PROCEDURES Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure to examine the inside of your large intestine (colon and rectum). The scope is a flexible instrument that is very long and includes a camera and the ability to remove tissue, though you won't feel the tissue being removed. A colonoscopy is commonly used to assess gastrointestinal symptoms, like- bleeding, abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits.

Some people actively avoid the procedure due to embarrassment or a reluctance to go through the preparation, which consists of laxative-like flushes and can be unpleasant. Colonoscopies are performed to check for cancer or colorectal polyps. Polyps can become cancerous over time, so early detection and removal are vital.

We recommend that anyone who does not have risk factors for colorectal cancer begin regular colonoscopy screenings from 45. The frequency of your colonoscopies will depend on what is found. You may need to start having regular colonoscopies from a younger age if you have a higher risk of colon cancer. The risk factors include:

• Having inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
• Having a condition called polyposis syndrome in your family.
• Having any genetic condition associated with colon cancer.
• Having first-degree relatives with colon cancer (your mother or father, brother or sister, or child).
• Having multiple relatives with colon cancer.

What to Expect

Before we start the procedure, your doctor will give you preparation instructions. First, you will need to follow a clear liquid diet for 24 hours before your colonoscopy. Next, you will need to take a colon prep fluid, which is crucial. A poorly prepped colon potentially prevents us from adequately detecting pathology, which can have significant consequences. You'll take your prep solution the day before the procedure and again on the day of the procedure. Studies have shown that better results are obtained by splitting the colon prep.

First, you will be asked to change into a gown. Next, you will be given a sedative and asked to lie on your side before the procedure begins. During the procedure, your doctor, assisted by a specially trained endoscopy nurse, will insert the scope into your anus and guide it carefully under direct vision, through the rectum and into the colon. Next, we will pump gas into your colon, which allows your doctor to view the inside of your large bowel in det