Author: Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids treatment

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options

Not only are hemorrhoids a painful and frustrating health condition, many patients feel unnecessarily ashamed about this common problem, which can lead to delaying treatment, remaining uninformed, or both. This is not good, because a bad case of hemorrhoids can affect your quality of life and impede you from doing what is important to you. Luckily there are many ways to treat them, both at home and at the doctor. Here are some tips for easing the pain through self treatment, as well as a few options for treatment in the doctor’s office.

Managing hemorrhoids at home:

  • Try not to use toilet paper when you go to the bathroom, as it can scratch and irritate your hemorrhoids, making the pain worse. Instead, try using baby wipes or cotton. If you have to use toilet paper, consider moistening it first. Whatever the case, be gentle and careful.
  • When you go to the bathroom, try not to force it out. If you are constipated, just wait until you feel like you can go. If you try to force it, you can inflame your hemorrhoids. Likewise, when you need to go, never hold it, as this can have equally painful and detrimental effects. Instead, listen to your body and do whatever feels most natural.
  • Wear loose underwear. The looser and softer your underwear, the less likely it will be that they irritate you or make you itch. It is especially important that your underwear stay loose because this allows you to air out and prevents sweat from accumulating and causing you to chafe.
  • Consider painkillers. While this will not necessarily help your hemorrhoids go away, it will improve your quality of life and make the treatment stage more bearable. Just take care not to ignore flare-ups by medicating yourself every time it hurts.
  • This may seem like a no brainer, but it is important not to scratch when you grow itchy. This can inflame your hemorrhoids and cause both the pain and itching to worsen.
  • Using a topical cream, ice, or frequent warm baths (especially immediately after a bowel movement) can lighten pain and ease swelling. Furthermore, washing yourself (gently) from time to time can be helpful, as it is of the utmost importance to stay clean.
  • Diet can affect hemorrhoids for the better and for the worse. The best diet during a bout of hemorrhoids is one that is high in fiber, as well as water. Eating healthy can help you stay healthy and comfortable in more ways than one.
  • If sitting on hard surfaces is painful, consider placing a pillow beneath you when sitting for long periods of time.

Surgical and other procedural options:

  • Rubber band ligation. This type of treatment involves small rubber bands being placed around your hemorrhoids, which, in a few days, will cause them to shrivel and fall off. This is one of the least intrusive treatments, but it can cause light bleeding.
  • Chemical treatment. This option involves a doctor injecting chemicals into your hemorrhoids which, in time, cause them to shrink and disappear. While this option is mostly painless, it has a slightly lower success rate than other options.
  • Coagulation. Coagulation involves using heat from a laser or infrared light to harden and remove hemorrhoids. This is another less intrusive option, but is associated with a somewhat higher rate of recurrence than the others.
  • Surgery. This is the most intrusive option, and may require some time to recover, but it is also the most effective way of removing all hemorrhoids and preventing them from coming back. The doctor will use a variety of methods to completely remove all excess tissue. While this method can be painful, most of the pain treatment options above can be used to mitigate the pain during recovery.

Is trouble with Hemorrhoids affecting your life? Surgical Specialist of Long Island can help. Visit us online today to learn more about your treatment options.

Why Colonoscopies and Sigmoidoscopies are Important

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

colonoscopy

Why Colonoscopies and Sigmoidoscopies are Important

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” goes the old saying. When it comes to medicine, this is certainly the case. And of course, the value of this prevention is much more than merely fiscal: catching potential problems early can help add years to your life while enhancing your quality of living. Getting regular colonoscopies according to your doctor’s medical recommendations is a great example of this concept in action. According to the American Cancer Society,  the average 5-year relative survival rate for colon cancer is roughly 90% as long as the disease is detected in its early stages. When colon cancer is discovered at a more advanced stage, however, that survival rate drops drastically. In fact, colorectal cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

As you are probably already aware, colonoscopies (along with the related, but less invasive procedure known as sigmoidoscopies) represent the most effective way of detecting early-stage colon cancer. In fact, because colon cancer takes quite a while to develop to a dangerous stage, regular colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies can oftentimes detect potential problems while they are still in their benign (non-cancerous) stage. These as-of-yet harmless growths, known as polyps, can be removed very non-invasively, thus drastically reducing the patient’s chance of ever developing colon cancer in the first place.

