When Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

Over the past couple decades, colon cancer has really become quite a problem with more and more Americans. This could possibly be due to the baby boomer generation getting into the prime age group for this disease, or it could possibly be a dietary problem that has been an ever increasing issue for quite some time. Let's face it, Americans have horrible eating habits as a whole. I know because I was one of them.

At the ripe old age of 22 I began having terrible stomach cramps and a recurring issue of diarrhea and constipation. After a few weeks I began to become worried that I may have something more serious going on with me, so naturally I signed online and typed in my symptoms into the search box and lo and behold the symptoms I was having were the same as colon cancer!

I immediately set up an appointment with my physician and had all the preliminary tests done to make sure it wasn't some bug or underlying condition that could be cured with a pill. Once all tests were exhausted there was only one more thing to do before he could give me a diagnosis, that was to give me a colonoscopy.

Needless to say I was terrified. I was only 22 years old and just couldn't imagine having cancer at such a young age. I was debilitated by my fears and really couldn't focus on anything else until I knew for sure I was cancer free.

The point I'm getting at here is that the symptoms for colon cancer are the same for other non life threatening diseases such as IBS. My Doctor told me that irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning it was only diagnosed after everything else had been tested, including the colonoscopy.

Luckily, I was cancer free, but for every one person that's given an IBS diagnosis, there is 1 other that's given a cancer one in its place. If you have symptoms, get tested, it shouldn't be an option.

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What is a Colonoscopy?

I bet I can make a good guess and tell you what you are thinking of when you read the term colonoscopy. Well if you are really thinking, what would come to mind is the term "colon." As this usually is spoken of in conjunction with bowel movement and the rectum, you can decipher that a colonoscopy would then involve some form of procedure with this part of a body.

Additionally, making a deeper analysis, one can also break this word apart forming "colon" and "copy" which would then suggest some form of duplication or reproduction of a look-a-like! Well you are indeed on the right track!

Specifically, a colonoscopy is a process in which the colon and the rectum is examined visually. The term "copy" comes into play in this regard if you are able to decipher that as a picture of the colon is made, a duplicate is indeed formed. Exclusively, it is done by utilizing a flexible, thin span to place inside the rectum, making its way to the colon and receiving visuals of its inner walls by way of a camera. Normally, it is able to detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths and ulcers within the colon. This is all in the effort to find out if colon cancer or any abnormalities are present.

The Procedure

A colonoscopy is usually carried out in a hospital or at an outpatient clinic. Right before the colonoscopy is done, the patient is given sedatives and painkillers with an injection in a vein. The patient is placed in a side position, often times on the left side with knees drawn to their chest. The anus is then checked for any blockages with the aid of a lubricated glove.

The colonoscope (also lubricated) is then inserted in the anal passage making its way to the upper colon until the appendix has been reached.

In cases where the colon needs to be opened more for this procedure, the doctor will pump air into the colon, tightly massage the walls of the abdomen and ask the patient to change their position (usually to the right side). Once a tumor or abnormality is found, a portion is taken by way of a biopsy in which treatment is obtained with the help of this sample. Air thereafter is allowed to escape the rectum so as to avoid painful and unpleasant feelings.
Other facts you may find useful about a colonoscopy is that in most cases it will not hurt if the procedure is done in the right way. Additionally, it is an important procedure that should be taken by all who have a family history of colon cancer or have experienced rectal bleeding.

Persons over the age of fifty years are usually encouraged to get a colonoscopy once every five years. If you are scheduled to undertake a colonoscopy, you will usually be given medication to cleanse your colon beforehand, making the doctor's work easier and examination much quicker!

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Are You Afraid to Get A Colonoscopy?

I'm 26 years old and I had to have my first colonoscopy done a few months back. My grandmother had and lost her battle against colon cancer. Of course this made me scared of what they may find but I found the American Cancer Society website useful to help calm down my nerves.

The only thing that you should really dread, if any, is the prep process. The prep time consists of drinking medicines that will help clean out your system. Of course you will not be able to have anything to eat or drink that is solid or has any type of flavor, unless you like broth and jell-o as long as it is not red. You will then spend pretty much all day in the bathroom. While I was prepping I came up with a few ideas to help make the prep time more productive.

Make sure you bring in a book or magazine, move your TV into your bathroom if you have space, use your laptop to play games on the internet or instant message your friends and see if they can guess what you are doing, play a hand-held videogame, if you are a female, paint your toe/ finger nails and wax/ shave your legs and one thing you need to always remember is to MAKE SURE YOU TAKE YOUR PHONE INTO THE BATHROOM. You never know when the moment will hit when you have to "go". After all, it always seems that people call you whenever you are in the bathroom. I hope this will help you with making the prep time a bit easier to deal with.

For information on colonoscopies or to help you better understand the process and learn more about the procedure visit.

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