How do you check your colon?

How do you check your colon?

Colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy exam, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to detect changes or abnormalities inside the entire colon.

When should I be concerned about my colon?

Any changes in your bowel movements, sudden changes in weight or abdominal pain should be taken seriously, says Vilar-Sanchez. “Changes in bowel movements, blood in stool or very dark stool can be red flags for colorectal cancer,” Vilar-Sanchez says.

What is a serrated polyp of the colon?

Serrated polyps are a type of growth that stick out from the surface of the colon or rectum. The polyps are defined by their saw-toothed appearance under the microscope. They can often be hard to find. The only way to determine the types of polyps is by removing them and examining them under a microscope.

Can the colon repair itself?

The inner lining of the intestines is one of the most-often renewed surfaces in the human body, replenishing itself every 2 to 4 weeks. Lining replacement depends on stem cells stored within indentations called crypts, which are densely scattered across the intestine’s inner wall.

How can I check my colon at home?

At-home screening options

  1. FIT: The fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool, and it’s about 79% accurate at detecting colon cancer.
  2. Cologuard: A pricier option than FIT, Cologuard is about 92% accurate at detecting colorectal cancer.

Where is colon pain located?

Due to the colon’s winding path through the abdomen, a person may feel colon pain in several different areas. For example, some may have general abdominal pain, while others may feel pain in a specific spot. People may also feel pain in the area of the rectum, just above the anus.

What are the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer?

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days When colorectal cancer does turn out to be the cause, symptoms often appear only after the cancer has grown or spread.

Can abdominal cramps be a sign of colon cancer?

Abdominal Cramps. However, abdominal pain that began recently and is severe and long-lasting can be a sign of cancer. Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine, which can affect bowel habits. This change in bowel habits can lead to cramping, bloating and abdominal pain and could be an indicator of colon cancer.

How do you know if you have bowel problems?

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one Rectal bleeding with bright red blood Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black