Here are a few important facts about colonoscopies that every patient should know:

  • Typically, doctors recommend that patients receive just one colonoscopy every ten years, starting at age 50. However, doctors also recommend that patients receive a sigmoidoscopy space out every five years in between their colonoscopies, also starting at age 50. Depending upon individual factors such as medical history, family history, and personal risk factors, however, doctors may recommend that colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies be performed on a different schedule. This is why regular medical checkups are important.
  • 24 hours before receiving a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, patients are required to undergo a preparation process. This generally involves a liquid diet, laxatives, and, in some cases, enemas.
  • Patients may be given medication to facilitate sleep and relaxation
  • Doctors check for potential problems using a special camera that observes in inside of the colon. This technology is designed to be as non-invasive as possible, and every measure is taken to protect patient’s privacy.
  • Colonoscopies generally take around 30 minutes, while sigmoidoscopies may take only 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Colonoscopies are usually performed by a gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon. Sigmoidoscopies can also be performed by general practitioners.
  • Small polyps discovered during these procedures can usually be removed on the spot without further complications.
  • Although minor discomfort can persist after the procedure, this is unusual. More serious complications can occur in rare cases, but are highly unlikely.
  • Upon receiving a colonoscopy, patients will need to arrange to be driven home due to the lingering effects of sedation. After a sigmoidoscopy, on the other hand, patients are generally able to go about their day with no lasting effects whatsoever.

In brief: although the thought of receiving a colonoscopy may seem unpleasant or intimidating, it is one of the simplest choices you can make in order to improve your long-term health outlook.

Of course, it is important to understand that these facts are, in a certain sense, generalizations: in order to understand the best course of preventative action for your own healthcare, it is imperative that you speak personally with a health care professional. If you live in the Long Island area, we recommend that you get in touch with us here at Surgical Specialists of Long Island. Our dedicated team will work with you in order to develop the post effective and personalized healthcare strategy available.

Quick Facts about Colon Cancer

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Quick Facts about Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths here in the United States–yet, when discovered early enough, it is also one of the most treatable forms of cancer. This sad paradox underscores the importance of learning about this disease. Taking a few minutes to understand the basic facts about colon cancer could one day save your life or the life of a loved one!

Symptoms.

In many cases, colon cancer does not begin to demonstrate symptoms until it has already progressed to a fairly advanced stage. This is why regular screening, (which will be discussed more in-depth later in this article) is very important. However, it is also important to understand which symptoms are potentially related to colon cancer. They include sudden changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, dark stool, cramping, weakness, fatigue, and/or unexplained weight loss. A perceived necessity to make a bowel movement that cannot be relieved by even after doing so is another potential sign of bowel cancer.

It is important to realize that most people who experience these symptoms do not, in fact, have bowel cancer. However, they can potentially be a sign of cancer, and other times they are signs of other conditions. (Not to mention the fact that they can be troublesome in their own right!) Therefore, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is probably a good idea to seek out medical care.

Risk Factors.

Men, African American’s, and people over the age of 50 are all at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. However, it is important to understand that these are just generalizations–colon cancer can (and routinely does) affect many people regardless of age gender, and ethnicity. Here are a few more important risk factors.

  • Family or personal history of colon or rectal cancer.
  • A personal or family history of ovarian, endometrial, and/or breast cancer.
  • A history of polyps in the colon or rectum
  • A history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
  • Obesity and/or a sedentary lifestyle
  • Certain dietary factors and lifestyle choices, such as high intake of red meat, processed meat, and/or alcoholic beverages.

The Importance of Regular Screenings

Most doctors recommend that patients begin receiving regular screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50. If you have a high risk factor for developing colon cancer, however, your doctor may advise that you begin screening earlier, or that you receive screening at an extra frequency.

So why exactly is screening so important? To begin, when colon cancer is found early, before it has spread, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. The later colon cancer is identified, the lower those numbers drop. Moreover, as mentioned before colon cancer is often quite advanced by the time it actually begins producing symptoms. This means that being proactive about identifying colon cancer could very well save your life. For most people, screenings will mean a colonoscopy.

