QUESTION: I have been having an ongoing problem with my bowels, and have been most diligent in following my physicians' (I now have more than one) instructions.
We have been through a barium enema and a sigmoidoscopy, and now a colonoscopy is being suggested.
My problems are real ones, and I will go forward, but can you tell me the reasons this test may be necessary.
ANSWER: You sound like a reasonable patient, and your physicians appear to be doing a step by step evaluation of your problem.
That's fine; it's the best way to get to the answers you need for a diagnosis and proper treatment.
I can't second guess your doctors, nor would I want to, so my answer will be straight from the text book.
Please don't interpret any of these indications as a diagnosis, for that you must obtain directly from your personal counselors.
Colonoscopy is an excellent procedure for diagnosing difficult cases of bowel trouble, since it enables the physician to directly view almost the entire length of the colon.
It is particularly valuable to clarify findings of a barium enema which may have been too indistinct to interpret with any degree of certainty.
It is possible to obtain tissue samples during the colonoscopy (a biopsy) that may be analyzed under a microscope.
When chronic, slight bleeding is the worrisome sign, the exact site may be located through the scope.
Should the source of the bleeding be from a small polyp, it can be easily removed during the examination.
Some individuals with chronic situations such as ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease may require colonoscopy to discover the extent of their disease, or if changes that could lead to malignancy are occurring.
Many physicians develop methods of evaluation and diagnosis that use their personal skills most effectively, and will recommend procedures that are of the greatest benefit to their patients.
You have apparently come a long way, hopefully the answers you seek are just around the corner.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
