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<br><br>Seventy-two percent of people say they would avoid or delay having a colonoscopy, according to a recent survey by Merck Manuals. And while no one would say that having a long, flexible tube inserted into the rectum is fun to screen for colon cancer or conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the process has become simpler (especially the dreaded preparation), and the reward is huge.
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Seventy-two percent of people say they would avoid or delay having a colonoscopy, according to a recent survey by Merck Manuals. And while no one would say that having a long, flexible tube inserted into the rectum is fun to screen for colon cancer or conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the process has become simpler (especially the dreaded preparation), and the reward is huge. "With most cancer screening tests, you are trying to find cancer in its early stages," says Charles Kahi, MD, a gastroenterologist and visiting professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. "But with a colonoscopy, we can find precancerous polyps in the inner lining of the colon and remove them during the procedure, so the test can really prevent the development of cancer in the first place." A 2018 study by Dr. Kahi and his colleagues found that a colonoscopy reduced the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 61 percent. Another advantage of a colonoscopy is that it does not have to be repeated often, unlike most other screening tests. If you get a clear result (no polyps), you may not need to repeat the exam for 10 years, depending on your medical and family history.
Do you think you are too young to care? "We see more people in their 30s and 40s, including younger women who are the image of health, who are diagnosed with not just [colon] cancer but advanced cancer," says Dr. Kahi. In fact, an estimated 49 people under the age of 50 will be diagnosed every day this year with what is known as early-onset colorectal cancer. Here's what you need to know about the test, including why you might need one sooner than you think.
The preparation • The key to a successful colonoscopy is making sure your doctor can take a good look at every inch of your colon, and that means drinking a laxative solution and following certain dietary restrictions so your insides are squeaky clean. The process gets a bad rap, in part thanks to a bad-tasting liquid that is no longer used. The new drinks taste better, you don't need to drink as much, and you can usually drink the laxative in two sessions.
The prep process for cheap colonoscopy in Los Angeles can begin five to seven days before the procedure, so be sure to read the instructions ahead of time, says Natalie Cosgrove, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. One of the most common mistakes patients make is waiting until the last minute to read the prep instructions, at which point they may realize they've done something wrong and need to reschedule the test, she says.
Not all hospitals or doctors recommend the exact same approach, so read your doctor's guidelines at least 10 days before your procedure and follow them carefully. They will most likely recommend that you stop taking over-the-counter fiber supplements and antidiarrheal medications and supplements that contain iron and vitamin E and stay away from slow-digesting, high-fiber foods that can stay in the colon (such as beans, seeds, multigrain bread, salad, fresh or dried fruits and vegetables) several days to a week before the colonoscopy. They will also recommend that you arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after the procedure, as you will be given anesthesia or some type of sedation.
The day before the procedure of low cost colonoscopy in Los Angeles, you cannot eat solid foods or consume alcohol, but you should drink enough clear liquid, such as water, apple or white grape juice, broth, and coffee or tea (no milk or cream), to stay hydrated. . And you will probably start drinking the laxative at 6 p.m. It works by bringing water into the intestines, which triggers numerous watery stools. You're going to go a lot, so don't leave home. (The solution also contains electrolytes to prevent dehydration.) At some point, the things that come out will become clear, but don't stop drinking until the solution is completely finished. “Patients think they are ready when they have clear diarrhea, but stool may [still] remain in the colon. You have to drink it all unless your doctor says you can stop, ”says Dr. Cosgrove. You should refrain from eating or drinking anything for two hours before the procedure.
The Proof • The whole process of inexpensive colonoscopy in Los Angeles– registering for the procedure, meeting with your anesthesiologist or doctor, and placing an IV – can take a couple of hours, but the procedure itself usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, or sometimes longer, if you have polyps. That need to be removed. During the procedure, your doctor uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end to examine your colon. To remove most polyps, you can use a contractile wire loop to surround them and separate them from the colon wall. Sometimes an electric current is used with the lead, depending on the size of the polyp. “Most people come out of anesthesia and don’t even realize that they have already had the procedure,” says Dr. Kahi.
He may cramp afterward because the doctor pumps air into the colon to see the tissue more clearly. But serious complications are rare. Three out of 10,000 procedures result in a perforated colon, and eight out of 10,000 tests that include removal of polyps cause bleeding – problems that are almost always treated promptly and effectively, Dr. Kahi says. Due to the anesthesia, he will be a bit confused for the rest of the day, so he should not try to work or make important decisions. You’ll be hungry too, but stick with easy-to-digest foods like scrambled eggs, applesauce, or well-cooked vegetables. And drink plenty of water and broth or a sports drink to restore fluids and electrolytes.
New thinking about detection • In response to the early-onset trend, the American Cancer Society revised its guidelines in 2018 to say that all people should be screened for colon cancer, either through a colonoscopy or a stool test, at 45 years, five years earlier than recommended above. • Not all doctors or medical organizations agree to the change for free colonoscopy in Los Angeles. "We end up doing a lot of screening and [proportionally] we don't find that many cancers," says Dr. Kahi. (The American Gastroenterological Association recommends that people at average risk begin screening at age 50.) So talk to your doctor about what is best for you. You may want to start screening at age 45 if you have any lifestyle-related risk factors associated with colon cancer, for example, if you smoke or drink, or if you are inactive or on a low-fiber diet and high in fat. You will want to know if there is a family
history of colon cancer or polyps. "If you have a first-degree relative who had colon cancer, begin screening 10 years before the age of the relative was diagnosed or when the relative is 40, whichever comes sooner," says Jennifer Maratt, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Because African Americans are at increased risk for early-onset colon cancer, the American College of Gastroenterology suggests they begin screening at age 45. • And, at any age, if you have blood in your stool, ask your doctor for a test. “It used to be that we didn't care much about bright red blood in a young person because it is often associated with hemorrhoids. However, given the increasing incidence of colon cancer in younger people, we have become more vigilant and offer a colonoscopy to anyone who experiences bleeding, regardless of blood color, ”says Dr. Kahi. Other possible symptoms of colon cancer to report to your doctor: Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort or changes in the consistency of your stool. But everyone with a colon is at risk of developing colon cancer, says Dr. Kahi: "Everyone should be screened by age 50 at the latest."
DIY Test • If you do not have worrisome symptoms or lifestyle or genetic risk factors for colon cancer, there is a simpler test that does not involve prep days or downtime and is usually covered by health insurance. Known as Cologuard, all it requires is a small poop sample (you can get the test kit from your doctor or online through a telemedicine provider), which you mail to a lab, so technicians from discount colonoscopy in Los Angeles can verify the presence of blood and changes in its cells. 'DNA associated with colon cancer or precancer. If the test is positive, you will need a colonoscopy. If you don't find anything, you can wait three years before repeating it. But keep in mind that the test is not as effective as a colonoscopy. A clinical study of nearly 10,000 people published in 2014 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that Cologuard detected 92 percent of colonoscopically detected cancers and only 42 percent of suspected polyps. So if you have any symptoms - bleeding, stool changes, swelling, or unexplained weight loss - ask your doctor about a colonoscopy, even if you've had a negative stool test, Dr. Kahi says.
About Us • Los Angeles Gastroenterology Group is the home of affordable excellence in colonoscopy. We offer accurate and reliable endoscopic examinations including colonoscopy under the exacting standard of our fully accredited and licensed surgery center. Having performed well over 150,000 endoscopic procedures since 1996, we really do know colonoscopy!!! • Website - https://www.lagastro.net/
