What do you think?

The short answer is no. The longer answer is still no and here’s why.

Doctors who perform colonoscopies are aware that perforating the colon (making a hole by mistake) is a known recognized risk of the procedure. Obviously no doctor wants to make a hole in the colon, but once in a while it does happen. The fact that it happens is, in my opinion, and the opinion of every physician I’ve ever talked to about it, is not a departure from good care.

“But I was in the hospital for weeks, and I couldn’t eat solid food, and I needed to change my bowel movements in this disgusting bag…” Yes, that’s all true…but those injuries did not result from a departure from good medical care. The medical community recognizes that there are risks with every procedure. This happens to be one of those risks associated with a colonscopy.

“How come I heard that my neighbor had a case, and his colon was perforated during a colonoscopy, but you’re telling me I don’t have a case?” The reason your neighbor has a case is because during his procedure the doctor created a hole in the colon and failed to recognize it. The following day the patient called the doctor complaining about belly pain and back pain, and was ‘poo-pooed’ away by the doctor claiming it’s normal to have discomfort after the colonoscopy. Two days later, the patient spiked a fever and got very sick. Only after calling the doctor’s office repeatedly to advise him of these worsening problems did he suggest going to the emergency room. In the emergency room your neighbor had an MRI which showed some type of fluid in his belly- where it shouldn’t have been. Your neighbor was rushed into emergency surgery where surgeons found a belly full of fecal material (bowel movements) where it clearly should not have been. After cleaning him out, they found the hole that was made during the colonoscopy. Your neighbor then had to get a colostomy bag and remain in the hospital for 10 days on heavy-duty antibiotics.

Here’s the key to determining whether you have a potential case:

The fact that there was a perforation during your colonoscopy is, in all liklihood, not malpractice. It’s the FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE the hole that is a departure from good care. When the patient called to complain, the first thing the doctor should have done is get the patient back into the office for an evaluation. Additional tests may be ordered which may reveal the ongoing problem. If this fails to detect the problem and the patient continues to complain, the next step is usually to send the patient into the emergency room for a full work-up and evaluation.

Only with proper and timely monitoring of the patient and prompt attention to the patient’s complaints can a potential tragedy be averted. So, do you have a case if there was a perforation to your colon during colonoscopy? Unlikely. If the doctor failed to detect the perforation, and you continued to complain, and your condition worsened, then you need to speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney who practices in the State of New York immediately. Remember, never rely just on an article or something you read online to tell you if you have a valid potential case. Instead, contact an experienced lawyer who handles these types of cases on a daily basis. Only after a thorough expert medical review of your records will you know for certain whether you have a valid case.

Gerry Oginski is an experienced medical malpractice and personal injury trial attorney practicing law in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, New York, Staten Island, Nassau & Suffolk. He has tirelessly represented injured victims in all types of medical malpractice and injury cases for over 19 years. As a solo practitioner he is able to devote 100% of his time to each individual client. A client is never a file number in his office.

Take a look at Gerry’s website http://www.oginski-law.com and read his free special reports on malpractice and accident law. Read actual testimony of real doctors in medical malpractice cases. Learn answers to your legal questions. We have over 200 FAQs to the most interesting legal questions. Read about his success stories. Read the latest injury and malpractice news. I guarantee there’s something for you. Call him at 516-487-8207.

Also, go over to http://medicalmalpracticetutorial.blogspot.com for Gerry’s free instructional videos on malpractice & accident law.

She continued by saying that her grandfather has also recently died of colon cancer and that her father has had to have polyps removed regularly. Her concern was that now that she herself is 50 years old expressed dire interest in getting a colonoscopy. Our hope is that this one is in fact in time.

It is an absolute tragedy to hear of stories such as this one. It is unfortunate that it often takes such misfortunes to teach us all lessons in life. Being a gastroenterologist, I regrettably witness such events frequently. However, I must admit that the most rewarding part of my work is that I have been given the ability by the all mighty to prevent such disasters on a daily basis. The routine colonoscopy is perhaps one of the most poorly understood and even feared procedures by the general population. Patients often present to my practice with stories of awful experiences that their friends or acquaintances have recalled. Myths about the preparation, the procedure itself and complications leave patients frightened and anxious to the point that they put off going for the test.

The reality is that a colonoscopy is a very simple, safe and effective procedure. I always tell my patients that the worst part of the test is the preparation on the day before the test, and if done correctly, is not that bad at all. The procedure itself is absolutely painless and is usually quite comfortable. The entire procedure may easily be completed within 30 minutes. A short acting intravenous anesthetic is administered to the patient immediately before the procedure. The true benefit of a colonoscopy is that it is not only a diagnostic tool, but more importantly it is therapeutic. This means that if a polyp (abnormal tissue growth) is identified, it may be easily removed at the same time, thus preventing and even curing a potential cancer from ever developing.