Treatment

The most common treatment for colon cancer of all stages is surgery. This surgery known as a colectomy, consists in the removal of part of or all of the colon. Depending on individual factors, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may also be necessary.

Surgical Specialist of Long Island

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms associated with colon cancer, (or if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with any stage of colon cancer) please consider Surgical Specialist of Long Island. Dr. Tara Martinez and our experienced staff specialize in the minimally invasive colorectal surgery–and we treat a number of other anorectal conditions as well. Visit us online today to learn more.

The importance of Colon Health (And What You Can Do To Promote A Healthy Colon)

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

The importance of Colon Health

(And What You Can Do To Promote A Healthy Colon)

 

Though the role it plays is not the most glamorous, the colon is extremely important for our overall health and well-being. This hollow tube shaped organ, which comprises the last five feet of the digestive tract, is made up of muscles that move digested food via a process known as peristalsis. The most important functions of the colon are absorbing water, electrolytes, and vitamins from our food—as well as preparing and storing fecal waste matter.

 

Common Colon Ailments

Why is colon health so important? The colon facilitates both nutrition and the removal of dangerous toxins from the body. When the colon is unable to perform these functions effectively—or when the colon itself is ill—a number of serious health issues can arise. This includes colitis, ileitis, diverticulitis and—of course—colon cancer.

 

Simple Steps Towards Better Health

            So what can you do in order to improve your colon health and avoid the problems discussed above? Here are a few easy measures you can take:

 

  • Ensure Adequate Fluid intake. Dehydration can lead to a number of colon issues by causing beginning constipation—which, over extended periods of time, can lead to even greater problems. Though the recent health fad that encourages people to drink as much liquid as possible is perhaps rather exaggerated, it is important to make an effort to drink at least a couple glasses of water per day. It is also helpful to consume water rich fruits and vegetables—which also tend to be rich in fiber. This brings us to our next point…
  • Get Lots of Fiber. Fiber—both soluble and insoluble—helps the body maintain a regular digestive function by aiding the movement of waste products and improving the absorption of nutrients.
  • Chewing Food Well. It sounds almost silly, but many people simply do not chew their food as well as they should. This leads us to eat more (because we get less satisfaction out of what we eat) and it causes the entire digestive system to work harder.
  • Get regular colonoscopies. It might not sound fun but it´s important. Read on to learn more.

 

Colorectal Cancer By The Numbers

            Colorectal cancer presents a sad paradox. It is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths, yet it is also one of the most curable forms of cancer. Here are a few of the most important statistics regarding colorectal cancer.

 

  • Excluding skin cancers colorectal cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US.
  • 1 in every 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point in their lives.
  • Only 50% of the people who should be getting regular screenings for colon cancer are receiving the exams they need.
  • When colorectal cancer is detected early the survival rate is over 90%. This number drops dramatically the later the cancer is detected.
  • Polyps (the preliminary clump of cells that can eventually develop into cancer) can exist in the colon for over a decade before causing harm. Regular colonoscopies can allow for the detection and removal of polyps before they cause problems.

 

For more important health information visit the Surgical Specialist of Long island Blog!

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Colorectal Cancer Screening

 

“Screening saves lives.”

 

It is so much more than just a mantra repeated by posters and nonprofits – it is the literal truth.  And just in case you are one of the 6% of Americans affected by colon cancer, catching it early will make a world of difference not only by greatly improving your outcome of survival, but also by allowing yourself a fighting chance to circumvent the pain and loss of quality of life that comes with this unfortunate disease.

Defend yourself, defend your diet, your enjoyment of family meals, the normality of your visits to the toilet with these preventative measures of regular screening.

 

Undergoing professional screening is key, because colon cancer is one of those things that doesn’t really show symptoms until it is well developed in the body.  Symptoms include changes in bowel movements, blood in the stool, bloating, gas, weight loss, and fatigue.

