Since the large intestine stores waste before excretion, consuming unhealthy foods can lead to digestive issues, waste buildup, and frequent abdominal pain. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your colon's health and ensure it’s functioning properly.
If you're wondering when it's time to get a colonoscopy, the signs are quite easy to recognize. You should be cautious if you experience:
Chronic diarrhea
Abnormal bowel movements
Bloody stools
Straining or feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bowels
Unexplained weight loss
Pale skin or anemia
Persistent lower abdominal pain
A lump in the abdomen
A family history of colon cancer
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's best to visit a hospital and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Not at all! Before the procedure, the doctor will instruct the patient to clear their colon by eating a light diet and taking laxatives for 1–2 days. On the day of the colonoscopy, the doctor will insert a long, flexible tube with a camera through the rectum and into the colon, reaching about 1.5 meters in length.
This can be done while the patient is awake or under sedation. The procedure itself takes about 15–30 minutes. Afterward, patients are monitored for 1–2 hours before being discharged if no abnormalities are found.
If any issues like inflammation, tumors, or cancer are detected, the doctor will send tissue samples for further testing. If polyps are found, the doctor can remove them using a specialized wire with an electric current, which is passed through the colonoscope.
The main benefits of a colonoscopy include:
Detecting ulcers, hemorrhoids, polyps, cancer, or other abnormalities in the colon
Identifying the cause and location of bleeding in the lower digestive tract
Stopping bleeding using the colonoscope
Removing polyps before they turn cancerous
Although a colonoscopy is generally safe, there are some rare risks, such as bleeding, perforation of the colon (less than 1 in 1,000 cases), or infections after polyp removal. To ensure safety, patients are monitored at the hospital until they are stable.
If you frequently experience abdominal pain or have any risk factors, consult a doctor about whether a colonoscopy is right for you.
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