Find out why a colonoscopy is the best way to observe your intestinal health.

While the health of your colon might not be something you’d discuss with friends at a dinner party, it is important that you do discuss it with our New York City gastroenterologist Dr. Azeem Khan. Remember, you don’t have to be experiencing symptoms to benefit from a colonoscopy. In fact, once you turn 50 years old it’s time to schedule your first colonoscopy. Why?

Well, a colonoscopy is the best way to be able to truly check the health of your colon and rectum. It’s also ideal for detecting the earliest warning signs of colorectal cancer. When caught early on, colorectal cancer can more easily be treated; however, since symptoms often don’t manifest until cancer has spread, often times the only way for our NYC GI doctor to detect cancerous growths within the colon is through a colonoscopy.

Both men and women are susceptible to colorectal cancer, so once you reach 50 years old it’s time to schedule an appointment with us. While some people may feel a little nervous about their first colonoscopy, there is really nothing to worry about. You will be placed under conscious sedation so most patients fall asleep during the procedure and don’t remember a thing. A colonoscopy usually takes about 30 minutes.

Once the sedation has taken effect, we will guide the scope through your rectum and into the colon so we can examine the lining through the camera at the end of the scope. If we do find cancerous or precancerous polyps during your colonoscopy we can also remove them during your procedure. This is a quick, easy outpatient procedure.

Of course, a colonoscopy may also be required if you are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as:

• Recurrent or severe diarrhea or constipation
• Changes in bowel habits
• Abdominal pain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Blood in the stool

If you have risk factors that could increase your chances of getting colorectal cancer you may also want to talk to our New York City gastroenterologist about whether you should be screened before 50 years old.

If it’s time to schedule your first colonoscopy or you are experiencing gastrointestinal problems that aren’t going away don’t hesitate to contact the GI experts at Forest Hills Gastroenterology in Forest Hills, NY.