Colonoscopy procedure explained [Video]

why do 19 million Americans get a colonoscopy every year a colonoscopy might sound daunting but it’s just a way to check your inner workings it is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of your colon or large intestine for abnormalities such as polyps tumors or inflammation it’s an important tool for detecting colon cancer and other gastrointestinal issues at first you clean out your colon with a special diet and laxatives the day before this ensures the doctor can get a clear view during the procedure a doctor uses a long fible tube called a colonoscope which has a tiny camera at the end this camera allows the doctor to view the inside of your colon on a screen Additionally the doctor can take biopsies or small tissue samples and remove polyps right then and there polyps are growths that can potentially turn into cancer so removing them is a vital preventive measure the procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes and is performed under sedation so you won’t feel any discomfort you can go home after the procedure