COLONOSCOPY

[laci]

I HAD A COLONOSCOPY DONE  YESTERDAY, THE DOCTOR SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL.HE TOOK BIOPSIES ANYWAYS, HE WILL LET ME KNOW THE RESULTS. HE  SAID HE SAW NO SIGNS OF  POLYPS, CANCER , CROHNS, OR U-COLITIS. WHT IS HE LOOKIN FOR MICROSCOPICALLY? COULD THESE OTHER THINGS STILL  EXIST.  BEFORE ALL THIS, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH C-DIFF, WITHOUT ANTIBIOTIC USE. ALL MY BLOODWORK  WAS NORMAL.THIS IS WHAT PROMPTED HIM TO DO A COLONOSCOPY. THE NURSE THAT WAS TAKIN CARE OF ME YESTERDAY, SAYS SHE HAS MICROSCOPIC COLITIS. ONLY SEEN THROUGH BIOPSY. MAYBE THIS IS WHT HE LOOKIN FOR. IS THIS A COMMOM  DISEASE? IS THERE MEDS TO CONTROL THIS TYPE OF COLITIS. IF THIS BIPOSY COME BACK NORMAL, CAN I BE REST ASSURED OF NO SERIOUS BOWEL  DISORDERS THAN?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Although through visual examination the bowel can appear to be normal, the only way to be sure is to look at the samples under a microscope (i.e. a biopsy).  If the biopsy samples come back normal, it is unlikely that there is a serious bowel disorder present.  

Any suspicious lesion (i.e. polyp) that is seen during visual inspection of the colon is normally sent for biopsy for a more definitive diagnosis.  

Microscopic colitis is a form of colitis that can present with watery diarrhea, especially in the elderly population.  A biopsy via the colonoscopy would be needed to evaluate for this possibility.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com