Photo courtesy AAP.
Colonoscopy is a procedure for diagnosing and treating a variety of problems encountered in the colon (also called the large bowel or intestine). It is performed using an instrument called a colonoscope, which is a flexible tube that is about the thickness of a finger and is inserted via the rectum into the colon, and allows the doctor to examine the lining of the bowel. If the doctor sees a suspicious area or need to evaluate an area of inflammation in greater detail, he can pass an instrument through the colonoscope and take a piece of tissue (a biopsy) for examination in a laboratory. (Colorectal Surgical Society of Australasia)
Why is it important?
Colonoscopy is effective for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's Disease.
Useful Websites:
Gastroenterological Society of Australia
For more information, take a look through "Help Yourself: an A-Z of natural cures for common complaints" by Mim Beim and Jan Castorina. It's published by Doubleday and is available through all good bookstores.
