Written by Steve Sandstrom, SIU School of Medicine

When you reach the age of 50, this milestone birthday can be a cause for celebration and reflection. It may trigger a sense of time slipping away and bring a newfound focus and urgency for what you hope to accomplish in the years ahead.
With half a century under your belt, doctors and health-care practitioner encourage you to do at least one thing in that year ahead: get a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a test that allows a doctor to look at the inner lining of the large intestine (rectum and colon). Using a thin, flexible tube with a small video camera attached, the physician examines the walls of the intestine for polyps or other irregularities that could develop into cancer and removes any suspect tissue and abnormal growths.
The examination itself is painless and relatively short. It takes place while you’re under general anesthesia.

However, before the test, you will need to do a “colon prep” to clear the plumbing. For many people, the prep is worse than the test. It takes 1 to 2 days, depending on which type of prep your doctor recommends. It may involve drinking a special solution. If so, be sure to have clear fruit juices or sports drinks on hand after the prep because the solution may have a salty or unpleasant taste.
Plan to stay home during prep time. The bowel prep may cause discomfort and loose, frequent stools. That’s of necessity: your intestines need to be completely empty before the test. A family member or friend is required to drive you home afterwards. Once the test has been completed, you’re free to return to your regular dietary habits. The exam results should be available within the week.

The frequency of follow-up testing depends on the results of the colonoscopy. For patients with a clean prognosis, you get a decade to relax — and another reason to cringe about your 60th birthday.

Copyright SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois