| The list of medical problems facing those who | | | | colonoscopy or a sigmoidosocopy. These are |
| have diabetes can seem endless. If you are | | | | relatively painless and are conducted as an |
| diabetic, you already know the complications that | | | | outpatient. Patients are often given a light |
| can arise. Not long ago, yet another issue was | | | | sedative, before and after the testing. |
| added to the list of concerns. Recent studies | | | | It is important for diabetics to understand that |
| suggest that those with diabetes have a higher | | | | they may have a problem while preparing for the |
| risk of developing colorectal cancer. But it is not all | | | | exam. The day before the procedure, patients |
| bad news. If you have diabetes, colorectal cancer | | | | must follow a liquid diet and this could cause |
| that is caught early is often curable. Colorectal | | | | problems for some diabetics. In addition, patients |
| cancers are the second most common cause of | | | | are given a strong laxative which can cause |
| cancer deaths in the United States. | | | | dehydration, fainting, dizziness, and low-blood |
| Diabetes itself is not listed as a risk factor for | | | | glucose. |
| colorectal cancer, but age is. People should begin | | | | Diabetics preparing for a colonoscopy procedure |
| screening for the disease at the age of 50 or | | | | should test their blood sugar level more often the |
| sooner. This is especially true if you have a family | | | | day before the test in order to keep track of the |
| history of colon cancer, or have had irritable | | | | glucose levels. Increased testing should continue |
| bowel syndrome. | | | | for a few days after the testing. If you are |
| Irritable bowel syndrome is consists of prolonged | | | | diabetic, your doctor should try to schedule the |
| diarrhea or constant constipation, either of which | | | | test for as early in the morning as possible. You |
| are often increased with high levels of stress. | | | | will fast from midnight the day before until after |
| People with a history of IBS should understand | | | | your test is completed. |
| that they may be a higher risk for colorectal | | | | Laxatives can be hard to swallow, but one trick is |
| cancer. | | | | to refrigerate the liquid laxative overnight before |
| But you can protect yourself from this disease. | | | | taking it, and drink it as quickly as possible to |
| Diets of fresh fruits, vegetables, and less red | | | | avoid the bitter taste. If you are taking insulin to |
| meat helps prevent colorectal cancer. Maintaining | | | | control your diabetes, you will need to speak to |
| the proper weight and getting plenty of exercise | | | | your doctor to see if you should reduce your |
| is also beneficial. In addition, you should start to | | | | dosage prior to the test and for on the day of |
| have colorectal screening when you turn 50. Early | | | | the test. |
| screening is imperative for the early detection and | | | | Diabetics, as everyone else, can help protect |
| treatment of colorectal cancer. | | | | themselves from colorectal cancer by eating |
| Screenings are conducted in private rooms done | | | | foods high in fiber, fresh fruit, and vegetables. |
| by qualified technicians who are sensitive to your | | | | Decrease red meats and exercise as well are |
| privacy. Most patients will either have a | | | | important. |