Guide To Getting A Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a procedure used to allow a doctor to view and directly image the inside of a patient's large intestine. A colonoscopy is very helpful in diagnosing numerous disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Colonoscopies are used frequently to screen patients for colon cancer once they meet certain high-risk criteria. The dual use of a colonoscopy makes it a viable and economical option and technique for screening, examining, and treating intestinal abnormalities and growths. 

As mentioned, a colonoscopy is a common colon cancer screening method. It will help doctors diagnose a patient's condition earlier, which can then assist with colon cancer treatment. Treatment for colon cancer includes chemotherapy and surgery. Of course, this procedure can also help diagnose other gastrointestinal issues. Thus, patients can receive prompt treatment for diverticulitis, colon polyps, and other abnormalities. Of course, it is vital to understand the procedure first.

What It Is Used For

A colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine an individual's large intestine and rectum. This screening checks for colon cancer and other problems in a patient's intestinal tract. These problems include colon polyps and other growths, diverticulosis, bleeding in the intestines, and inflammatory bowel disease. Other problems that it can check for are the underlying cause of bowel habit changes, pain in the abdominal and pelvic regions, and intestinal obstruction. Doctors will often order a colonoscopy for abnormal results from computerized tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, or x-rays. A colonoscopy is also used to find the underlying cause of chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss. 

Every individual who is fifty years old or older who has an average risk of developing colon cancer should have a routine colonoscopy once every ten years. Individuals considered to be at an increased risk of developing colon cancer should have a routine colonoscopy on a more frequent basis. When patients follow the proper screening guidelines, between seventy-six and ninety percent of colon cancer cases can be prevented or found at the precancerous stage.