What the various methods of screening for colorectal cancer have in common is that they are all methods of searching for things called “polyps.”  Polyps are small growths that can appear in the colon.  Some polyps, such as hyperplastic polyps are completely benign, while others have the potential to develop cancer.

 

Three Common Screening Methods:

The first and least invasive test is a “FOBT”, or a High-Sensitivity Fecal Occult Blood Test.  Patients will be given a kit to take home, as this is a stool test.  The sample will be returned to our office and checked for any faint traces of “heme”, which is a component of the blood protein hemoglobin.  If the stool tests positive for heme, then this is a good indicator that further testing is needed, as both polyps and colorectal cancers can bleed.  

 

The most well known method of screening is through a Colonoscopy.  This is an involved procedure in which the entire rectum is examined.  Any abnormal growths can also be removed with this procedure.  

Though the suggestions may vary from patient to patient, preparation for a colonoscopy always begins at least 24 hours before the procedure.  The general idea in preparing for a colonoscopy is to clean out your colon.  This will allow the doctor optimal ability to view, detect, and remove abnormalities.  A clear liquid diet of water, tea, and broth are standard the day before your procedure.  Laxatives are also helpful.  Most patients receive some form of sedation during the colonoscopy.  

 

The third most common screening method is a Sigmoidoscopy.  In this test, the doctor utilizes a flexible lighted tube with the tiniest of cameras for viewing and a tool for removing tissue.  The rectum up through the sigmoid colon are examined with this tiny lens.  A bit of air is pumped through the colon the expand it, allowing the doctor to see what she needs to see in order to address any possible issues.  The lower colon must be free of any stool before undergoing sigmoidoscopy, but overall, this is a less involved procedure than a colonoscopy.  Patients are not usually sedated for sigmoidoscopy.

 

After breast cancer, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Though it can occur at any age, it is most common in patients over the age of 50.  Studies have shown that receiving colonoscopy reduces colorectal cancer-related deaths by about 60 – 70%.

With regular screening tests, including colonoscopies, this cancer can not only be detected, it can also be prevented.  

March is Colon Cancer Awareness month, so do yourself a favor: Stay one step ahead and schedule a screening today.

 

Call today for a free consultation, (631)257-5533.

Hemorrhoids: Avenues of Treatment

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Hemorrhoids: Avenues of Treatment

Hemorrhoids are a fairly common problem solvable through various avenues of treatment that are based on the individual as well as the severity and type of the hemorrhoids.  In this article, we will be exploring different types of hemorrhoids their causes, and their according paths to wellness.

 

What causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids have several contributing causes, the most common being repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Straining inhibits blood flow into and out of these areas, resulting in the pooling of blood and the enlargement of vessels.  For this reason, a severe case of constipation or diarrhea can also lead to a case of hemorrhoids. Additionally, pregnant women are at increased risk of developing hemorrhoids because of the pressure that is placed on these veins by the uterus.

Different Classifications of Hemorrhoids: 

 To start with, there are two types of hemorrhoids based on location: Internal and External.

Internal Hemorrhoids:  Internal hemorrhoids occur as a result of veins in the anus swelling and breaching the anal wall.  Though they will typically not cause you pain, you will be alerted to them by the presence of blood when you go to the bathroom. Generally, internal hemorrhoids are not regarded as having the same severity as external hemorrhoids.  However, please note that symptoms associated with internal hemorrhoids are similar to symptoms of colon cancer and other diseases of the digestive system. We recommend that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, that you discuss with Dr. Martinez, as she specializes in the treatment of Colon and Rectal Cancers, Anal cancers, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Diverticular Disease.

 

External Hemorrhoids: What often comes to mind when we think of hemorrhoids are the external kind – which are oftentimes painful and prone to irritation and itching.  These types of hemorrhoids are visible outside the anal sphincter, and the physical symptoms associated with them are hard to miss.  As with internal hemorrhoids, you may notice blood on toilet paper or in the toilet when using the bathroom.  You may also notice itching or painful lumps around the anus that feel as if they are swollen.   If you experience these symptoms persistently, you should schedule an appointment.

Medical professionals commonly use the below classification system to classify the severity of the hemorrhoids:

1st Degree Hemorrhoids – Internal hemorrhoids that will bleed but are not in a prolapsed state.