Most of my patients are relieved when the risks and benefits of the procedure are carefully discussed with them. But as the famous saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. It is always a pleasure to be asked the same question from my patients who wake up immediately after the test, “when are you going to start the procedure?” or “That’s it?”.

Generally, people that should undergo colonoscopy are all people over the age of 50 years and those who have first degree family members (parents or siblings) that were diagnosed with colon cancer. Specific rules apply in various cases and can be discussed with a specialist. The most important concept to understand is that colon cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in the United States and it is also completely preventable. Consider the infinite merit of referring loved ones for a colonoscopy.

We treat patients suffering from a wide variety of gastrointestinal ailments, both from a preventative standpoint and a full treatment and surgical aspect as well. Find us at http://www.nygicare.com.

Be in good health.

Relatively recently, in the past 30 years, and with the development of fiber optics the entire colon has been opened up to us for direct visualization. This study is known today as a colonoscopy. In the examination the doctor will pass a small fiber optic scope through the anus and pass it around the entire colon allowing complete visualization of the whole inside or mucosal surface of the large bowel. Lesions or abnormalities inside the colon can be biopsied or removed. This allows the doctor to make a rapid diagnosis of colon diseases as well as treat many conditions of the colon. Conditions that were difficult to diagnose in the past are now readily apparent with colonoscopy and biopsy. Many conditions that took years and sometimes surgery to diagnose are now diagnosed without incisions and as an outpatient.

This procedure is routinely preformed in an outpatient setting with sedation to make the patient comfortable and in fact most patient have no memory of the study at all The type of sedation used is called iv sedation and is not a general anesthetic. since this is not a general anesthetic a few patients may have some memory of the study.

Polyps are one of the main reasons the exam is preformed. They are usually removed at the time of the study. These are small growths in the colon and most are asymptomatic, meaning the patient and doctor can’t tell polyps are there until the colonoscopy is preformed. Colon cancers may arise from these polyps after they have been present for many years so it is important that they be removed to decrease this risk. By taking out these polyps we can reduce the risk and the development of colon cancer. The best way to treat this malignancy or cancer is before it ever gets started and the procedure is safe and relatively simple to perform. This simple procedure could go far to reduce the risk of the development of this common malignancy.

Indication for colonoscopy include the following, but this is by no means a comprehensive list.

*Rectal bleeding

*Unexplained diarrhea

*Chronic abdominal pain

*Change in bowel habits diarrhea or constipation

*Anemia due to blood loss

*Personal or family history of colon polyps

*Colon cancer history in the family

*Anyone over the age of 50 without prior exam.

*History of inflammatory bowel disease

If you fall into one of these categories you should discuss this with your personal physician and decide if this is right for you. This simple and safe procedure is important and could save your life. Make sure that all polyps are removed and that you continue to get colonoscopies until your colon is clear of all polyps and then continue with surveillance colonoscopies for life. With this practise we can cut the risk and hopefully the incidence of colon cancer.

I encourage you to discuss this issue with your personal physician. If you live in the Cushing area we are happy to see you and discuss your personal issues with you. Any concerns you have should be discussed with your personal physician and this article is for informational purposes only.

So be sure to get your colonoscopy to help ensure your long and healthy life.

Peter Lafon is an experienced health care professional with over 30 years of patient care. He has extensive experience in a broad range of medical and surgical problems. Check out a colonoscopy video at colonoscopyvideo.org

Colonoscopy is the internal examination of the colon and rectum by a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube about half an inch in diameter with a camera attached to the end), to evaluate symptoms of the colon (eg. Rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits and persistent abdominal pain), or to screen asymptomatic individuals who are at risk of colon cancer.

It can detect ulcers, inflammed tissue and abnormal growths in the walls of the colon.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

For successful visualization of the colon and rectum, the bowel must be clean and free of accumulated faeces. It is thus very important that you follow the instructions for preparing your bowel, given by your doctor. Without proper preparation, the colonoscopy may not be successful and may have to be repeated.

The Colonoscopy

You will be given a pain reliever and some sedation, so that you will be relaxed and comfortable. You may be asleep during the colonoscopy or be unable to remember it following the procedure. You will be made to lie on your side with your knees drawn up towards your chest, and your doctor will pass the well lubricated colonoscope into your anus, gently guiding it through the rectum and into the colon. Small amounts of air will be pumped in to expand the colon for proper visualization of the colon walls.

Your doctor can remove growths, called polyps during the colonoscopy, and later send it to the laboratory to test for signs of cancer. Polyps are common and usually benign, however, most colorectal cancers begin as polyps, so they should always be tested.

Biopsies can also be taken from abnormal looking tissues in the walls of the colon. If bleeding occurs following biopsy or removal of polyps, it can be stopped via diathermy (an electrical probe) passed through the colonscope.

