Many may think a colonoscopy is a routine test to screen for colon cancer.
While that’s true, there are also times when waiting for a scheduled appointment isn’t the safest choice. Certain symptoms and test results may necessitate an urgent colonoscopy, and acting quickly can help uncover problems and guide the appropriate treatment.
Seeing blood in the stool is always a red flag. It may appear bright red in the toilet, streaked on the paper, or darker and mixed in with stool. Hemorrhoids and small tears can cause bleeding, but so can:
Because it is impossible to know the source without looking directly inside the colon, colonoscopy is the safest next step.
Sometimes blood loss is hidden. Low iron on a blood test may be the first clue. People with iron deficiency anemia often feel unusually tired and notice pale skin. A colonoscopy helps search for silent bleeding that slowly depletes iron stores over time, such as:
Dropping weight without trying can signal trouble, and many medical issues can cause weight loss. Changes in the colon, however, are among the most concerning. Colonoscopy allows the doctor to check for:
Ongoing abdominal pain is different from occasional stomachaches. A colonoscopy can help determine whether the pain is related to conditions like:
Persistent changes in bowel function should never be brushed off. A colonoscopy provides a direct view to uncover infection or bowel disease that occurs with these warning signs:
There are at-home colon cancer screening tests, such as:
A positive result indicates that something abnormal was detected, but it does not explain the underlying cause. Colonoscopy is a necessary follow-up procedure that allows doctors to identify reasons the test may be positive. They can also collect tissue samples or remove polyps as needed. It’s important to note that these tests can sometimes have false positives, so your doctor may not find any problems during your colonoscopy.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which affect the colon, carry an increased cancer risk. These conditions also cause flares marked by:
During a flare, a colonoscopy helps assess the extent of colon inflammation. They can also identify any precancerous changes. Even when symptoms are quiet, patients with inflammatory bowel disease need colonoscopies more often than those at average risk.
Sometimes, a CT scan, MRI, or other imaging test reveals unexpected changes in the colon that need further evaluation, including:
Colonoscopy provides the doctor with a clear view of the area and the ability to take biopsies to confirm a diagnosis.
Colonoscopy is more than a screening tool for cancer. It is also one of the best ways to investigate conditions like:
An urgent colonoscopy can answer pressing questions and, in many cases, prevent small problems from becoming major ones.
If you think you may need an urgent colonoscopy, don’t delay – schedule an appointment today!
Our experienced gastroenterologists perform urgent colonoscopies and screening colonoscopies at our convenient locations across San Antonio.
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