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Featured: Colonoscopy Main Article

A colonoscopy is a procedure whereby a physician inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the colon. Colonoscopy is the best method currently available to diagnose, detect, and treat abnormalities within the colon.

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    Related Diseases & Conditions

    • Constipation
      Constipation Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week....learn more »
      In This Article
      Constipation Article
      • Constipation facts
      • What is constipation?
      • What causes constipation?
      • Medications that cause constipation
      • Other causes of constipation
      • How is constipation evaluated (diagnosed)?
      • What treatments are available for constipation?
      • Home remedies and OTC medications to treat constipation
      • Prescription drugs to treat constipation
      • Other treatments for constipation
      • What is the approach to the evaluation and treatment of constipation?
      • When should I seek medical care for chronic constipation?
      • What's new in the treatment of constipation?
    • Hemorrhoids
      Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the rectum, usually caused by untreated...learn more »
      In This Article
      Hemorrhoids Article
      • Hemorrhoid facts
      • What are hemorrhoids?
      • What causes hemorrhoids?
      • What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
      • How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for hemorrhoids?
      • Diet
      • Over-the-counter medications for hemorrhoids
      • Nonoperative procedures for internal hemorrhoids
      • Surgery
    • Abdominal Pain
      Abdominal Pain Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of...learn more »
      In This Article
      Abdominal Pain Article
      • Abdominal pain facts
      • What is abdominal pain?
      • What causes abdominal pain?
      • How is the cause of abdominal pain diagnosed?
      • Characteristics, symptoms, and signs of the abdominal pain
      • Associated signs and symptoms of abdominal pain
      • Physical examination
      • Exams and tests
      • Special problem in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain
      • Why can diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain be difficult?
      • How can I help my doctor to determine the cause of my abdominal pain?
    • Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease)
      Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease) Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that...learn more »
      In This Article
      Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease) Article
      • Diverticulosis and diverticulitis facts
      • What is diverticulosis?
      • What is diverticulitis?
      • What are diverticulitis symptoms?
      • What causes diverticula and how do diverticula form?
      • What are the more serious complications of diverticulitis?
      • How are the diagnosis of diverticulitis and diverticulosis made?
      • What is the treatment for diverticulitis and diverticulosis?
      • Medical treatment of diverticulitis and diverticulosis
      • Surgical treatment for diverticulitis
      • What can be done to prevent diverticulitis and diverticulosis?
    • Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia)
      Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia) Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe...learn more »
      In This Article
      Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia) Article
      • Rectal bleeding (blood in stool) facts
      • What does rectal bleeding (blood in stool) mean?
      • What are the causes of blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)?
      • What diseases and conditions can cause blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)?
      • Anal fissure
      • Hemorrhoids
      • Diverticulosis
      • Colon cancer and polyps
      • Polypectomy
      • Angiodysplasias
      • Colitis and proctitis
      • Meckel's diverticulum
      • Rare causes of rectal bleeding
      • How is the cause and site of rectal bleeding determined?
      • History and physical examination
      • Anoscopy
      • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
      • Colonoscopy
      • Radionuclide scans
      • Visceral angiogram
      • Video capsule and small intestine enteroscopy
      • MRI and CT tomographic angiography
      • Nasogastric tube aspiration
      • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
      • Blood tests
      • How is rectal bleeding treated?
    • Ovarian Cancer
      Ovarian Cancer There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer...learn more »
      In This Article
      Ovarian Cancer Article
      • Ovarian cancer facts*
      • What are the ovaries?
      • What is ovarian cancer?
      • What are risk factors for ovarian cancer?
      • Ovarian cancer symptoms
      • How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
      • How is staging for ovarian cancer determined?
      • What is the treatment for ovarian cancer?
      • Treatment methods
      • Surgery
      • Chemotherapy
      • Radiation therapy
      • What are the side effects of treatment for ovarian cancer?
      • What follow-up care is necessary?
      • Where can ovarian cancer patients find support?
      • What research is available for ovarian cancer patients?
      • What resources are available to patients with ovarian cancer?
    View All 32 Colonoscopy Related Diseases & Conditions »

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Procedures & Tests

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Suggested Reading on Colonoscopy by Our Doctors

  • Related Diseases & Conditions

    32 articles
    • Constipation
      • Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is
    • Hemorrhoids
      • Hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the walls of the anus and sometimes around the rectum, usually caused by untreated constipation, but occasionally associated with
    • Abdominal Pain
      • Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an
    • Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis, Diverticular Disease)
      • Diverticulitis is a condition in which diverticuli in the colon rupture. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Diverticulitis
    • Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool, Hematochezia)
      • Rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Rectal bleeding may be moderate to severe and most bleeding comes
    • Ovarian Cancer
      • There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of
    • Anal Itching
      • Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Causes include everything
    • Diarrhea
      • Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms
    • Colitis
      • Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon is referred to as colitis. Symptoms of the inflammation of the colon lining include diarrhea, pain, and blood
    • Colon Cancer
      • Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of
    • Crohn's Disease
      • Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive
    • Internal Bleeding
      • Internal bleeding occurs when an artery or vein is damaged and blood to escapes the circulatory system and collects inside the body. Internal bleeding
    • Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
      • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria (at least 100,000 bacteria per ml of fluid)
    • Clostridium Difficile Colitis (Antibiotic-Associated Colitis, C. difficile colitis)
      • Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores
    • Ulcerative Colitis
      • Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis is closely
    • Colon Polyps
      • Colon are common growths on the inner lining of the colon. Colon polyps may become cancerous. There are several different types of colon polyps, and the
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
      • IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a common gastrointestinal disorder involving abnormal gut contractions (motility) characterized by abdominal pain, bloating,
    • Aortic Stenosis
      • Aortic valve stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart. The causes of aortic stenosis are wear and tear of the valve in the elderly,
    • Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach)
      • Dyspepsia (indigestion) is a functional disease in which the gastrointestinal organs, primarily the stomach and first part of the small intestine, function
    • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Intestinal Problems of IBD)
      • The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The intestinal complications of Crohn's disease and ulcerative
    • Carcinoid Syndrome and Carcinoid Tumor
      • A carcinoid tumor is a tumor that develops from enterochromaffin cells. The important characteristic of carcinoid tumors that sets them apart from other
    • Schistosomiasis
      • Schistosomiasis (snail fever), a disease caused by parasites, causes a variety of symptoms and signs, such as cough, rash and bloody diarrhea. Praziquantel
    • Microscopic Colitis (Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis)
      • Microscopic colitis (lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis) is a disease of inflammation of the colon. Microscopic colitis is only visible when the
    • Endocarditis
      • Endocarditis, a serious infection of one of the four heart valves is caused by growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves; leading to an infected massed
    • Hirschsprung's Disease
      • Hirschsprung's disease (Hirschsprung), is a disease of the nerve cells of of the large intestine. The primary symptom of Hirschsprung's disease is constipation.
    • Melanosis Coli
      • Melanosis coli is a condition that is often associated with prolonged laxative use.
    • The Digestive System
      • Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be
    • Gardner's Syndrome (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)
      • Gardners' syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), is an inherited condition in which cancer of the colon and rectum develop. Colon polyps and
    • Bowel Incontinence
      • Bowel or fecal incontinence refers to the loss of voluntary control of stool, or bowel movements. The condition can include partial incontinence, in which
    • See All Related Diseases & Conditions »

  • Medications

    5 articles

  • Procedures & Tests

    7 articles

  • Pictures, Images & Quizzes

    13 articles

  • Doctor's & Expert's Views

    11 articles

  • Health News

    58 articles

  • Health Features

    4 articles
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