The entire procedure lasts about 30 minutes to an hour.

Following The Colonoscopy

You may be required to remain at the clinic for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure to allow time for the sedative to wear off. Cramping, bloating and passing of flatus (gas) is common following a colonoscope due to the air pumped in during the procedure.

You should contact your doctor if you have any of the following rare side effects:

Fever
Severe abdominal pain
Blood in your stools

Dr Ang C.D. is has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine.

He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology.

Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients.

With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore.

http://singaporedoc.com

Colonoscopies are utilized to evaluate patients for colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates, for 2006, predict 148,610 new cases of colorectal cancer resulting in 55,170 deaths. While the death rate has been in decline for the past fifteen years, the sad truth is the majority of the deaths from colorectal cancer are preventable. That is, if appropriate diagnostic tests are performed.

A little background information is in order. Standard colonoscopies allow doctors to examine the large intestine utilizing a colonoscope. This device is a thin, flexible tube that utilizes a fiber optic camera to inspect the colon. This procedure allows for the detection, removal and cauterization of polyps and, though somewhat uncomfortable, is relatively quick and extremely effective. The resistance to the procedure has little to do with its medical efficacy and everything to do with the discomfort and embarrassment.

Preparation for a standard colonoscopy typically involves a lighter diet for a day or two prior to the procedure. No problem there. The rub comes with the next step. The day before the procedure the patient takes an industrial strength laxative and, fearing for their safety, warns his family to stay clear of all potential paths to the bathroom door. After a night spent in the bathroom, it’s off to the clinic, where the patient disrobes and offers up their posterior portions for the benefit of medical science. Why would there be any resistance to such a simple procedure?

The Virtual Colonoscopy may resolve the reticence felt by those who would most benefit by this screening. Men over the age of fifty are at greatest risk and, often, are the least inclined to pick up the phone and schedule this procedure. But, as this procedure becomes more commonplace, that may change. The VC, though still requiring some preparation, is a much more tolerable procedure than its predecessor.

A Virtual Colonoscopy is performed utilizing a standard imaging technique known as a CAT scan, computed tomography. CAT scans are typically used to visualize internal organs and structures, such as the brain, liver or spine, to assess the presence of tumors or the extent of injuries following a trauma. This same technology is now being utilized to visualize the colon.

The preparation for the VC is similar to that with the standard procedure, requiring a laxative prior to testing. The procedure itself, however, is much more akin to an x-ray. The patient lies on their back on an exam table, a small tube is inserted in the rectum and air is pumped into the colon. Once the colon is inflated, allowing for better visualization, the exam table moves through the large scanning device and the images are captured. A second pass, with the patient lying on their stomach, is also required. The process takes about ten to twenty minutes and, since no sedation is required, the patient is free to resume normal activities immediately after.

The CAT scan technology allows radiologists to assess computer-generated images of the patient’s colon. The images are very much like those seen during the standard procedure and, should the Virtual Colonoscopy detect an abnormality, a standard colonoscopy may be performed the same day.

While still not a trip to the ice cream shop, the Virtual Colonoscopy reduces the complications of this critical assessment to a manageable level. Anxious men will be forced to look elsewhere for the application of their tried and true excuses. On the upside, their good health secured, they’ll have many more years to fine-tune their finagling for all things involving sports, couches and potatoes.

Tim Anderson is a freelance writer who has a special interest in medical topics. Visit his blog at http://medicalmigrant.blogspot.com/

Your tissues can be easily collected for diagnosis by colonoscopy. Once received, pathologis can review it and confirm if the typical features of crohn’s disease are present and thus confirm the diagnosis with high degree of certainty. There are 0.05% risk of perforating the colon with this procedure, as oppose using the finger. In the past, fiber optic scopes where being used.

Colonoscopy is known to be a very involving procedure. Patients are sedated during this procedure to allow thorough examination of the colon. People with crohn’s disease are likely to develop colon cancer. This procedure also helps to detect pre-cancerous polyps that are found in about 25 percent of patients, prevent any form of cancer in the future. Patients over 50years of age commonly use colonoscopy, except if the illness is common within the family can a patient have this procedure at 40.

Colonoscopy is usually performed under sedation to help ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. Afterwards, most people have very little memory of the test. This procedure is very well tolerated and rarely causes much pain. You may feel pressure and cramping during the procedure, but the majority of patients do not remember the procedure due to the sedative medications. It can be a very embarrassing experience for some patients going through colonoscopy, personally it would be a struggle, but the outcome of such procedure far outweighs the embarrassment.

Coping with news that you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease isn’t easy, as there are yet to be a clear cure of this illness. It’s chronic and can remain with you for the rest of your life. The good news is that there are ways to better cope and manage crohn’s disease. More and more people are using the natural effects of aloevera to help them live a better life than they ever dreamt of.

