As the name suggests colonoscopy has something to do with the colon. Colon is a part of the large intestine. The large intestine is made of the rectum and the colon. The large intestine is the part of the body where faecal matter is formed. Colonoscopy is a process generally used to view the lining of the colon. The most practiced way of carrying out colonoscopy is using a tubular instrument. The tube used for this purpose is flexible.

Colonoscopy is usually performed on an outpatient. This was there is minimum inconvenience or discomfort to the patient. Colonoscopy is generally performed to find or confirm any colon or rectum discomforts or problems. Colonoscopy is generally performed for older age groups, people over the age of 50. It is also performed to check for colon cancer or anyone with a family history of colon or rectum problems. If anyone has symptoms of colon or rectum problems this procedure is performed. Examples are stomach aches, passing of stool with blood or anemia.

The procedure of colonoscopy is very simple in execution but must be done with utmost care. Before actually going through the procedure the patient is kept on a diet and given a set of medications to clear his colon or bowel. This is done about two days before the actual procedure is performed. On the day of the operation the patient is sedated just before the procedure. The person is then asked to lie down and their anal tract is lubricated. Then the colonoscope or the flexible tube like structure is inserted into the anus of the patient. It is then directed into the intestine along the lining of the colon. The tract is then examined for a problem if any. The procedure takes about half an hour.

Most people feel uneasiness after the procedure which settles as soon as the gas is released. Patients are advised a recovery time of a day. After which they may resume their daily activities.