Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a gastrointestinal medical procedure in which a gastroenterologist or trained medical professional uses a flexible tube with a camera on it (colonoscope) to look inside your colon and rectum. This procedure is used to look for polyps, ulcers, swollen intestinal tissue and cancer.

WHEN DO I NEED A COLONOSCOPY?

There are a couple of symptoms that may indicate you need a colonoscopy.

• Pain in abdomen
• Bleeding from anus
• Abnormal bowel activity
• Abnormal weight loss

Gastroenterologists can use a colonoscopy to diagnose many intestinal issues. The colonoscopy is also used to screen for cancer and other intestinal diseases. This procedure can allow physicians to catch these disease in the early stages while they are much more treatable.

COLORECTAL SCREENING FOR CANCER

Physicians will recommend that you get screened for colorectal cancer at age 50 if you do not have any risk factors that indicate you are more likely to get colon cancer. If it is determined that you are at a high risk for colorectal cancer, screening may be recommended sooner than age 50, as well as more often. Some risk factors that put you at a higher risk are smoking, being overweight and having Crohn’s disease. Other risk factors include personal medical history of bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, and family history of colorectal polyps or cancer.

PREPPING FOR A COLONOSCOPY

For a colonoscopy, there are a couple things to remember before going to the procedure. Making sure you empty your bowel system, change your diet and arrange for a ride home after the procedure all need to be addressed before the procedure. Your diet and bowel cleansing are needed to make sure there is no dye from foods or stool limiting vision of the intestinal lining. You cannot drive for the 24 hours following the procedure so that the sedatives or anesthesia used have enough time to wear off.

RISKS

A colonoscopy can have a few rare risks associated with the procedure. These risks can include:

• abdominal pain
• averse reaction to the sedatives or anesthesia
• bleeding
• irritation of the colon

However, serious complications with a colonoscopy is a very rare occurrence. If you do experience any of these complications after a procedure, contact your physician immediately.

Kernodle Clinic provides colonoscopy procedures to patients in Burlington, NC and surrounding areas. For more information about our gastrointestinal services, contact us at our Burlington, NC office.