Colonoscopy Specialist

Gastro Office Our Services Colonoscopy

Gastro Office

Gastroenterologists located in Hilliard, Ohio and serving residents in the greater Columbus area

Having a colonoscopy isn’t high on anyone’s wish list, but regular screenings can significantly reduce your risk of colorectal cancers. At Gastro Office in Hilliard, Ohio, Krishna Rayapudi, MD, and Rohan Modi, MD offer up-to-date diagnostic tools like colorectal screenings and colonoscopies to find colon cancer in its early stages when it’s more treatable. If it’s time for a colonoscopy, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Colonoscopy Q & A

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure designed to look for abnormalities or issues in your colon and rectum.

Your colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine. It removes water from your digested food. Any remaining material is waste and continues moving through your colon. It eventually passes through your rectum as stools and exits your body through your anus.

During a colonoscopy, Dr. Rayapudi inserts a colonoscope into your anus. This long tube is flexible and has a small camera on the end. As the camera passes through your rectum and colon, he watches for signs of abnormalities or disease.

Why do I need a colonoscopy?

Dr. Rayapudi might suggest a colonoscopy for a variety of reasons.

Colon cancer screening

Most people begin getting regular colonoscopies beginning at age 50, but Dr. Rayapudi makes recommendations based on your health, medical history, and personal risks of colon cancer.

Diagnosing lower gastrointestinal problems

A colonoscopy may be used to diagnose intestinal symptoms, such as:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Low red blood count (anemia)
  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stools

He might also suggest a colonoscopy to investigate changes in bowel habits, such as chronic constipation.

Treating certain conditions

Colposcopies can be used to not only look for signs of disease but also to treat them. Treatments that can be done during a colonoscopy include:

  • Removing growths, called polyps, on your colon’s inner lining
  • Treating bleeding lesions with heat or medication
  • Expanding constrictions using a balloon

Dr. Rayapudi discusses the procedure and various treatment options to prepare you for your colonoscopy.

What can I expect during a colonoscopy?

Dr. Rayapudi provides detailed instructions about what you’ll need to do to prepare for your colonoscopy. These might include a special diet, laxatives, and medication adjustment. This preparation process is essential for emptying your colon so the camera can capture clear images of your colon and rectum.

Your colonoscopy should take between 20-60 minutes, and you’re sedated for comfort. As you lie on your side, Dr. Rayapudi inserts the colonoscope into your rectum. He might expand your colon with air to improve the views of your colon lining.

Immediately following your colonoscopy, you have time to recover from sedation, and then someone drives you home. While you rest throughout the day, you might feel bloated or gassy, but these sensations should pass quickly.

Call Gastro Office or schedule an appointment online today.

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