How a Colonoscopy Could Save Your Life

Digestive Diseases Consultants in New Lenox, IL, provide people with several services, which includes a colonoscopy, to examine the tissue of the colon wall for abnormalities like polyps.

What is a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy allows your doctor to examine the lining of your large intestine for abnormalities using an instrument called a colonoscope that's attached to a lens and a light source to display images on a video monitor to your doctor. The thin flexible colonoscope is inserted into your anus and through the rectum and colon.

A colonoscopy screens for colorectal cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Your New Lenox doctor helps prepare you for the preventative measure/diagnostic procedure by restricting your diet. You'll be limited to a clear-liquids only diet and consume large amounts of a special oral laxatives to clean the colon before the 45-minute procedure.

What if the colonoscopy shows something abnormal?

"Approximately 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 50,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening would save at least 30,000 lives each year," according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

If your doctor suspects something abnormal, he/she will take a sample from the colon lining (biopsy) by passing an instrument through the colonoscope. This will enable your doctor to analyze the tissue sample and determine if it's cancerous or something else, like polyps, which are benign abnormal growths that vary in size in the colon.

How are polyps removed?

Your doctor removes polyps by fulguration (burning) or using a wire loop called "snare polypectomy," especially for larger polyps. The colonoscopy procedure requires sedatives but you'll be monitored until most of the effects have worn off.

Would you like to consult a physician about getting a colonoscopy?

Are you interested in learning more about a colonoscopy? Call Digestive Diseases Consultant in New Lenox, IL, at (815) 937-5200 today for more information