Colon Polyps — Diagnosis & Treatment in Okeechobee, FL
Colon polyps are small growths on the lining of the colon or rectum. Most polyps are harmless, but some types can slowly develop into colon cancer over many years — which is why finding and removing them is one of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer. Polyps usually cause no symptoms at all, so they are most often found during routine screening. At Gastro in Florida in Okeechobee, Dr. Vikram Tarugu finds and removes polyps during colonoscopy in our office endoscopy suite, often before they ever cause a problem.
Symptoms
Most colon polyps cause no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Blood in the stool or on toilet paper
- A change in bowel habits lasting more than a week
- Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
- Iron deficiency anemia or unusual fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Because polyps are usually silent, screening matters more than waiting for symptoms. Anyone with rectal bleeding or a lasting change in bowel habits should be evaluated promptly.
Causes and risk factors
Polyps form when cells in the colon lining grow abnormally. Risk increases with age — most polyps appear after age 50 — and with a family history of polyps or colon cancer. Other risk factors include a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fiber, smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, lack of exercise, and certain inherited conditions. People with inflammatory bowel disease also have a higher risk. Most polyps are adenomas, the type most likely to become cancerous over time, while hyperplastic and other types are usually lower risk — the type is determined by examining the removed tissue.
How we diagnose it at Gastro in Florida
Colonoscopy is the gold-standard test for colon polyps: a thin, flexible camera examines the entire colon, and any polyps found are usually removed during the same procedure (polypectomy) and sent for laboratory analysis. Stool-based screening tests can suggest a problem, but they cannot remove polyps or fully examine the colon, so a positive result is followed by colonoscopy. At Gastro in Florida, colonoscopy is performed in our office endoscopy suite with sedation, and you receive same-day results with a clear follow-up plan. Screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk adults, and self-pay colonoscopy starts at $600 for patients without insurance.
Treatment options
Treatment for colon polyps is removal during colonoscopy — a painless procedure performed through the scope, with no incisions. Removed polyps are examined to determine their type and whether any abnormal cells are present. Your follow-up schedule depends on how many polyps were found, their size, and their type: most people need a repeat colonoscopy in three to five years, while some need it sooner. Lifestyle steps that support colon health include eating more fiber, staying active, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol. No medicine dissolves polyps, and this page is general education only — your surveillance plan should be based on your own findings.
When to see a specialist
See a gastroenterologist if you notice blood in your stool, a lasting change in bowel habits, anemia, or unexplained weight loss, or if you are due for screening — from age 45, or earlier with a family history of colon cancer or polyps. Seek urgent care right away for vomiting blood, black or bloody stools, severe abdominal pain, or fainting. If you have had polyps before, keep up with your recommended surveillance colonoscopies even if you feel well.
Related conditions and services: Colon Cancer Screening in Okeechobee, FL, Colonoscopy in Okeechobee, FL, Abdominal Pain.
For colon polyp screening and removal in Okeechobee, call Gastro in Florida at (863) 824-3447 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Vikram Tarugu.
Patients from Sebring, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and across Central Florida visit our Okeechobee office for colonoscopy and polyp screening, with same-day appointments available.