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A colonoscopy, by definition, is an internal examination of the colon. The colon can also be known as the large intestine and is the last part of the digestive system in the human body. Once the small intestine absorbs the nutrients in food, the job of the colon is to process and eliminate the waste. It is important to find a gastrointestinal specialist to perform a colonoscopy in MD. The actual size of the colon, or large intestine, is amazingly three to five feet long. The lower right part of the abdomen, or the part where the small intestine ends, is where the large intestine begins. It travels upward to the liver, across the body to the spleen, and finally down forming the rectum and anus. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses an instrument called a colonoscope to exam the colon. This instrument is about three feet long and one inch thick, and is a flexible fiber optic camera that is inserted into the anus and allows the doctor to see the colon entirely on a monitor. This instrument also has special attached features that allow the doctor to collect tissue samples, remove small growths, or stop bleeding. The reason that a doctor may order this procedure on a patient is to investigate diseases of the colon. A colonoscopy is the main tool in screening for colorectal cancer, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. This procedure may also be performed if symptoms of a digestive disease are present, such as rectal bleeding, weight loss, pain in the lower abdomen, and changes in bowel habits. Prior to this test, the person having the procedure must follow instructions given by the doctor. The process of cleaning out the bowel, known as bowel preparation, is necessary so that the colonoscopy will obtain a clear picture of the bowel wall. The patient is usually instructed to follow a liquid diet and take laxatives for two days before the procedure. On the day of the colonoscopy, an intravenous line will be inserted in order to administer sedation and pain medication. The patient is then instructed to lie on his or her left side, and the doctor lubricates the colonoscope and then inserts it into the anus. The camera on this instrument produces a visualization of the colon on a monitor. The entire procedure takes about thirty minutes. After the procedure, it is normal to feel drowsy from the intravenous sedation medication. Other common side effects that may occur are cramping pain, abdominal swelling, and gas. These usually go away within twenty four hours of having the procedure. Upon discharge, the patient will be given a follow up appointment with the doctor to discuss the results of the test. The doctor should also give instructions about what symptoms to be aware of following a colonoscopy, as some may be more serious than others. The type of doctor qualified to perform a colonoscopy is a gastrointestinal specialist. These doctors are certified and specialized in disorders of the digestive system and digestive organs such as the intestines, stomach, and liver. They are qualified to examine, diagnosis, and treat digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. A gastrointestinal medical doctor has years of education and clinical training, and spend three years out of a six year hospital residency strictly in a gastrointestinal medical setting. Finding a gastrointestinal specialist to perform a colonoscopy in MD should depend on the location of the patient in that state in comparison to location of the doctor. It is also helpful to visit a doctor that was referred rather than just found in a directory. Receiving a referral to a specific doctor from a person that has been to that doctor before may make the prospective patient more relaxed, trusting, and comfortable upon arrival to the scheduled appointment.
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