2nd Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and are prolapsed, but will go back to their original state without medical intervention.

3rd Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and are prolapsed – need to be pushed back.

4th Degree Hemorrhoids – Will bleed and prolapsed and cannot be pushed back.   It is recommended that you consult with the doctor if you are experiencing 4th degree hemorrhoids.

 

Treatment Options:

Again, depending on the type of hemorrhoid, different treatments are available after diagnosis.  If it is deemed that medical intervention is needed, then these fixative procedures can often be performed the same day by Dr. Martinez to alleviate your symptoms immediately.

Fixative Procedures for Hemorrhoid Treatment:

Injection: Internal hemorrhoids can be injected with a solution, which creates a scar and closes off the hemorrhoid to circulation, thus eliminating it.

Banding. Prolapsed hemorrhoids are often removed using a rubber-band method to cause ligation.

Coagulation or cauterization.

   Surgery.

These procedures vary in their methods, but have in common one objective: to disrupt the blood supply to the hemorrhoid and thus eliminate it from the body.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to avoid straining during bowel movements by keeping your stool soft.  Below are some tried and true methods to maintaining soft stool so you won’t have to strain.

Fiber: Fiber is found naturally in many different foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Beans are also an excellent source of fiber.  Increasing fiber in your diet will soften the stool and increase its bulk, which will help you avoid the need to strain during bowel movements.

 Fluids:  Drinking 6 – 8 glasses of water each day is an easy way to help keep stools soft.

Urgency: Waiting on a bowel movement when you feel the need to go can cause the stool to become dry and harder to pass later.

Exercise: Keep the flow.  Long periods of standing or sitting can increase the pressure on veins.   Also, any excess weight could be contributing to your hemorrhoids.

Call today for a free consultation, (631)257-5533.

Debunking Myths Surrounding the Colonoscopy Procedure: An Ongoing Series Part III

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Nobody wants to deal with an unwanted surprise, least of all when it comes to their health. WHile all medical procedures involve a certain level of risk, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and endoscopy procedures are relatively low-risk for as inherently invasive as they are.

If you feel more comfortable with a male or female gastroenterologist, then you should make such a request. Usually, a facility will have more than one gastro on site.

The risks associated with colonoscopy are very rare. They include sedation-related complications, bleeding, and perforation (poking a hole in the colon). Sedation-related complications are rare especially when the sedation (propofol) is administered by an anesthesiologist. Bleeding is a very rare complication, occurring rarely after a large polyp is removed.

For large polyps, often your doctor will place Hemoclips (small clips) over the polyp site to prevent bleeding. Perforation occurs about once every 2,000 to 5,000 procedures.

Typically, the more experienced your gastroenterologist, the less likely perforation is to occur. Suffice it to say, complications are exceedingly rare. The benefits of undergoing a colonoscopy to prevent the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths far outweigh the small risks of complications.

Debunking Myths Surrounding the Colonoscopy Procedure: An Ongoing Series Part II

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

A lot of the anxiety surrounding the entire process of being screened for colorectal polyps, or just regular checkups on our bodies has to do with the 24-hour period prior to the actual tests. Instead of reading about the prep phase, or listening to their doctor, people often assume the worst with regards to how their bodies are going to act and react to the flushing process.

What will actually happen is never the horrorshow we work up in our minds. The reality of prepping for a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy is very simple, though many people consider the bowel preparation (often called the bowel prep) the worst part of these tests.

For the doctor to see your insides clearly and get good pictures, your bowels need to be as cleaned out as possible. You probably will be told to avoid certain foods and medicines and might be put on a clear liquid diet for one or more days before these exams. You will take very strong laxatives and you might also need enemas to clean out your colon. If you can choose a day for your exam, pick one that will make it easy for you to be at home the day or evening before the test, when you do the preparation.

You will get instructions from your doctor’s office ahead of time. Read them carefully since you will probably need to buy special supplies (like clear liquids, soups, and gelatin) and get laxatives or enemas. If any of the instructions are not clear or you do not understand them, call the doctor’s office and go over them step-by-step with the nurse. This is your chance to discuss any concerns about the bowel prep you might have.

