Colonoscopies in Shelbyville

Maintaining Your Digestive Health

One of the most helpful ways to ensure that your digestive tract is healthy and functioning properly is to undergo a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your gastroenterologist to assess the inside of your colon in order to diagnose and treat digestive health issues.

You may undergo a colonoscopy if you experience:

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Blood, pus, or mucus in stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sudden changes in bowel habits

Colonoscopies are also particularly useful for detecting colon cancer or colon polyps that could become cancerous.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Before the 30-60 minute procedure, you may be asked to fast or restrict your diet for a certain amount of time. At the beginning of your appointment, your doctor will give you medication to help you relax. You will then lie down and your doctor will insert a colonoscope – a long, narrow tube-shaped instrument with a camera – through your rectum to evaluate your colon and search for any abnormalities.

After the procedure is complete, you will likely stay in a recovery room for half an hour. During this time, you may feel cramping or bloating, but this should pass. Once you leave the appointment, you are free to return to your normal diet.