A colonoscopy is a telescopic and visual examination of the colon and rectum. It helps doctors detect abnormalities in the bowel, including signs of colorectal cancer, polyps, unexplained diarrhea, ...

This important procedure doesn’t have to feel awkward or embarrassing. Here’s what to know to make it easier.

A colonoscopy is an exam that lets your physician see your entire colon. Before the test, your health care team will give you instructions for how to clear your colon of any stool. This process is ...

Colonoscopy is at the heart of gastroenterology. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool and it has become the central figure in the crusade against colorectal cancer. Seven gastroenterologists ...

A combined colonoscopy and endoscopy lets a doctor examine your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, all in one procedure. Doctors use a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy to help diagnose the ...

Endoscopy and colonoscopy are both minimally invasive procedures using similar tools. However, they have different purposes. Doctors use endoscopy in several tests throughout the body, but they ...

Colonoscopy vs. Sigmoidoscopy: What’s the Difference? If your doctor wants to check the health of your colon — whether as part of a routine screening or to investigate a concern — they may recommend a ...

Why Do People Get a Colonoscopy for Ulcerative Colitis? Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and sores to form in the large intestine and rectum. It ...

Before a colonoscopy, a person needs to drink a special fluid that clears their bowels to make any irregularities easier to spot during the procedure. Some people may call this a “colonoscopy prep ...

From time to time, we hear or read about medical procedures that can be ineffective and needlessly drive up the nation’s health-care costs. This occasional series explores such needless treatments or ...