For more related articles on crohns disease and treatments visit [http://www.crohnsdiseasecause.com/crohns-disease/treatments-for-crohns-disease.php] Amaechi is a student of biomedcine and has done an exhaustive research on crohns disease.

Diagnosing IBS is not that simple. No specific laboratory exam can be used to detect it. So what doctors usually do is that the run a series of medical examinations to rule out other gastrointestinal diseases and one of these medical examinations is colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a type of endoscopic examination that targets the large intestine and some parts of the small bowel. It allows a doctor to see the inner lining of the large bowel. A fiber optic camera or CCD camera fitted on a flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the anus.

Colonoscopy is not only for visualization of the inner lining of the large bowel. The doctor performing the procedure may also be able to do a biopsy or if there is a presence of lesions, he can also remove them. Colonoscopy may also be used to remove polyps that are not larger than 1 millimeter in size.

There is some confusion regarding colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy and people usually make the mistake of interchanging the two. While they both do more or less have the same function, they are actually different.

Colonoscopy is indicated for patients who are experiencing gastrointestinal hemorrhage, suspicion of malignancy or in the case of irritable bowel syndrome, sudden changes in bowel habits.

Sometimes, colonoscopy is also indicated to geriatric patients who have an unexplainable sudden drop of hematocrit even if there is no presence of blood in the stool.

The procedure is also indicated to patients who have bloody stools. Even though it could be just a manifestation of hemmorhoids, bloody stools may also be symptoms of more serious diseases such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, polyps, and colon cancer. Find out more tips about irritable bowel syndrome at http://irritablebowelsyndrome.faq-guide.com

Colonoscopies generally are needed when a person has gastrointestinal problems, such as hemorrhage, changes in bowel habit or they suspect they might have malignancies. The procedure can detect is colon cancer is present in the body.

There are certain conditions that must be present for the colonoscopy to be done. For example, the colon must be free of fecal matter. This means no toxic buildup on the colon walls. The person undergoing treatment is put on a one- to three-day diet consisting of low fiber and/or clear fluids, including water, apple juice, bouillon and sports drinks. They also should not take any aspirin or drink any beverages with color.

Recovery time often is needed following a colonoscopy, generally to allow the sedative to wear off. Colonoscopies range between 20 minutes and a half hour on average. Common side effects following the procedure include flatulence and wind pain, which is caused by air that goes into the colon during the procedure. Colonoscopies are seen as better than X-rays because therapeutic interventions can be made during the procedure.

Learn all about colon cleansing by visiting http://www.ColonCleansingBlog.com today.

Usually needed colonoscopy prep time can be anywhere between 10 and 36 hrs depending on the test type one is having. However, the preparation for the process initiates a week before the beginning of the actual procedure. It is one or two days prior to the procedure that one is required to start the bowel cleaning process.

One Week Prior to Colonoscopy Prep

A week before the actual procedure of colonoscopy takes place; one is forbidden the use of any kind of aspirin or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like naproxen, ibuprofen. In addition to this, one is also asked not to drink during this time.

In a case, one is having some medicines, do not stop taking them on their own rather ask for the advice of cardiologist about stopping the use of these medicines 3 to 5 days prior to the colonoscopy.

Be sure that the health care practitioner is well aware in case one has:

* Tendency to develop latex allergy

* Sleep apnea

* Internal defibrillator

* Gone through hip/knee replacement previous year

* Been using Sinemet

Also make sure that the health practitioner is also informed beforehand if one has antibiotics before visiting the dentist or has problem of diabetes.

To be able to view the inside of the colon i.e. large intestine constitutes an important part of colonoscopy. So, if there will be too much food in the intestine; the physician will not have clear view of the colon. To avoid this problem, one is required to take some medicines to clean the bowel which is known as “bowel prep”, it is essential for the procedure thought is done usually just a day prior to the procedure.

Other Reminders about Colonoscopy Prep

The most important thing to know is that the medicines one has during the colonoscopy can make him/her absent-minded, so it must be ensured that anyone going through the procedure is accompanied to the healthcare facility so that he/she could listen and note down the important information provided by the health professional. One should not go alone during the process.

After colonoscopy is done one should avoid operating or driving heavy machineries for at least about 24 hours at minimum. Moreover, alcohol consumption and the use of any prescription tranquilizers must also be avoided as the medicines used in the colonoscopy are tend to remain in the system for about a day.

To conclude, to have the colonoscopy done successfully, it is essential to get colonoscopy done properly which proves helpful in knowing about the health of colon.

Are You Ready For a Toxic-Free Colon? You are about to know what your colon must know about colon cleaning and colon cleansing herbs. Visit http://www.coloncleansingonline.com to discover about the best colon cleansing method to maintain a natural well-being.