Colonoscopy Doctors Who Are They?

Colonoscopies are routinely preformed by doctors who specialized in Gastroenterology and General Surgery. Both of these specialties include extensive training in the gastrointestinal tract and use of the endoscope to diagnose and treat conditions of the gastrointestianal tract. Colonoscopies are preformed by colonoscopy doctors to treat and prevent colon disease.

For many years the diagnosis and treatment of colon and rectal disease was limited to visualisation of only the last foot or so of the colon. i am sure many have heard scarey tales of people undergoing this procedure in the doctors office bent over a table. this study was known as a rigid sigmoidoscopy. sigmoidoscopy allowed visualisation of the very bottom of the colon and rectum. Although it was much less accurate than current techniques it did allow us to visualize the bottom of the colon and rectum and served us well for many years.

In the late 1970, and advance in technology led to fiber optics that allowed visualization of the entire colon and rectum. We now call this colonoscopy. The study is preformed by inserting a small colonoscope through the anus and passing the scope around the colon allowing us to see the entire colon. Any polyps or colon lesions found at the time of colonoscopy can be painlessly biopsied, remove a small piece of the lesion, or removed. This assists in diagnosis and treatment of colon disease. Many conditions that stumped doctors for years are now readily diagnoses soon after the exam.

This study is routinely carried out with the patient lightly sedated and comfortable throughout the exam. Most have no memory of ther exam at all. The type of sedation used is called iv sedation and is not a general anesthetic. since this is not a general anesthetic a few patients may have some memory of the study.

One of the main reasons to preform colonoscopy is to find and remove asymptomatic colon polyps. Polyps are small growths in the colon and most are entirely asymptomatic, meaning the patient and doctor cant tell thay are present until the colonoscopy is preformed. Colon cancers may arise from these polyps after they have been present for many years so it is important that they be removed to decrease this risk. By taking out these polyps we can reduce the risk and the development of colon cancer. The most beneficial way to treat this malignancy or cancer is to stop it before it ever gets started and the procedure is safe and relatively simple to perform. The use of this study and the subsequent removal of polyps could go far to reduce the risk of this common malignancy.

Indication for colonoscopy include the following, this is by no means a complete list.

Rectal bleeding

Change in bowel habits diarrhea

Chronic abdominal pain

Change in bowel habits diarrhea or constipation

Anemia due to blood loss

Personal or family history of colon polyps

Colon cancer history in the family

Age 50 or greater with no prior colonoscopy and every 10 years thereafter

History of Ulcerative colitis

If you fall into one of these categories you should discuss this with your personal physician and decide if this is right for you. Be assured that this is a safe and simple procedure that can save your life. An important point is that all polyps be removed and that you continue to get colonoscopies until your colon is clear of all polyps. You should continue with surveillance colonoscopies for life. By doing this we will hopefull be able to reduce the risk of colon cancer

I encourage you to discuss this issue with your personal MD. If you live in the Cushing area we are happy to see you and discuss your personal issues with you. Any concerns you have should be discussed with your personal physician and this article is for informational purposes only.

So be sure to get your colonoscopy by a colonoscopy doctor to help you live a long and healthy life.