When you are in need of a colonoscopy in Allentown, New Tripoli and Lehighton, PA, gastroenterologists, Dr. Ahmed Hasan, Dr. Andrew Schwartz and Dr. Mahreema Jawairia of Lehigh Gastroenterology Associates provide this and many other services and procedures.
There are many reasons why a colonoscopy might be the procedure that your gastroenterologist recommends. But even if you do not have any symptoms of digestive system issues, you may want to contact the doctor on your own if you are at high risk for colon cancer or are 45 years of age or older and have not had your baseline colonoscopy yet.
You are considered to be at high risk for colorectal cancer if you have a family history of the disease and either you or a close family member has had the disease or colorectal polyps. If this happens to be the case, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy even earlier than the recommended age of 45.
After your initial colonoscopy, you will be placed on a regular schedule to receive continuing care. If nothing is found, it will likely be 10 years. If something is found, it will depend on the seriousness of what is found, but every three to five years is normal if you have a polyp.
A colonoscopy is a lifesaver when it comes to diagnosing colorectal cancer, which is what most people think of when they think of what a colonoscopy is for. But, it is a very important diagnostic tool that your gastroenterologist may want to use to help with other conditions that are difficult to diagnose without having a look inside your colon.
If you have had unexplained pain in your bowels, blood in your stools, uncontrollable diarrhea or constipation. Some of the conditions that your gastroenterologist will be looking for are Crohn's disease, ulcerated colitis, IBS and diverticulitis. These are all serious conditions that require care if you are suffering from them.
A colonoscopy is performed under sedation provided by a trained anesthesia provider and is not painful. The prep that you need to go through before the procedure to clean out your bowels is not pleasant but is necessary. The colonoscopy is done with a flexible tube with a light that allows your gastroenterologist to see what is going on inside your colon. A loop is used to remove any polyps that are found, and they will be sent out for analysis.
Contact Dr. Hasan, Dr. Schwartz, or Dr. Jawairia of Lehigh Gastroenterology Associates when you are due for or in need of a colonoscopy in Allentown, New Tripoli and Lehighton, PA. Use the form on our website or give us a call at (610) 379-0443 to make an appointment.