Colonoscopy Specialist
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GI Physicians Inc.
Gastroenterologists located in Lima, OH
Whether you need a specific diagnosis or you’re looking for a way to protect yourself against colon cancer, a colonoscopy delivers. That’s why Ven Kottapalli, MD, CNSP, and the team at GI Physicians Inc. offer these exams from the comfort of their Lima, Ohio, office. If you need to schedule a colonoscopy or you want more information about this procedure, call the office or request your appointment online today.
Colonoscopy Q & A
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a type of exam that the staff at GI Physicians Inc. uses to look at your large intestine, or your colon, without the need for a single incision.
During this procedure, your GI Physicians Inc. provider uses a specialized endoscope called a colonoscope. This is a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to one end. By feeding the tube into your rectum, your provider can examine your colon.
Why would I need a colonoscopy?
The team at GI Physicians Inc. uses colonoscopies for three specific reasons.
Diagnosis
A colonoscopy is an extremely effective diagnostic tool because it allows your provider to see what’s going on inside your body. Your GI Physicians Inc. provider may recommend a colonoscopy to identify what’s causing your symptoms if you’re experiencing unexplained:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Rectal bleeding
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Colon inflammation
With a colonoscopy, your provider can often provide you with a quick, highly accurate diagnosis so you can start an effective treatment.
Colon cancer screening
With regular colon cancer screenings, you can be proactive about protecting yourself against this type of cancer. Generally, you should start getting screened for colon cancer at age 50.
To screen you for colon cancer, your GI Physicians Inc. provider performs a colonoscopy, looking for any polyps, which can develop into colon cancer.
Polyp removal
If your GI Physicians Inc. provider detects colon polyps during your colonoscopy, they can use the colonoscope to remove the polyp. They then send the biopsied polyp to a lab to determine if it’s cancerous or not.
Is a colonoscopy painful?
No. The team at GI Physicians Inc. uses a sedative to keep you comfortable during your procedure. They also help you prepare for your colonoscopy, giving you a specialized diet to eat in the days leading up to the exam to ensure your colon is clear and your colonoscopy can be as effective as possible.
You may notice a small amount of blood in your stool a couple of days after your colonoscopy, but this is normal.
If you have questions about colonoscopies or you need to schedule one, call the office or request your appointment online today.
