The team at Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants wants you to understand how to maintain a healthy colon. In addition to a healthy diet, you should know when to get a colonoscopy in Houston, TX. There are a few common questions and concerns related to this procedure that you can find the answers to below.

What Is A Colonoscopy?

 The colon is a long and winding tube-like organ. Therefore, medical specialists need a particular way to check its overall health. When you get such a colonoscopy in Houston, TX, the team will use a tube called a colonoscope. It has a video camera attachment that allows doctors to see everything inside your colon. You have to lie down during a procedure, as the instrument must go through your anus and move through your colon for investigation. The investigation will involve a search for abnormalities that may indicate further intervention. Doctors are searching for signs of colorectal cancer, such as polyps. That is why they will remove polyps during this procedure. If they remove polyps, they will perform a biopsy to see if they are cancerous.

Who Should Get One?

 By age 45, people should get regular colon screenings every 5 to 10 years, depending on the findings and your level of risk due to family history. You may want to get one before your next scheduled screening if you're showing signs of problems. Look out for changes in bowel habits, such as excessive constipation or diarrhea. If you're bleeding from the anus, particularly during a bowel movement, you should seek such medical intervention immediately. Excessive weight loss and intense pain in the lower abdomen may also signal problems with your colon that should be checked.

Is It Painful?

 A professional colon screening is not painful. You may be under general sedation to make yourself even more comfortable. Your colon specialist has conducted several of these procedures and knows how to gently insert the instrument into your anal cavity. Sedation allows you to mostly be asleep throughout the procedure and you won't feel anything. However, you can see the activity on the screen if you allow the specialist to use less sedation.

The Houston Digestive Diseases Consultants team wants you to get regular screenings for colon cancer. Our team is always available to perform a colonoscopy in Houston, TX. We have several offices that you can contact in the area. Call the Memorial Hermann Southwest office at 713-777-2555, Smith Tower at 713-796-8627, and Memorial Hermann Greater Heights at 713-796-8627, for an appointment.