Do You Know What Colonoscopy Is?

Has anyone of you heard the word colonoscopy? What comes into our mind when it comes to this word? Colonoscopy, sounds scary right? According to http://wikipedia.org , “Colonoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. It may provide a visual diagnosis (e.g. ulceration, polyps) and grants the opportunity for biopsy or removal of suspected lesion (.wikipedia.org)”

Colonoscopy is usually done in diagnosing colon disease and determine colon health. If there is a sudden change in bowel habit or suspicion of malignancy in our instestine. It is done by a doctor to check what is inside your colon, which is what we also call the large intestine. In this process the doctor uses colonoscope. The colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube that ranges from 48in. to 72in. long. A small video camera is attached to the colonoscope so that your doctor can take pictures or video of the large intestine (colon). This allows insertion of the air in the scope to have a better view inside the colon. It has also forceps attached on the scopes that can collect tissues for biopsy.

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. Polyps may be removed with electrocautery snares, and photographs may be taken. The procedure is used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss. It can also detect the cause of bleeding and irritation in our colon.

Colonoscopy is the best procedure that has results those others tests couldn’t have. It is only done by professional specialists called endoscopist. The common reasons why we should undergo colonoscopy are the following:

•   As a screening exam for colon cancer in anyone over age 50
•   Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
•   Dark/black stools
•   Persistent diarrhea
•   Iron deficiency anemia (a decrease in blood count due to loss of iron)
•   Significant, unexplained weight loss, accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms
•   A family history of colon cancer
•   To follow up an abnormal barium enema
•   A history of previous colon polyps or colon cancer
•   Surveillance in people with ulcerative colitis
•   For the medical management of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
•   Chronic, unexplained abdominal pain.( http://www.uptodate.com)

Colonoscopy is not a cure. But through this process we have more chance on prevention from more colon disease. It is better to prevent disease from coming than to search for cure. in addition, we must also follow the doctor’s instructions on the preparation before the colonoscopy.