How to Prep for Colonoscopy with Crohn's Disease Ann Arbor MI

Unfortunately, having Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) puts you at greater risk for developing colon cancer. In fact, it's the third highest risk condition for this type of cancer (the good news is that it's highly treatable when caught early). Your increased risk depends on how long you've had Crohn's and how much of your bowel it has affected. The longer you've had Crohn's, the greater your risk. And, if Crohn's disease has damaged more than one-third of your bowel, it also increases your risk.

Doctors recommend that everyone have an initial colonoscopy at 50, or earlier if you have risk factors, such as Crohn's disease or a family history of colon cancer. People with Crohn's begin colon cancer screening when they've had Crohn's for at least eight years, with follow up colonoscopies every one to two years.

During a colonoscopy, your doctor examines the inside of your colon with a long, flexible tube that has a video camera on the end. He or she can check for cancer and remove any polyps (growths on the intestinal wall) they find. Polyps are generally benign but may turn into cancer so removing them is an important part of colon cancer prevention. In order for your physician to have an unobstructed view of your colon, you must thoroughly clean and empty your bowels before the colonoscopy.

Your physician will provide instructions for cleansing your bowel. Generally, this process takes the full day and evening before your appointment. Most bowel cleaning preparations involve mixing a bowel stimulator with fluids, and sticking to a diet that consists primarily of clear liquids. You will consume quite a lot of fluid, and the cleansing mixture does cause diarrhea. You'll need to spend the day close to a bathroom...

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