While everyone should begin obtaining regular colonoscopies once they reach the age of 50 (or earlier if there is a history of colon problems in the family), you may need one at a much younger age if your doctor suspects you may have a colon disease, such as ulcerative colitis. If you are experiencing any of the signs of ulcerative colitis, then a colonoscopy is an important part of obtaining an official diagnosis, so you can begin treatment to help control this chronic disease. Read on to find out what to expect when your doctor suspects you have ulcerative colitis. 

Ulcerative Colitis Facts 

While ulcerative colitis currently has no known definite cause, it often runs in families. There is currently no cure, but there are many treatments that can keep the symptoms under control. The disease can range from mild to severe, and it can affect only some parts of the colon or the entire colon. 

The first signs of ulcerative colitis can mimic IBS, Crohn's disease, and other illnesses, so it is important to perform a colonoscopy to determine what is really going on in your colon, so your doctor can treat it properly. 

During a colonoscopy, your doctor will be looking for the telltale colon ulcerations inside of your colon that signal a case of ulcerative colitis. There are none of these ulcerations in IBS sufferers, and in Crohn's disease, many other parts of the digestive tract can be affected. This means that if your doctor finds ulcerations in only your colon, then a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis may be made. 

The Colonoscopy Procedure

Prep: Before your colonoscopy, you will be instructed to drink a special beverage that cleans out your entire digestive tract. This is important, as any waste left in your colon can interfere with the colonoscopy results. 

Sedation: Directly before your colonoscopy, you will be given an injection that puts you under twilight sedation. This will cause you to be awake during the procedure, yet relaxed and drowsy. This sedative often causes a lapse in memory that may lead to you not remembering the procedure afterwards. 

Most doctors opt to put patients under twilight sedation instead of general anesthesia because you will need to shift into several different positions during the colonoscopy. If you were under general anesthesia, you would not be able to shift on your own. 

Procedure: The colonoscopy procedure itself only takes from 30 to 60 minutes. Once you are sedated, the doctor inserts a scope into your rectum that has a tiny camera on it that projects magnified images of the inside of your colon onto a screen. The scope is flexible, so it can turn and bend to reach every part of your colon. Once your doctor has seen what he or she needs to see to make a diagnosis, the procedure is done, and you can begin recovery. 

Once your doctor gets a good view of the inside of your colon, he or she can combine the other symptoms you report with the appearance of your colon to make an official diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or any other suspected colon disorder. Proper medication and lifestyle changes can then be recommended to help you manage your symptoms and get back to leading an active life. 

For more information, contact Northwest Gastroenterology Associates or a similar organization.