• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • COVID-19 INFO
  • learn More
inSite Digestive Health Care
  • Find a
    location
  • Patient
    Portal
  • Telehealth
  • online
    Bill Pay
  • Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Careers
    • Clinical Research
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • For Patients
    • New Patients
    • Prep Instructions
    • Telehealth
    • Patient Education
    • COVID-19 Precautions
    • Insurances Accepted
    • FAQs
    • Policies
  • Conditions
    • Upper GI Disorders
    • Lower GI Disorders
    • Functional GI Disorders
    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
    • Liver Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
  • Procedures
    • Colonoscopy
    • Upper GI Endoscopy
    • Esophageal Dilation
    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    • Endoscopic Ultrasound
    • Capsule Endoscopy
    • Esophageal Manometry
    • Outpatient Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastronomy
    • Hemorrhoid Therapy
    • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP)
    • Fibroscan
    • Abdominal Pelvic Ultrasound
    • Nutritional Services
    • Telehealth Consultations
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
    • Find a
      location
    • Patient
      Portal
    • Telehealth
    • online
      Bill Pay
  •  

Colonoscopy: The Procedure and How to Prep

May 7, 2021

Colon cancer is a silent and deadly disease. It usually starts when harmless groups of cells known as polyps form inside the colon and turn cancerous. Many patients do not experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease, highlighting the importance of early and regular screenings via colonoscopies.

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for detecting colon cancer. During this procedure, your doctor inserts an instrument called a colonoscope into your rectum to look for abnormal growths in the colon. Here’s what you can expect before and during the procedure.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

Before a colonoscopy, it is necessary to empty your colon to give your doctor an unobstructed view during the exam. They may ask you to take laxatives and follow a strict liquid diet two days before the procedure.

In general, you should refrain from eating fiber-rich foods or supplements. Solid foods are also not allowed. Water, tea, fruit juice, ice pops, and coffee without milk or cream are fine, but avoid dark-colored liquids that might be interpreted as blood. Likewise, do not consume dairy products and alcohol.

Notify your doctor of any medications or supplements that you’re currently taking. You may need to adjust the dosage or temporarily stop your medications a week before the procedure, especially if you’re taking blood thinners, diabetes medications, or anything that contains iron.

Arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after the procedure since you will not be allowed to drive after the test.

On the day of the colonoscopy, it’s best to refrain from eating any solid foods. Stop taking clear liquids two hours before your scheduled test.

During a Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, you will be given a sedative either intravenously or orally to ensure there is minimal discomfort during the procedure. Some patients may prefer to receive no sedation to watch the procedure. You will then lie down on your side with your knees to your chest.

Once you’ve settled, your doctor will insert a lubricated colonoscope into the rectum. The colonoscope is a thin, long tube with a small video camera at the end. The view from inside your colon is transmitted to a nearby monitor, allowing your doctor to see any abnormalities in your digestive structures.

To improve the view transmitted by the colonoscope, your physician may pump air into your colon. If an abnormal growth is detected, such as a polyp, it will be removed and sent to a lab for further analysis.

Removing polyps from the colon effectively reduces your risk of developing colon cancer. Depending on the polyps‘ size and number, you may be asked to undergo a repeat colonoscopy within 3 to 5 years.

The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete. You will be taken to a separate room to recover as the sedative wears off. Once you’re in better condition, your doctor will discuss the results with you. If there are no polyps or abnormal tissue in your colon, you can expect to retake the test in 10 years.

Colonoscopy in California

By detecting and removing polyps before they turn cancerous, a colonoscopy can end up saving your life. If you would like to explore colonoscopy and its alternatives, visit the experts at inSite Digestive Health Care. Our highly skilled gastroenterologists can safely perform colonoscopy and, if necessary, polyp removal. We will also teach you how to take care of your colon through healthy eating habits and lifestyle modifications.

To schedule an appointment, you can choose from our vast network of affiliated clinics across California. If you can’t visit our clinic but would like to check if you’re a good candidate for a colonoscopy, we also offer telehealth services. Give us a call today and allow us to help you protect your colon!

Filed Under: Colonoscopy Tagged With: Colon Cancer screening near me, colonoscopy near me, gastroenterologist California, gastroenterologist near me, gastrointestinal care, GI Clinic in California, GI Clinic near me, gi doctor near me, inSite Digestive Health Care

Primary Sidebar

May 2021
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Apr   Jun »

Categories

  • Anoscopy
  • Blood stool
  • bravo testing
  • Colon cancer
  • Colonoscopy
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Digestive Health
  • EGD Test
  • Endoscopy
  • Enteroscopic Surgery
  • ERCP
  • Fecal Occult Blood Test
  • FibroScan
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Gastroenterology
  • Gastroenterology Clinic
  • General
  • GI Disorders
  • H.Pylori Test
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hepatology
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • manometry test
  • Medications
  • News
  • Nutrition
  • Pill Camera
  • Stool fat
  • Stool Test
  • Telehealth Services
  • Uncategorized
  • Weight Loss

Tags

best gastroenterologist near me Best GI Clinic best gi clinic near me best GI doctor near me best gi specialist near me colon cancer colon cancer diagnosis colon cancer risk Colon Cancer screening Colon Cancer screening near me colonoscopy colonoscopy appointment colonoscopy California colonoscopy in California colonoscopy near me Colonoscopy Prep colonoscopy procedure Colonoscopy Procedure near me Colorectal Cancer Digestive Health digestive health care near me endoscopy California endoscopy in California Endoscopy near me gastroenterologist California gastroenterologist clinic in California gastroenterologist clinic near me gastroenterologist in California gastroenterologist near me Gastroenterologists near me Gastroenterology Clinic Gastroenterology Clinic in California Gastroenterology Clinic near me gastrointestinal care GI care GI Clinic in California GI Clinic near me gi doctor in California gi doctor near me GI specialist in California GI specialist near me Hemorrhoid treatment near me inSite Digestive Health Care Irritable Bowel Syndrome treatment Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy near me

Footer

Our
Blog

Keep up with the latest developments in gastroenterology as well as news about our practice and the events we sponsor.

Learn More

Patient
Education Library

Learn about the symptoms and treatments for some of the most common GI conditions and disorders we treat.

Learn More

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Find a Location
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Patient Portal
  • Telehealth
  • About
  • Our Provider
  • Conditions
  • Services & Procedures
  • For Patients
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Patient Education
  • Locations
  • Request an Appointment
  • Contact Us

Policies

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
  • Aviso de Prácticas de Privacidad
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Financial Policy
  • Return Policy

Resources

  • COVID-19 Precautions
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap
Copyright © · inSite Digestive Health Care · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

inSite Digestive Health Care, now Genesis Healthcare Partners, an affiliate of Unio Health Partners, offers diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal system with locations across all of California.