Colonoscopy Clinic Singapore: What are the Reasons to Visit One Urgently?
A colonoscopy clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the colon and rectum. These clinics are staffed by teams of medical professionals trained in gastroenterology.
So, when visiting a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore, you should expect to find gastroenterologists, who are doctors who specialize in digestive health. The other medical professionals you might find in a colonoscopy clinic include nurses who assist with the procedure and provide care before and after.
You may also find anesthesiologists who administer sedation to keep you comfortable during the procedure and pathologists who analyze tissue samples collected during the colonoscopy for further diagnosis. In today’s piece, we break down key reasons for a potential urgent visit to a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore.
Why Would a Doctor want you to get a Colonoscopy Urgently?
Usually, colonoscopies are performed to screen for colon cancer, detect and remove polyps, investigate symptoms like abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, and monitor or manage conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. Normally, those who have an average risk of getting colon cancer begin the exam at age 45. So, it may come as a surprise if you’re recommended an urgent colonoscopy thus the question; why would a doctor want you to get a colonoscopy?
A doctor may refer you for an urgent colonoscopy if you display severe symptoms like sudden changes in bowel habits, unexplained sudden rectal bleeding, or acute abdominal pain. Thanks to the procedure, your doctor may be able to tell for sure what is causing the symptoms you’re getting.
Here are some other reasons that may warrant an urgent visit to a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore;
- Suspected Intestinal Obstruction or Blockage: If a doctor suspects that there’s a blockage or obstruction in your intestines, they may recommend a colonoscopy urgently. This procedure can help them visualize the extent and location of the blockage to allow for prompt treatment to alleviate the obstruction.
- Positive Results from a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT): A positive FOBT result indicates the presence of blood in the stool. This can be a sign of various gastrointestinal issues, including colorectal cancer which is quite serious. A colonoscopy is often recommended urgently to investigate further and determine the cause of the bleeding.
- Anemia: Anemia, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath for example, can indicate internal bleeding. A colonoscopy can help identify the source of the bleeding, which could be from conditions like ulcers, polyps, or cancer. All these conditions prompt the need for urgent intervention.
- Significant, Unexplained Weight Loss: Rapid and unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of various underlying health issues. For example, it may be indicative of gastrointestinal disorders like colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy can help identify any abnormalities in the colon that may be contributing to the weight loss.
What Serious Disorder can be found during a Colonoscopy?
A timely visit to a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore is crucial for diagnosing and treating conditions early. This is particularly crucial for improving treatment outcomes, especially for conditions that are difficult to treat. When visiting a colonoscopy clinic a rather common question that may constantly be racing through your mind is; what serious disorder can be found during a colonoscopy?
The answer is cancer of the colon (bowel cancer). The most direct way to identify colon cancer during a colonoscopy is through visual inspection. As the gastroenterologist examines the lining of the colon using a colonoscope, they can identify cancerous growths, known as tumors on the colon’s lining.
If any suspicious growths are identified, the gastroenterologist may take a biopsy. For the biopsy, a small tissue sample will be removed from the growth and then sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. This allows for a definitive diagnosis of cancerous cells.
In fact, during a colonoscopy, any polyps discovered are usually removed and sent for biopsy to determine if they are cancerous or precancerous. The other serious conditions that can be discovered during your visit to the colonoscopy clinic in Singapore are; inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and diverticulosis or diverticulitis.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known to cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. This impact can cause various symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
Colonoscopies allow doctors to visually inspect the lining of the colon for signs of inflammation, ulcers, or other abnormalities that are characteristic of IBD. As already explained, colonoscopies also enable doctors to take tissue samples (biopsies) for further examination. Biopsies can help confirm a diagnosis of IBD and differentiate between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, as the two conditions affect different parts of the digestive tract.
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis occurs when small, bulging pouches (diverticula) form in the lining of your digestive system. Usually, they develop in the colon.
Now, these pouches are generally harmless and often go unnoticed. However, they can become troublesome if they get inflamed or infected situations which may lead to diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis can cause unbearable abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits and fever. It can be diagnosed through a colonoscopy as the procedure allows a doctor to examine the inside of your colon for abnormalities. During a colonoscopy, the doctor can identify diverticula and any signs of inflammation or infection.
In Closing
There are several varied reasons to visit a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore. If recommended an appointment with a specialist urgently, try your best to see them as soon as possible as some diseases identified through colonoscopies are best managed early.
To find a good colonoscopy clinic in Singapore, look for clinics that specialize in gastrointestinal (GI) procedures like colonoscopies. Check their websites for information about their doctors, services, and patient reviews. Ensure the clinic is accredited and its doctors board-certified in gastroenterology.
Meet a Specialist Now
We understand that a recommendation to visit a colonoscopy clinic in Singapore can come as a surprise. However, it is for your own benefit so get seen by a specialist as soon as possible.
We handle every case we receive independently to ensure the best treatment outcomes so engage our friendly staff today for a thorough assessment and tailored treatment program. You can drop us a line now or visit us.
Having completed my Bachelor’s degree in medicine and currently pursuing a house job at a well reputed hospital in California, I decided to utilize my spare time in sharing knowledge with others through my blog. Apart from my time spent in the medical field, I love to read fiction novels and go on long drives.
