Colonoscopy, as an important diagnostic means of modern medicine, cannot be ignored in its importance and necessity. In the medical field, colonoscopy is known as the "guardian" of intestinal health, which can intuitively observe the internal conditions of the intestine and provide doctors with an accurate diagnosis basis.
During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope through the patient's anus and progresses it to the ends of the large and small intestines. Doctors can clearly observe small changes in the intestinal mucosa, such as inflammation, ulcers, polyps, etc., so as to detect and diagnose intestinal diseases in time.
At the same time, colonoscopy also has a therapeutic function, and doctors can perform polyp removal, hemostasis and other operations during the examination process, which can effectively reduce the patient's pain.
Before undergoing colonoscopy, patients need to make adequate preparations, such as dietary adjustments, taking detergents, etc., to ensure the cleanliness of the intestines. In addition, patients also need to understand the precautions of colonoscopy, such as cooperation during the examination, dietary adjustment after the examination, etc., to ensure the smooth progress of the examination.
Although colonoscopy has a certain discomfort, it plays an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal diseases. Through colonoscopy, doctors can detect and treat intestinal diseases in time, avoid deterioration of the condition, and improve the quality of life of patients.
01
How long can I do a colonoscopy?
In fact, the expiration date of colonoscopy is not set in stone, but is affected by a variety of factors. First of all, an individual's lifestyle habits and diet have a direct impact on gut health.
A person with a good diet and a regular lifestyle tends to have a more stable gut health, so the validity period of the colonoscopy may be relatively long.
On the contrary, if the lifestyle habits are not good, such as irregular diet and lack of exercise, it may lead to frequent intestinal problems, thereby shortening the effective period of colonoscopy.
Secondly, the type and severity of intestinal diseases can also affect the validity period of the colonoscopy. Some mild intestinal diseases, such as mild colitis, proctitis, etc., may be in long-term remission after treatment, so the validity period of colonoscopy may be longer.
However, for some serious intestinal diseases, such as intestinal polyps, ulcerative colitis, etc., the condition may recur and regular colonoscopy is required to monitor for changes.
In addition, the validity period of colonoscopy is also related to factors such as the quality of the examination, the doctor's experience and technical level. High-quality colonoscopy can detect intestinal problems more accurately, thus providing patients with a more reliable basis for diagnosis.
Experienced doctors can more accurately judge the severity and development trend of intestinal diseases, and provide patients with more personalized diagnosis and treatment plans.
02
Doctor's reminder: It is recommended to have a good examination after the age of 45
As we age, our bodily functions gradually decline, and the gut is no exception. At the age of 45, as an important turning point in life, various functions of the body begin to enter a period of decline, and the intestinal resistance will gradually weaken, making it easy to be attacked by various diseases.
Colonoscopy, as a method of directly observing the internal conditions of the intestines, can detect and prevent the occurrence of intestinal diseases in time.
Colonoscopy can not only help us detect intestinal polyps, inflammation, ulcers and other lesions, but also screen for early intestinal cancer and improve the cure rate of cancer. Therefore, having a colonoscopy after the age of 45 is not only a responsibility for your own health, but also an investment in your future.
Of course, colonoscopy is not necessary for everyone, but it should be more important for those who have a family history of intestinal diseases, poor eating habits, long-term constipation or diarrhea.
For the general population, although the risk of intestinal diseases is relatively low, it should not be taken lightly, and regular colonoscopy can ensure intestinal health.
Therefore, the doctor reminds that after the age of 45, we should include colonoscopy as a routine item of health examination, and carry it out regularly to ensure intestinal health. This is not only responsible for yourself, but also responsible for your family and society.
03
Why do many people refuse to have a colonoscopy?
As an invasive examination, colonoscopy is naturally accompanied by a certain amount of pain and discomfort. From the patient's point of view, the risk of enduring a foreign body sensation in the intestines, swelling pain, and possible intestinal perforation has undoubtedly increased their resistance to the test.
In addition, the preparation before colonoscopy is also relatively cumbersome. Patients need to make dietary modifications before the test, consume a low-residue diet, and have an enema to cleanse the bowel the night before the test.
These preparations not only cause physical inconvenience to the patient, but can also lead to psychological stress, which further exacerbates the rejection of the colonoscopy.
In addition, some people have misunderstandings about medical examinations. They see colonoscopy as a painful and unnecessary procedure, or they are concerned about possible complications during the procedure. These misconceptions and concerns undoubtedly deepened their rejection of colonoscopy.
04
When is a colonoscopy necessary?
First of all, colonoscopy should be done as part of a regular physical examination for people over the age of 40, especially those with poor lifestyle habits, irregular diet, and lack of exercise.
This is because with age, the intestinal function gradually declines, and various problems such as polyps, inflammation, ulcers, etc. are prone to occur. Through colonoscopy, these problems can be detected and treated in time to avoid the deterioration of the condition.
Secondly, colonoscopy is essential for people with a family history of intestinal diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. These diseases are often hereditary, and colonoscopy can help detect lesions early, buying valuable time for treatment.
In addition, for patients who already have intestinal symptoms, such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, etc., colonoscopy is also an important means to confirm the condition. Through colonoscopy, doctors can visually observe the lesions inside the intestine and make an accurate diagnosis.
Finally, colonoscopy also plays an important role in the treatment process for patients with diagnosed intestinal diseases, such as intestinal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, etc. Through colonoscopy, doctors can understand the changes in the condition, evaluate the treatment effect, and provide a basis for adjusting the treatment plan.