A colonoscopy can find the cause of digestive symptoms — and it could also save your life. At Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists, with offices in North Wantagh, and South Wantagh, New York, a group of accomplished gastroenterologists works as a team to diagnose and treat colon cancer and other conditions through colonoscopies. Call the nearest office or click on the provided link to make your appointment now.
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which your gastroenterologist views your entire large intestine from the inside. A colonoscope, a tubelike instrument with an attached camera, allows your doctor to check for problems inside your large intestine.
If your doctor discovers polyps — abnormal growths that could develop into colon cancer if untreated — they can be removed during your colonoscopy.
The main reasons to need a colonoscopy include:
A colonoscopy is the most comprehensive method of colon cancer screening. It’s recommended for everyone over the age of 50.
Some people with higher risks of colon cancer, including those who have a family history of the disease or a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, may need to start colon cancer screening in their 30s or 40s.
A major change in frequency of bowel movements, loss of control over bowel movements, or other significant bowel habit changes may indicate a problem within your large intestine. A colonoscopy allows your gastroenterologist to look for the source of these issues.
Digestive symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and unexpected weight loss can occur when you have inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, or some other type of digestive disorder or disease. Colonoscopy can help your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.
Regardless of why you need a colonoscopy, this simple procedure can be an extremely effective path to getting a diagnosis and treatment.
Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists gives you full instructions at least a week before your colonoscopy. You need to stop taking certain medications and supplements a week ahead of time, and your doctor may recommend specific medication changes based upon your prescriptions.
In addition, you should avoid nuts and seeds starting a week before your colonoscopy. The day before your colonoscopy, you start a clear-liquid diet. You can have clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice pops like Popsicles®, and other specific items during this time, but you must avoid all red and purple foods.
You start to empty your bowels using laxative tablets at 3 pm. An hour later, you drink a mixture of a laxative powder and Gatorade or another liquid. Every 30 minutes, you drink more of this preparation until it’s half gone.
From 7-9 pm, you drink a single 8-ounce glass of the powder and liquid mixture every half-hour until it’s gone.
Starting at midnight, you must stop all liquid intake (including water). If you take certain medications, your doctor may tell you to take those pills with a small sip of water. They give you specific directions.
Good colonoscopy prep is key to getting accurate results, so be sure to follow the directions closely.
Click on the provided link or call Long Island Gastroenterology Specialists to schedule your colonoscopy now.