any problems.
Colonoscopy Examines Colon Inside
Your gastroenterologist will need to see the whole length of your colon and rectum during your colonoscopy. The doctor does this by gently pushing a hollow, flexible tube about the thickness of a pen with a tiny video camera and light at the tip into your whole colon.
As the procedure progresses, the camera broadcasts video to the screen and little quantities of air are forced into your colon to keep it open. Tissue samples may be taken if the doctor notices any abnormal tissue. The majority of polyps are harmless.
The method is the most precise way to detect tiny polyps or growths on the colon wall. These can be benign at first, but they can turn malignant with time. The doctor removes polyps for study if any are discovered during the colonoscopy. It takes roughly 30 minutes to complete the test.
Colorectal cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer are all terms used to describe bowel cancer. This disease can result in intestinal blockage, narrowing, or bleeding. Colon cancer can metastasize (spread to other organs or regions of the body) and cause secondary illness in advanced cases.
Other gut disorders that can be detected with a colonoscopy include inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulosis. Doctors, on the other hand, are more likely to look for malignant or precancerous polyps on the inside of the intestinal wall or lining.
We provide treatments for colon cancer prevention, digestive health, liver disease treatment, IBD, and more at Digestive Disease Specialists in Oklahoma. Our gastroenterologists and endoscopists provide the finest level of care.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
