Colonoscopy North Carolina

Residents in need of a colonoscopy in North Carolina need a safe and reliable treatment center to complete this procedure successfully. Carolina Digestive Health Associates offers a full range of gastrointestinal health services, procedures, and screenings, including colonoscopy. One of the most commonly requested gastrointestinal screening procedures is a colonoscopy. We employ 14 highly qualified gastroenterologists who practice at eight office locations, five endoscopy centers, and our physicians also practice at all major hospitals in the Charlotte area.

What Is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a gastrointestinal screening procedure designed to detect a multitude of intestinal health issues. Gastrointestinal doctors usually request this procedure if a patient reports symptoms that require visual assessment; a colonoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the patient’s digestive tract to detect signs of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and several types of cancer.

To prepare for a colonoscopy, the patient will need to fast on a liquid diet and flush his or her digestive system using diuretics for a day or two before the procedure. However, most patients report that this is the most uncomfortable part of the entire process; the procedure itself is entirely painless, relatively quick, and does not necessarily require a recovery period. The doctor anesthetizes the patient and then inserts a camera device into the patient’s rectum. The camera is a long, flexible tube about the width of a finger, and the doctor navigates this tube through the patient’s digestive tract and checks any troubling symptoms. The doctor may also record the footage for closer inspection or for discussion with the patient.

Why Would I Need a Colonoscopy?

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy reports that doctors diagnose about 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year. Colonoscopy is one of the most important screening tools available for early cancer detection, and gastrointestinal doctors rely on colonoscopies to detect all types of other colorectal diseases and medical conditions.

Most doctors request this screening procedure when they cannot confirm a patient’s symptoms externally, or if previous treatments or medications were ineffective or somehow aggravated a patient’s symptoms. If you reported intestinal discomfort, bloody stool, or other common symptoms of gastrointestinal disease, your doctor will likely request a colonoscopy if he or she suspects you could have a condition requiring visual internal diagnosis.

What Can a Colonoscopy Detect?

A colonoscopy can help a doctor detect anal polyps, structural abnormalities within the intestinal tract, and signs of various colorectal diseases. If a patient reports any of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer, the attending gastrointestinal doctor will likely want to visually check for tumors, damaged tissues, and possibly collect a sample for biopsy. A colonoscopy procedure can help a doctor identify the cause of a patient’s symptoms, screen for colorectal cancers, and act as a crucial follow-up exam for a patient who has undergone intestinal surgeries in the past.

Are There Risks With a Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy procedures may involve some unpleasant preparation, but the procedure itself is usually painless and done under anesthesia. In the event a patient is awake for a colonoscopy, the doctor will still administer sedatives, and the patient may experience some mild cramping. However, most doctors simply anesthetize their colonoscopy patients.

The camera itself does not usually pose a danger to the patient, but there is a chance that it could damage the colon wall. If this occurs, or the doctor needs a sample for biopsy that causes bleeding, the doctor can fix the damaged tissue with the colonoscope. Immediately following a colonoscopy, the patient will remain under observation for roughly half an hour to an hour as he or she wakes up from the anesthesia. The patient may experience some mild cramping and bloating sensations, but these pass relatively quickly. The patient will need someone to provide a ride home after the procedure as he or she will be drowsy and unable to drive for several hours due to the anesthesia.

Many individuals may feel concerned about a request for a colonoscopy. North Carolina residents in need of this procedure can rely on Carolina Digestive Health Associates for comprehensive and compassionate gastrointestinal care. Call us today at (704) 486-5194 during regular business hours to schedule an appointment with us.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 486-5194 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.