Colonoscopy Specialist

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure the GI Specialists of Houston team uses to examine the lining of your rectum and colon (large bowel). It involves inserting a flexible scope (colonoscope) into your rectum and advancing it along the colon to where it joins the small intestine.

The colonoscope has a tiny lighted camera on its end. As your provider inserts it along your rectum and colon, they view images the camera sends on a large screen. They can see the tissues in detail and detect any abnormalities. In some cases, they can perform treatment.

Why would I need a colonoscopy?

You might need a colonoscopy if you have symptoms of a colorectal condition, like colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), that require further investigation. Symptoms that could benefit from examination using colonoscopy include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Chronic or recurring lower abdominal pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Pus and mucus in your stool
• Chronic or recurring rectal pain

If lab tests and a manual exam can’t determine the cause of your symptoms or indicate you have a colorectal disease, a colonoscopy can locate the problem.

Colonoscopy is also the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening.

How does colonoscopy help with cancer screening?

Colorectal cancer screening involves having a colonoscopy at regular intervals to identify polyps in your colon and rectum.

Polyps are mostly harmless growths that sometimes develop in the tissues lining your bowel. You could have polyps and never experience any problems, but occasionally one or more mutate into cancerous growths.

The GI Specialists of Houston team removes any polyps during your colonoscopy screening to ensure they don’t get a chance to mutate. Your provider will advise you on how often you need colorectal cancer screening. If you have no risk factors, you only need screening every 10 years.

What does having a colonoscopy involve?

Your GI Specialists of Houston provider will instruct you on preparing for your colonoscopy. Your bowel and rectum need to be empty and clean, which means not eating the day before your procedure and taking strong laxatives to flush the bowel.

Before your colonoscopy, you receive a sedative and, if required, an anesthetic. Your provider inserts the colonoscope into your anus, along your rectum, and into your colon. They might remove tissue samples if you have areas of inflammation or other abnormalities. They also remove any polyps. Samples go to the lab for analysis.

To find out more about colonoscopy and its benefits, call GI Specialists of Houston today or book an appointment online.