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From childhood most of us are raised with the idea that doctors help us stay healthy. In many cases, however, negative experiences accumulate over time and we then become afraid of preventive check-ups. The thought of having one’s intestines examined invasively is already absolutely terrifying for many people.
Irreplaceable examination
However, medical science does not yet know of any other (and less invasive) method that would fully replace colonoscopy. Each year the number of people affected by bowel disease is rising in the Czech Republic. Crohn’s disease is very widespread in the population, and many people are also affected by ulcerative colitis. Last but not least, colorectal cancer must be mentioned, in the incidence of which Czechs even hold a leading position among European countries.
Health insurance companies regularly invite citizens who fall into risk groups to undergo this screening examination. The age threshold from which a colonoscopy is covered is individual for each country. In Germany this concerns people older than 47 years; in the Czech Republic any person older than 55 can undergo a colonoscopy free of charge.
Course of the procedure itself
The actual performance of the procedure is first preceded by preparation. The patient must drink a special solution before the procedure that cleans the intestines. For the examination of the intestine, the doctor uses an endoscope to which a small camera is attached. The recorded image is transmitted to a screen where the doctor can observe:
- Inflammatory changes of the intestinal mucosa
- The presence of polyps
- The occurrence of tumors
The patient is under general anesthesia for the entire procedure, so they do not have to fear pain. During the examination the doctor may also take a piece of tissue for histological analysis if something seems suspicious. In this way, bowel tumors can be detected already in the primary stage.
A few tips in conclusion
You should definitely not avoid a colonoscopy if bowel disease has occurred in any of your close relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents) or if you suspect that you are ill. We need to take care of the health of our intestines throughout our lives. And above all, think about what we eat and what benefits digestion — fiber in fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals and sea fish.
