Colonoscopy Recommendations
A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your concerned physician check the inside of your entire colon. It helps diagnose gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. A colonoscopy may be preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic, and often, it’s all of these. Your physician may advise you to have a colonoscopy for routine cancer screening if you’re at a statistically higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. It can also be used to check the colon after cancer treatment.
About Colonoscopy RecommendationsA colonoscopy is recommended if a patient exhibits early signs of potential issues such as cancer, inflamed or swollen tissue, ulcers, nausea, vomiting, bloating, rectal irritation, or if they experience adverse reactions to pain medicine or sedatives, or bleeding. Most people undergo their first colonoscopy as part of routine cancer screening. The procedure offers a more detailed view of the large intestine compared to other non-invasive imaging tests. A colonoscopy is considered “negative” if no abnormalities are found, and “positive” if polyps or abnormal tissues are detected.
Procedure of Colonoscopy
- Duration and Expertise: The procedure lasts about 30-60 minutes and is performed by a doctor skilled in colonoscopies.
- Use of a Colonoscope: A colonoscope, a flexible, tubular instrument, is inserted to visualize the colon’s lining, allowing the doctor to identify any abnormalities.
- Navigation and Visualization: The scope bends to navigate the curves of the colon, and air is pumped in to expand the colon for clearer visibility.
- Tissue Removal and Polyp Detection: If any abnormalities are found, small tissue samples may be taken for analysis, and polyps can be removed during the procedure.
- Recovery: After the colonoscopy, it typically takes about an hour for the sedative to wear off. The patient may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours as the air clears from the colon.
- Dietary Restrictions: Special dietary guidelines must be followed before and after the procedure to ensure a smooth recovery.