
At What Age Should I Get A Colonoscopy – 45 is the new 50! When it comes to colonoscopy, there has recently been a significant change that you will want to be aware of right away.
Due to the recent alarming increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50, an independent expert panel has recommended that people at average risk of the disease start screening tests at age 45 instead of the traditional age of 50.
At What Age Should I Get A Colonoscopy
Thanks to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s release of these new guidelines, many health insurance companies are now allowed to cover the cost of screening at a younger age, including preventive procedures like colonoscopy and stool exams designed to detect colon cancer in its early stages.
Why Everyone Over 50 Should Be Screened For Colorectal Cancer
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to see the entire length of the intestines and rectum. It is the “gold standard” in colorectal cancer because it is the most accurate colon cancer test. It not only detects abnormalities but can eliminate them before they become malignant. This makes colonoscopy a large part of the preventive healthcare system.
A colonoscopy is a procedure used to diagnose and treat ulcers, polyps or cancer in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is also used to investigate the cause of:
The colon, also called the colon or large intestine, is a five-foot-long tubular organ in the abdomen that helps digest food, absorb water, extract salts and nutrients, and process food waste for excretion as stool. The process of moving food through the intestines and out as stool takes 24 to 72 hours.
The intestines also contain 100 trillion “good” bacteria that are essential in the digestive process. These bacteria have many functions, including:
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Of all the colon exams available, colonoscopy is the best for detecting and removing growths or lesions before they become dangerous. Many other types of screening only detect abnormalities after bleeding has started or shows signs of an advanced condition.
This method can provide an accurate diagnosis without taking action. Therefore, colonoscopy is the best option for maintaining colon health.
To prepare for a colonoscopy, you need to do a bowel preparation before the procedure, which removes all traces of feces from the colon. Bowel preparation usually includes medication changes or adjustments. Your doctor may adjust your medications up to seven days before your colonoscopy. At the top of the list are blood thinners, including:
The doctor will put you on a clear liquid diet the day before the colonoscopy. A clear liquid is one you can read a magazine through. These include:
Get A Colonoscopy
One of the most important aspects of bowel preparation is to clear all traces of waste from the colon. This is so that your doctor has an unobstructed view of your bowel and can clearly see any abnormalities. You will be asked to take a laxative or a dilator to flush out any stool. Because of this, you will have diarrhea until your colon is completely emptied.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown when you arrive. You will lie down on an examination table and an intravenous sedative will be given. You will not be aware of what is happening during the colonoscopy or remember anything afterwards.
After the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will insert a colonoscope into your anus and guide it through your bowel. A colonoscope is a flexible tube equipped with a light and camera. It is about five feet long (the length of the colon) and half an inch wide. Air is also introduced to inflate the colon, making its walls more visible.
The colonoscope’s camera sends images to a screen so your doctor can watch a detailed, real-time view of your bowel. The scope also has an attachment that can remove polyps or suspicious tissue for laboratory analysis.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
After the colonoscopy, you will be monitored for an hour or two to make sure everything is okay. You will feel narrow and lethargic. You won’t be able to drive, so you need someone to take you home. This must be someone you know rather than an Uber or taxi driver. You should not drive for about 24 hours after the procedure.
You may feel bloated or cramping afterwards as air is released from your colon. Walking can help get rid of the gas. Don’t be ashamed. The staff knows this is a normal part of the process.
Since your colon is completely empty, it may take your body a few days to produce stool. You may have bowel movements sooner if you eat a lot of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

The preparation you did is very dehydrating. You need to replace the electrolytes and fluids you lost. Since the lining of your colon may be irritated, your doctor may recommend that you drink plenty of fluids and eat soft, bland foods for the first day or two.
Does Health Insurance Cover A Colonoscopy?
After the procedure, avoid spicy food and anything else that could aggravate the bowels. These foods can also increase the nausea you may feel from the anesthesia.
It can’t be said enough – 45 is the new 50. The American Cancer Society now recommends a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45 if you have no risk factors. Risk factors include:
Lowering the recommended age for screening will make vital colon cancer screening available to millions more people in the United States. Hopefully, many more lives will be saved by getting colon cancer earlier, as well as by preventing colon cancer.
Once you start regular screenings, you can usually follow the 10-year schedule until age 75. Then you can go for screening of your choice and stop at age 85. The doctor will advise you on a plan.
Get Your Screening For Colon Cancer
Colonoscopy is something that under no circumstances should be postponed. Colonoscopy not only diagnoses the disease but also prevents cancer because pre-stage polyps can be removed during the procedure. Detailed and accurate, it is an unparalleled type of colon screening. If you are 45 years of age or older and have never had a colonoscopy, our experts will discuss it in depth with you and dispel any concerns you may have about the procedure.
Contact us today! The staff at GastroMD looks forward to working with you. We are one of the leading gastroenterology practices in Tampa Bay. We perform a wide range of diagnostic procedures using the latest equipment in a friendly, comfortable and inviting atmosphere where patient care is always our top priority! Screening for colonic polyps provides important insight into the health of your digestive system and early. colon cancer detection. Still, do you know when to have a colonoscopy?
I had a colonoscopy in November and I am here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about when you have a colonoscopy. You are not awake during the procedure and do not feel anything. Yet many people avoid having a colonoscopy. In fact, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 50 and 75 have never had a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Colon cancer is preventable and screening for colon polyps with colonoscopy is essential for early detection.
What It’s Like Getting A Colonoscopy In Your 20s
I’ll tell you about colon polyps, why we develop them, and a functional medicine approach to preventing them from forming in the first place. First, let’s discuss when to have a colonoscopy.
Regular screening for colon polyps can find them when they are small, have not spread, or before they turn into cancer. Colonoscopy can also diagnose Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis (inflammation of the bowel), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
In the past, it was recommended that everyone between the ages of 50 and 75 should have a regular colonoscopy. The American Cancer Society recently lowered this recommendation to 45 because of the increasing incidence of colon cancer among people younger than 50.
If you are at average risk of colon cancer or have no family history, the ACS recommends:
Colorectal Cancer Screenings Should Start At Age 45, According To The American Cancer Society
If you are at higher risk, the ACS recommends that screening may need to start before age 45 and may require more frequent screening or more extensive testing. I will talk about some of the tests we use in functional medicine later.
A person at high risk is someone with a family or personal history of colon cancer or someone with a history of IBD or Crohn’s disease. You should talk to your doctor if you are at high risk.
The preparation was the most challenging for many and for me. Everyone I spoke to as I was preparing for my first routine colonoscopy told me that the preparation was the hardest part.
One of the most important ways to ensure a successful colonoscopy is to empty the contents of the bowel. If you haven’t done the prep work, polyps and ulcers may be missed during the colonoscopy, or it may take longer.
Everything You Need To Know About Colonoscopies
I started eating a low-fiber diet a few days before, which meant I couldn’t eat whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or raw fruits and vegetables. Note: I don’t eat whole grains because they contain gluten, which is
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