When And Why Should I Have a Colonoscopy?

The thought of a colonoscopy often brings forth feelings of dread and especially of disgust. No one likes the idea of such an invasive test made in such a private area of the body. But there are many benefits to a colonoscopy, because there are many things that may go wrong inside your colon. Since a colonoscopy looks inside your colon, this can tell us what is wrong or what might go wrong. Your colon is your lower (or "large") intestine. A colonoscopy is performed using a colonoscope, a flexible, fiber-optic cable connected to a small camera.

Your doctor may have several reasons for wanting to perform a colonoscopy.  Usually, this reason is to screen for colorectal cancer.  You may be surprised to know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of deaths due to cancer, with lung cancer being the most common.  This kind of cancer often starts in small masses of cells called polyps on the walls of your colon.

While the polyps are small and are just starting to grow, there are typically no symptoms to speak of.  But over time, usually after five to ten years, these tiny polyps can turn into a cancerous growth.  It is recommended that people who are over the age of 50 have a colonoscopy once every five years, whether they have any symptoms or not.  Through a colonoscopy, your doctor can identify, locate, and remove any precancerous polyps that could be growing in your large intestine.

Colonoscopies may also be useful in discovering other diseases of the colon.  If you have noticed any rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, your doctor can use a colonoscopy to determine what the cause of the bleeding is as well as its exact location.  A colonoscope may be equipped with a small laser which can be used for repairing any site that is bleeding. 

A colonoscopy also might become necessary if you have other colon-related symptoms, such as a change in bowel movement habits or any weight loss that can not be explained by your diet.  Basically, you ought to have a colonoscopy if you or your doctor think that there is any disease, inflammation or abnormality in your colon.  Usually, the colonoscopy will be able to discover any abnormalities in your colon or it will determine that no abnormalities are present.

You may ask if there are any risks involved in colonoscopies. But any medical procedure will have some risk, and a colonoscopy is no exception to that rule.  During the test, air is used to inflate your colon to give the doctor better visibility.  This air can lead to cramps and swelling in your abdomen.  However, as soon as the test is complete and the air is removed, any pain or swelling should subside.  Sometimes, when your doctor discovers a polyp during the colonoscopy, he may choose to remove a small sample of it for a biopsy. The removal of this tissue may cause a small amount of blood to be in your stool for a short period following the test.

While the chances of this are very small, it is possible that the colonoscopy may injure your intestinal wall. Lastly, there is always the risk that it will not find a problem,
even when one exists.

You should know that there is little doubt that you will experience some discomfort throughout the procedure. The degree of discomfort often depends on the experience and skill of the colonoscope operator. Also, the more anxious you are, the more difficult it will be for the operator to perform your colonoscopy.  To ensure that you remain as calm as possible, it is likely that your doctor will offer you sedatives to keep you relaxed, but not asleep. You will be lying on your left side throughout the colonoscopy.  In order to get maximum visibility, the colonoscope operator may request that you shift positions on occasion.

Although the idea of a colonoscopy seems quite uncomfortable, it is an important test that you should have on a regular basis.  This is especially true if you are at a greater risk of colon cancer. The essence of avoiding colon cancer is to catch it early. Getting a colonoscopy regularly could mean the difference between life and death.

To prepare for your colonoscopy, your intestines ought to be completely emptied. Your doctor may prescribe some kind of liquid diet, or laxatives, or enemas. But these methods are harsh and uncomfortable, when accomplishing complete colon cleansing could be much easier. You should ask your doctor if you may use a natural colon cleanse or a colonic. Even if you must continue with the prescribed medications, getting a regular colon cleanse in the weeks and months before your colonoscopy ought to make your preparation that much easier.