What You Should Know About Having A Colonoscopy Done For The First Time

Your doctor might have recommended that you have a colonoscopy done, and you might have already scheduled the procedure. If it's your first time having this done, however, you might be a bit curious about what to expect on the day of your appointment, and you might be looking for a little bit of advice and insight. These are some of the things that you should know about having a colonoscopy done for the first time.

It's a Common Procedure

Right now, you might feel all alone in knowing that you need to have a colonoscopy done soon. However, you should know that this is a very common procedure. In fact, if you talk to some of your family members and friends about it, there is a good chance that you know a few people who have had a colonoscopy done in the past few years.

It Shouldn't Be Too Painful

Of course, one of the main things that you might be concerned about when it comes to your appointment is whether or not it's going to be painful. After all, the idea of having a colonoscopy done might seem pretty unpleasant. It's true that you might feel some discomfort during the procedure, but overall, you probably won't find it to be overly painful. Your doctor can potentially prescribe you mild pain medication if you are concerned about being in pain or if you find that you are in pain after the procedure.

It's Important

Even though your doctor might have recommended that you have a colonoscopy done, you might be thinking about putting off your appointment or skipping it entirely. After all, you might not feel as if you are dealing with any major health issues, so you might not really think it's worth the time and trouble. However, colonoscopies are used to look for serious problems like polyps or cancer. If you do have polyps or cancer, diagnosing those issues early can make a big difference. Therefore, no matter how tempted you might be to put off your appointment, you should know that having a colonoscopy done when your doctor recommends it is an important thing to do.

It Doesn't Have a Long Recovery Period

If you have a busy schedule, you might be worried about how long you will be out of commission after having a colonoscopy. Luckily, within about 24 hours or so, you should be able to resume your normal activities. If you don't feel as if you are ready to resume normal activity after a day or so after your colonoscopy, you should consult your doctor or another medical professional for advice. 

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