Colonoscopy Singapore: What are the Signs that you should have a Colonoscopy?

A Open Access Colonoscopy dauphin county pa is a test that allows doctors to see inside the large intestine (colon). A lighted, flexible tube with a tiny video camera on its end is inserted through the anus and slowly advanced up into the rectum and colon.

If you’re considering a colonoscopy in Singapore or you’ve been advised to undergo the procedure, specialists like Dr. Ganesh Ramalingam may give you the green light to proceed with colonoscopy if;

  • There is a need for diagnosis or prevention of cancer or polyps in the lining of the large intestine
  • You’re troubled by chronic diarrhea or bleeding from the large intestines
  • You’re struggling with abdominal pain and bloating

The benefits of having a colonoscopy include:

  • Prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer surveillance. In fact, studies point out that colonoscopy can reduce an individual’s risk of dying of colorectal cancer by significant margins.
  • Diagnostic: Colonoscopy is also used as a diagnostic tool to identify and/or remove abnormal growths such as polyps or tumors from the lining of the large intestine.
  • Treatment: Your doctor may recommend colonoscopy in Singapore to stop bleeding from visible lesions in the colon wall caused by diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or another source.
  • Removal of polyps: For people at an increased risk for colorectal cancer due to a family history of health problems such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, colonoscopies may be recommended more often than other people. If you have bleeding from your rectum, blood in your stool, or if tests show the presence of blood in the lining of your large intestines, you need to have a colonoscopy.
  • Prevention and early detection of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): In IBD cases where steroids don’t work anymore to control inflammation and prevent flare-ups, it is advised to have a colonoscopy to diagnose and treat the condition. Colonoscopies are an effective way of diagnosing Crohn’s disease, as it can be detected early before other symptoms appear.
  • Prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer: Women who are at increased risk for ovarian cancer may benefit from having a colonoscopy. Also, people with the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), an autoimmune disorder that often leads to kidney failure if left untreated, may find that some cases responded well to treatment when diagnosed by colonoscopy.
  • Diagnosis or prevention of polyps in the large intestine: Some people have a higher risk for bowel cancer due to an inherited genetic syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome/hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). If you have been diagnosed with either of these syndromes, your doctor will recommend that you undergo colonoscopy more often than other people. In addition, children younger than age five who experience unexplained abdominal pain need diagnostic testing, which may include colonoscopy.
  • Treatment: A colonoscopy in Singapore may be recommended if a child has chronic diarrhea or is passing blood in their stool. Colonoscopies may also be used to treat colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory bowel diseases if medications are not working.

Who should get a Colonoscopy?

Currently, it is recommended that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin receiving screenings when they turn age 45. People in whom family history poses an increased risk of developing colon cancer should have their first screening earlier than age 45.

Colonoscopies are recommended to people who are considered high-risk because they have had conditions or symptoms suggesting an increased chance of having polyps or colorectal cancer. These suggestions include:

  • Close relatives with known “premalignant” polyps or colorectal cancer
  • Personal history of certain polyps – adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
  • Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or other chronic inflammatory bowel diseases; people with one or more first-degree relatives with IBD
  • Family members who had a “premalignant” colonic adenoma removed during screening, at age 45 years or older. Individuals with FAP and those family members that carry the APC mutation should have their first endoscopy ten years before the earlier diagnosis of colorectal polyps in their families.
  • Personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps; if the person has an inherited syndrome for which screening is recommended (including FAP and Lynch syndrome), that may supersede this category.
  • Chronic diarrhea – particularly in children younger than age 5
  • Bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and/or changes in bowel habits – particularly if blood is present

How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

The scariest part about having a colonoscopy in Singapore may be thinking about all the preparation you need to do for it. However, according to doctors, many people find that the preparation helps them take control of their health, making them feel more involved in the process. Preparing for a colonoscopy involves two parts: prepping your digestive system and getting your muscles to relax. The typical preparation recommendations you can expect from your doctor include;

  • Eating restrictions before the test
  • Drinking a laxative solution
  • Removal of all jewelry from fingers and toes

What are the Risks Associated with Colonoscopies?

Every medical procedure has some risk attached to it. Some people have reported experiencing pain during or after a colonoscopy, which can be treated with medication. Other symptoms that have sometimes been reported include gas pains, nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping, bleeding around the anus (at the opening where the scope exits), fever, ulcers in the mouth or throat, fainting, seizures, heart attack, stroke, memory loss, kidney failure, gallstones, and death.

Final Thoughts on Who Should have a Colonoscopy

There is a lot of bad press surrounding colonoscopies, and they certainly aren’t the most pleasant tests in the world. But when done correctly, they can prevent colorectal cancer – one of the deadliest cancers out there. A colonoscopy is the best way to screen for colon cancer, so if you are at average or high-risk for this disease, according to your medical history, you should have one.

Dr Ganesh (General Surgeon in Singapore) – Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Gastroscopy
Mount Elizabeth, Suite 1 #05 Specialist Centre, 23B, Singapore 329563
+65 6255 1234
https://drganesh.sg