So today marks one week since I went to the hospital to get a routine colonoscopy performed on me. Fortunately, no polyps were found...but I learned that I have this condition known as diverticulosis. Diverticulosis takes place when slight defects in the muscle of the large intestine's wall allow pockets or pouches (also known as diverticula) to form in the intestine, a.k.a. colon.
Diverticulosis is the result of long-standing constipation and thus can lead to hemorrhoids, which were found in small amounts internally and externally on my colon.
According to the report that I received after the medical procedure, nothing significant needs to be done to treat the diverticulosis—except to increase the fiber intake in my diet and perhaps use Metamucil, a fiber health supplement. Other than this, I don't need to get another colonoscopy for the next 10 years. Knock on wood!
So if you're at least the age of 45 (which I turned last October), you should get a colonoscopy too! This painless procedure only lasts around 30 minutes, you're under a slight sedation while the examination is performed, and the liquid diet prep that you do the day before isn't that bad. Going to the restroom every 5 minutes or so for a bowel movement during the night is worth it once you get this very-important procedure completed, and your results hopefully come out clean (pun unintended).
Happy Thursday!
