WHY YOU MAY NEED TO HAVE A COLONOSCOPY

If your doctor suggests that you undergo a colonoscopy, don’t fret. This procedure helps your doctor investigate GI-related issues and can even help them spot and treat colon cancer and other colon diseases such as colitis early. What can you expect from a colonoscopy and why might you need one? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Dr. Indran Indrakrishnan at Gwinnett Digestive Clinic and GDG Endoscopy Center in Lawrenceville, GA.

What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a pain-free procedure where a long, thin tube-shaped a video camera is inserted into the colon via the anus to visually examine the colon. A GI specialist called a gastroenterologist usually performs this procedure. A colonoscopy usually lasts about thirty minutes and requires the use of an anesthetic to make the patient pain free.

Why would my gastroenterologist suggest a colonoscopy?
Most colonoscopies are performed as part of a standard colon cancer screening. However, colonoscopy can also investigate the cause of questionable GI symptoms such as blood in the stool, a sudden change in bowel habits, stomach pain, or an abnormality in an x-ray or CT scan. If your doctor finds polyps (precancerous lesions)  in the colon, they may remove them using specialized tools inserted through the colonoscope.

What can I expect before, during, and after a colonoscopy?
Before your procedure, you will have specific care instructions which will usually involve drinking clear liquids only and taking a series of laxatives to clear your colon.  You will receive anesthesia medication to go to sleep & remain completely pain-free during this procedure.  After your colonoscopy, you will be monitored in a recovery room until the anesthesia wears off, then have someone else drive you home. You may usually resume your normal activities the next day.

Colonoscopy in Lawrenceville, GA
The American Cancer Society suggests that adults ​over the age of 45 should have a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer. For more information on colonoscopy or its purposes, please contact Dr. Indran Indrakrishnan at Gwinnett Digestive Clinic and GDG Endoscopy Center in Lawrenceville, GA. Call (678) 377-8252 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Indrakrishnan today!