Colonoscopy Recommended? What To Expect

If you are 50 or older, your doctor has probably recommended that you need to undergo a screening colonoscopy, which is an internal review of the colon to check for conditions that can lead to cancer. You can also consult the best gastroenterologist to know about the importance of colonoscopy.

Right now, you may have several queries related to colonoscopy, such as it would be painful, embarrassing or have other complications.

However, probably, after explaining exactly what the procedure is, how quickly it ends and how beneficial it is for your health, you become ready to receive their colonoscopy without worrying.

What is the purpose of colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is performed to detect possible colon cancer and other diseases that are related to intestine or colon.

A colonoscopy is, as the word itself says, a "scope" of the colon. After a specific preparation the day before, which consists of consuming a special drink, the colon is completely emptied. On the day of the procedure, light sedation is administered and a small diameter telescope is entered into the rectum through the anus that advances slowly until reaching the blind, a structure that tells the doctor that the end of the colon has been reached.

Once in the blind, the doctor slowly pulls the endoscope back and carefully examines the walls of the colon as it moves, noting any abnormalities along the way. These areas can be biopsied at the time of the exam.

Sometimes, polyps, an overgrowth of fleshy tissue, are found in colonoscopy. They are usually removed during the procedure and sent to pathology. Most polyps found during colonoscopy are benign or non-cancerous. The scope continues until it returns to the anus. The whole procedure is very short from beginning to end. After a brief recovery period, you can return home and eat normally. However, due to sedation, you will need someone to accompany you to take you home.

Who should be examined?

In general, if you are 50 or older, your first screening colonoscopy should be done to determine the health of your colon. If you have a history of colon cancer in your immediate family, you have an increased risk of developing colon cancer and screening is essential.

Also, if you have any symptoms such as pain, bleeding, diarrhea, chronic constipation, the expulsion of mucus or other tissue in the stool, a colonoscopy may be necessary to determine other diseases such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or diverticular disease.

Is a colonoscopy painful?

Generally, not. In fact, most patients who undergo a colonoscopy do not know that the procedure was performed. Light sedation or sometimes even general anesthesia is given. You fall asleep and are surprised when you wake up to discover that the procedure is over.

Although colonoscopy is not likely to be on anyone's list of fun activities, it is a necessary and very beneficial screening tool to detect colon cancer at an early stage, when the success rate to treat it is much, much higher.

In fact, a colonoscopy is less frightening and less uncomfortable than most dental work, which most of you do all the time without thinking twice! Having a screening test for colonoscopy should only be done once every 5-10 years if you have no special health risks, which requires more frequent evaluation. With the preparation and the exam itself, the colonoscopy takes about 1-1 / 2 days of your life that can help save many more days of your life, so think about it.

However, we would like to add up that consult the best gastroenterologist in Pakistan to ensure the careful examination.

Hayaat.pk can help you in accessing the best gastroenterologist in Lahore. Find a doctor and book an appointment now.