Posted at January 28, 2012
Colonoscopy is a common and very safe procedure for examining the lining of the lower intestinal tract called the colon or large intestine. The term colonoscopy means “to look inside the colon. A gastroenterologist specially trained in the procedure uses a flexible tube that has a light and miniature TV camera on the tip. This instrument often referred to as the “scope” is placed in the rectum and advanced through the colon. It is connected to a TV monitor which the doctor watches while performing the examination. Various miniaturized tools can be inserted through the scope to help the doctor obtain biopsies or samples of the colon and to perform a wide range of maneuvers to help diagnose or treat diseases affecting the colon. At Beverly Hills Colonoscopycenters, colonoscopy is also used as a colon cancer screening method. Colonoscopy can find potentially precancerous growths called polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer. This explains why colonoscopy is regarded as an invaluable tool that helps gastroenterologists answer important questions about ones’ digestive health and prevent certain diseases like colon cancer.
Gastroenterology is a wide and specialized field of medicine concerned with the digestive system. Gastroenterologists study, diagnose, treat and manage conditions of the gastrointestinal tract including esophagus, stomach, intestines, anus, liver, gallbladder, etc. Gastroenterologists see patients most often for gastro esophageal reflux disease, GI cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms of diseases that are caused by digestive problems include constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Gastroenterologists use endoscopy, ultrasound, blood and body fluid tests, and surgery to make a diagnosis. It is often possible to treat patients during endoscopy where necessary, by using the endoscope (a long, flexible tube inserted through the mouth into various digestive regions) to insert tools for removing stones and growths, destroying cysts, inserting a stent, injecting cancer medications, or inserting a nerve block. One of the most important aspects of choosing a gastroenterologist is finding a good doctor-patient relationship. Establishing a good rapport and maintaining an open dialogue is the first step in finding a doctor who will provide exceptional care.Los Angeles Gastroenterologists offer the latest in procedures to diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
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