A colonoscopy is a gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. The procedure entails doing a “prep,” which helps empty the bowels completely for accurate viewing. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a lighted, flexible instrument to view the rectum and colon, and check for abnormalities that may point to cancer. Precancerous polyps can also be removed during a colonoscopy. One of the most frequently asked questions about a colonoscopy is how often it should be performed, and the answer ... [Read More]
Colonscopy
What Kind of Doctor Is Best for a Colonoscopy?
The colon, which is the large intestine, is a key part of the digestive system. Its function is to remove water, salt, and nutrients from partially digested food, and to prepare waste for elimination. Your risk of developing colon issues increases with age, and it is now recommended that you have your first colonoscopy at age 45. If you have colon cancer or rectal cancer in your family (grandparent, parent, sibling, or child), then your doctor may recommend that you have your first ... [Read More]
Colonoscopy Prep: Austin Gastroenterology in Central Texas
What Is a Colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive test that is used to discover abnormal growths and disease conditions in the anus, rectum, large intestine, or colon. Done on an outpatient basis, a colonoscopy is an effective tool in screening patients for a variety of GI problems, including colorectal cancer. This malignancy is the third most deadly form of cancer in the United States today according to the Centers for Disease Control. Why Do I Need a Colonoscopy? If you are age ... [Read More]
Bowel Prep: Things to Know
A colonoscopy is a medical test that is utilized to evaluate your colon for pre-cancerous cells, inflammation, and polyps. The colon is the large intestine, but a colonoscopy evaluates the entire tract from your rectum through your intestine. One of the major benefits of a colonoscopy is that it is not only a test but also a preventive measure in which your gastroenterologist can remove any polyps – which can be cancerous or precancerous – that may be found. Before your colonoscopy, there ... [Read More]
Bowel Preparation Needed for a Colonoscopy
Specialists in gastroenterology regularly recommend that patients have a colonoscopy as a diagnostic tool, especially once you reach age 50. A healthcare practitioner may also advise having this test to assess for colon cancer because of certain indicators, vulnerabilities, or family history. Preparation for a colonoscopy has become greatly improved even just over recent years, so it is much less of an ordeal than it was before. Let’s talk about some of the key recommendations for preparing ... [Read More]
