Kolonoskopia

Kolonoskopia is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the large intestine, also known as the colon and rectum. It involves the insertion of a flexible tube with a camera attached, called a colonoscope, through the anus. This allows a physician to visualize the lining of the colon for any abnormalities, such as polyps, inflammation, or cancer.

The procedure typically requires bowel preparation beforehand to ensure the colon is empty and clear for optimal viewing. This usually involves a special diet and laxatives. During the colonoscopy, the patient is usually given sedation to ensure comfort. The examination itself takes about 30 to 60 minutes. If polyps are found, they can often be removed during the procedure.

Colonoscopy is a vital tool for colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and investigation of symptoms such as rectal bleeding, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Following the procedure, patients are monitored until the sedation wears off. Most people can resume their normal activities the next day. While generally safe, potential risks include bleeding and perforation of the colon, though these are rare.