Perhaps some people are afraid of what they will find if they have something like a colonoscopy done; however, other people simply might not know whether the signs they are experiencing mean they need to have their symptoms evaluated. Many people don’t even know what something like a colonoscopy will prove anyway, so they don’t investigate what it might help them figure out about their overall health.
To begin, because many people don’t know what a colonoscopy is and why it is used, an explanation is necessary. A colonoscopy takes about 30 minutes and allows doctors to see inside the colon and rectum. Consequently, doctors are looking for polyps, which are abnormal growths, because they could be cancerous. To search for polyps, a doctor inserts a colonoscope into the colon. The colonoscope is a small tube with a camera on the end of it, which allows the doctor to check for polyps.
Now that you understand better what a colonoscopy is, you might be interested to know what signs indicate that you might need a colonoscopy as soon as possible. Compiled below are the most typical signs that alert someone as to whether they should consider getting a colonoscopy before it is too late. Becoming familiar with these signs might help your doctor detect severe illness before it becomes tragic.
4. Rapid weight loss.
Dropping a few pounds usually isn’t such a bad thing, but when weight loss is rapid and unexplained, it could be a sign of bowel or colon cancer. For example, the Daily Mail reported on a woman who thought her rapid weight loss was due to achieving a healthier lifestyle. However, she came to find out that the reason she was losing weight so quickly was because she had developed bowel cancer.
Often, significant, quick weight loss is associated with cancer, but it is more associated with colon and stomach cancers.
Also, you might have questions about what rapid weight loss means exactly. Is it 5 pounds, 15, 20? Research has shown that a dramatic weight loss of 10 pounds or more could be a warning sign indicating that you need a colonoscopy. To illustrate, researchers believe that weight loss occurs because either the cancer cells are taking up a lot of energy or the cancer changes the way the body converts food to energy.
3. Changes in bowel movements.
Additionally, any change in your bowel movements could indicate that you need a colonoscopy. Diarrhea, constipation, narrowed stool, and other changes in bowel habits are often signs that could be investigated with a colonoscopy. For example, if a growth becomes very large, it could block the bowel. As the bowel is blocked, you might experience abdominal pain that comes in waves.
If you do not pay attention to whether there are changes in your bowel movements, you might consider being more aware. This simple step could make it easier for you to identify the most important signs that you need a colonoscopy. For instance, if you do have a growth that is blocking the bowel, catching it early could mean the difference between needing or not needing surgery.
2. Recurrent unattributed pain in the stomach.
Another common symptom that might require a colonoscopy is unattributed pain in the stomach or abdomen. Also, if the pain you experience is due to cancer that is partially blocking the colon, then it could be accompanied by bloating, cramping, and nausea. On the other hand, if the pain you are experiencing is from cancer itself, then the pain may be localized to a specific region of the abdomen. In addition, the abdominal pain may come in waves.
If you have frequent abdominal pain, it may not be that you need a colonoscopy. Although, if you have experienced rapid weight loss, changes in bowel movements, and blood in the stool, then you might strongly consider getting a colonoscopy. Because abdominal pain is a common complaint among most people, without the other symptoms it can be hard to determine whether you need a colonoscopy.
1. Blood in the stool.
Perhaps the most alarming symptom, blood in the stool can also be a reason to get a colonoscopy. Often, blood in the stool due to problems in the colon is misinterpreted as being associated with hemorrhoids. Many people with hemorrhoids see blood in their stool because of inflammation of the rectum. Blood in the stool can also be missed because people identify it as red-colored food, like beets or tomatoes, instead of blood.
Once there is blood in the stool, however, it is a good idea to address that with your doctor. In many cases, doctors first will test a stool sample to be sure that it is indeed blood in the stool. After blood has been identified without a doubt, most doctors recommend a colonoscopy. However, it is your health, so you probably want to act in your best interest and have a colonoscopy.
Cause for a Colonoscopy
In reality, colon cancer does not have to be life-threatening if it is caught early on. However, colon cancer can be fatal if it has gone on too long. Getting a colonoscopy could identify colon cancer early enough that it can be removed or go into remission through chemotherapy. For this reason, you most likely want to have a colonoscopy done if you exhibit signs and symptoms like rapid weight loss, changes in bowel movements, reccurring and unattributed abdominal pain, and blood in the stool. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about these symptoms and about getting a colonoscopy. Your health could depend on it.