Your first colonoscopy: It’s not that bad.

As if turning 50 wasn’t enough to deal with, that’s when your doctor will start urging you to get a colonoscopy.* And while you’d like to believe your doctor when he/she tells you the procedure is painless, they have an ulterior motive – keeping you healthy, and detecting the early signs of colon cancer.

The idea of a colonoscopy sounds decidedly unpleasant: A long tube with a camera on the end of it inserted into the colon through the rectum. The reality, however, is not so bad. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect.

Step 1: The prep.

The goal of colonoscopy preparation is to completely empty your colon. You’ll take care of the prep at home, in the days before your procedure. Prep methods vary, but usually include:

• A day without solid food. Clear liquids like water, broth and tea are allowed.
• A liquid laxative. After you fast, your doctor will have you drink a laxative solution. The laxative solution will taste better if it’s cold. You may also be able to mix it with sugar-free flavoring powders or a sports drink to make it more palatable; ask your doctor. The laxative, not surprisingly, will induce diarrhea.

Most people find this the most unpleasant part of the colonoscopy experience, but at least it’s familiar – pretty much everyone has had diarrhea at one time or another.

Step 2: The procedure.

Good news: Most colonoscopies are performed while the patient is under sedation. An IV will be inserted, usually in your arm or hand, and medication delivered through the IV. You will most likely remember nothing of the procedure at all. Colonoscopy patients we spoke to said the procedure was “a breeze;” “You wake up and can’t believe it’s all over!”

If the doctor finds any polyps (small growths that could be early signs of cancer), these can be removed during the procedure.

Step 3: The recovery.

You can go home shortly afterward, but since you’ll still be a little groggy from the sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you. You may have gas pains from air inserted into your colon during the procedure (this helps the doctor view the inside of the colon). These pains will pass – literally. And guess what? You probably won’t have to do this again for 5 to 10 years.

You’re done! And here’s why you did it:

• Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
• If detected early, it is one of the most preventable cancers. However, by the time you experience symptoms, it may be quite advanced. That’s why getting screened with a colonoscopy is so important.

Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to schedule your not-so-bad colonoscopy at Covenant HealthCare.

*You may need one earlier if you have certain symptoms or have a family history of colon cancer.

Posted Date: 4/7/2018