Spoiler alert, as if you didn’t already know:

Preparing for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy makes you to go the bathroom a lot! As soon as you take the laxatives, you’ll need to stay close to a bathroom. They usually start working pretty quickly. They might still be working the next morning when you go for your colonoscopy appointment. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for a bathroom when you get there. People have to ask this all the time and the staff is used to it.

Debunking Myths Surrounding the Colonoscopy Procedure: An Ongoing Series

Posted on by Dr. Tara Martinez

Nobody likes talking about it, but it’s a fact of getting older, and for some, a fact of heredity.

Despite the fact that colonoscopy saves lives, only about 60% of people who should get the test actually do so. The reasons include lack of access to colonoscopy, primary providers not recommending the test, and fear of colonoscopy due to myths.

Dr. Frank Farrell has written extensively on the subject, and prepared a list of myths to bust around the dreaded procedure…to make it less dreadful. We are here to answer your questions one at a time, in order to comfort and ease you through your procedures.

Myth: The Colonoscopy Will Hurt. Facts: People don’t find these exams painful.

Although some people have more discomfort than others. Patients are given medicine to make them sleep through a colonoscopy, so they don’t feel anything. Medicine usually isn’t used for a sigmoidoscopy.

During both of these tests, air is pumped into the cleaned-out colon to keep it open so that doctors can get the best pictures. The air pressure may cause some discomfort and cramping. As with most medical tests, complications are possible with both of these tests. Some can be serious – for instance, bleeding and puncture of the colon – but they’re very uncommon. Make sure you understand how these tests work, how you can expect to feel during and after the test, and how to watch for possible problems that could come up afterward.

Dr. Ferrell’s take: Colonoscopy should not hurt. OK, the only thing that might hurt is the intravenous needle that is inserted into your arm. Colonoscopy is typically performed with either of two types of intravenous sedative medications: conscious sedation or propofol.

Conscious sedation refers to the use of a benzodiazepine such as midazolam (Versed) along with a narcotic such as fentanyl (Sublimaze). The vast majority of patients do well with conscious sedation. However, patients who are taking narcotics, sleep medications, or anti-anxiety medications are often difficult to sedate with conscious sedation. It is often difficult to predict who will not do well with conscious sedation; that is, these patients will either require large dosages of the medications or who will simply not be able to be adequately sedated.

The problems with conscious sedation have led to the increasing use of propofol (Diprivan). Don’t be frightened to learn that propofol is the drug that Michael Jackson was receiving. What happened to Michael was gross negligence and malpractice. When used properly, propofol is a wonder drug that is effective and safe. Propofol is typically administered by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthesthetist. Having another provider administer the propofol allows the gastroenterologist to focus completely on the colonoscopy. With conscious sedation, the gastroenterologist administers the medications and has to monitor the patient’s vital signs in addition to focusing on the colonoscopy. Propofol guarantees that you will go to sleep. It is impossible to not be adequately sedated with Propofol. With propofol the patient typically wakes up very quickly after the colonoscopy and the overall recovery time is quicker than with conscious sedation. Moreover, unlike with conscious sedation, one does not have a ‘hangover’ feeling and post-procedure nausea is non-existent. Most patients wake up and describe having some of the best sleep they’ve ever had.

Some patients experience abdominal discomfort after a colonoscopy due to retained air. This really shouldn’t happen and typically results from the inadequate suctioning of air from the colon as the colonoscope is withdrawn. More often, we are using carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of air to insufflate (or fill the colon) to maximize visualization. Any residual carbon dioxide in the colon is absorbed and this helps to prevent abdominal pain and distention after a colonoscopy.

In closing, the possibility of extremely minor pain associated with a colonoscopy which screens for polyps, cancer, precancerous growths, and other intestinal diseases and problems, is a small risk to take when you look at the big picture.

Taking into account the risk of colon cancer and the advent of polyps as we age, a colonoscopy procedure is relatively speaking, minimal upkeep when compared with the possibility of colorectal surgery to remove cancerous growths.

Treating your body correctly with preventative screenings may be a little uncomfortable, but it can’t hurt you.