In an earlier column, we discussed the importance of adding health maintenance visits to your personal wellness plan. (Read Staying on Top of Things: Health Maintenance and Personal Wellness). In addition to allowing your doctor to assess your overall health and well being, these visits also offer an opportunity to have important screening tests. Preventive health visits are an important part of self-care and a vital part of effective personal wellness plans.

Since March is National Colorectal Screening Month, we thought we would highlight an important tool in preventing as well as detecting colorectal cancer: the colonoscopy. We hope this information empowers and encourages people to get colonoscopies when their doctors recommend them. This procedure is not only a screening test, but can also help prevent the development of colon cancer. If precancerous polyps (grape like growths that can form on the lining of the colon) are found they can be removed during the colonoscopy. This prevents them from turning into cancer.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions about colonoscopy, please read the information below. This portion of the article is written by our first international guest writer, Dr. Chen Chung Ming. Dr. Chen is a colorectal surgeon from Singapore.

Be well,
Dr. Donna

COLONOSCOPY FAQ

Author: Dr Chen Chung Ming

What is the colon and rectum?

The colon and rectum comprise the large intestine. The function of the large intestine is to convert the liquid stool from the small intestine into formed faecal matter.

What is Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a safe and effective method of visualizing the lining of the colon and rectum, using along, flexible, tubular instrument. It is used to diagnose colon and rectum problems (eg. colorectal cancer) and to perform biopsies and remove colonic polyps. Most colonoscopies are done on an outpatient basis with minimal inconvenience and discomfort.

Who should have a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is routinely recommended to adults 50 years of age or older as part of a colorectal cancer screening program. Patients with a personal or family history of colon or rectal cancer or polyps, or inflammatory bowel diseases, may have their colonoscopy at an earlier age. Your doctor may also recommend a colonoscopy evaluation if you have bleeding or blood in stools, positive test for blood in stool (FOBT), change in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort or pain, unexplained weight loss or anaemia. A colonoscopy is also necessary to verify findings of polyps or tumours seen in CT scan or barium enema examination.

How is colonoscopy performed?

The bowel must first be thoroughly cleared of all residue before a colonoscopy. Therefore a good bowel preparation is essential. This is done a day or two before the procedure with a preparation prescribed by your doctor.

All patients will receive intravenous sedation, or “twilight sleep” for this procedure. The colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and is advanced to the caecum, the part of the colon where the small intestine joins the colon. During a complete examination of the large intestine, your doctor will remove polyps or take biopsies as necessary.

The entire procedure usually takes about half an hour. After the procedure, there may be slight abdominal discomfort or bloating sensation, which quickly resolves with expelling of gas. Most patients can resume their regular diet and activities the same day. You are advised not to drive for the next 24 hours after the procedure. You can return to work the next day.

What are the benefits of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is more accurate than X-ray or CT scan (virtual colonoscopy) evaluation to detect polyps or early cancer. With colonoscopy, it is now possible to remove polyps without abdominal surgery. Removing polyps early can prevent the development of colorectal cancer.

What are the risks of colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy is a very safe procedure with complications occurring in less than 1% of patients. These complications include bleeding, tear in the intestine (perforation), risks of intravenous sedation and failure to detect a polyp.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/colonoscopy-2955415.html

About the Author

Consultant General Surgeon & Colorectal Surgeon

Nobel Surgery Centre

www.nobelspecialists.com

info@nobelspecialists.com

Manifest Excellence, LLC supports people in improving personal wellness by addressing the five key areas that impact health. They combine over 20 years experience in traditional health promotion with a holistic and comprehensive wellness philosophy. This innovative combination creates effective tools and strategies for creating optimal health and wellness.

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Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP

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Bestselling author, dynamic holistic wellness speaker and wellness luminary Dr. Donna Hamilton, MD, has a mission to help everyone live the healthy, satisfying lives we’re all meant to lead. Dr. Hamilton passionately teaches what being healthy really means and how to do it in a way that fits your unique needs. Her easy, practical tips assist you with assessing the entire wellness landscape and appropriately planning your personal wellness journey.

A wellness thought leader, she champions a comprehensive approach to health by addressing mental, emotional, social, spiritual & physical well-being with a simple and potent message. Her book Wellness Your Way offers a practical strategy to assist readers in creating a happier, healthier life. For more information or to book Dr. Hamilton for speaking engagements visit www.ManifestExcellence.com or www.DonnaHamiltonMD.com

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