Digestive Health Exams and Procedures

When your doctor orders a digestive health exam like a colonoscopy, knowing what to expect can reduce any anxiety you have. Explore what you need to know.
Doctor showing intestine model to patient in office
Colon and Rectal Surgeon: Expertise, Specialities, and Training
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Vitamin D Testing
Vitamin D Test: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Female person holds human intestines model at body
Enteroscopy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Illustration inside intestine
Gastric Emptying Scan: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Female doctor examining petri dish in a lab
Why You Shouldn't Try a Fecal Transplant At Home
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
HIDA scan
What Is a HIDA Scan: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
Pain or cramps in stomach
Common Tests Used to Diagnose Abdominal Pain
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
Female technologist performing ultrasound on patient
Abdominal Ultrasound: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
PET Scan machine
PET Scans for Staging Colorectal Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Man sitting on a toilet bowl
Colonoscopy: How to Prepare
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
tranquil white bathroom
Overview of Enemas and Your Health
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
A slide on a lit up microscope
How a Colon Biopsy Is Performed
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
A man sleeping in a hospital bed
Potential Risks of a Colonoscopy
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
Biopsy Slides
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Biopsy
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
C-Users-New-Age-Enterprises-Pictures-About-Photos-sonography.jpg
Sonography: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
empty toilet paper rolls
How to Know When Bowel Prep Is Complete
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Woman standing on bathmat, low section
Guide to Using an Enema at Home
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Illustration of a polyp being removed
Polypectomy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Concerned woman in bathroom
What Is Normal Stool After Ostomy Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Colonoscope
How Effective Is Colonoscopy in Preventing Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Akash Goel, MD
endoscopy
EGD: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Woman with abdominal pain Woman with abdominal pain at home
Fecal Transplant: Donor Selection, Procedure, and Recovery
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Toilet with checked tile floor
What Is a Stool Culture?
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
A doctor holding an endoscope with gloves on
Learn About the Different Types of Endoscopy Procedures
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
A virtual colonoscopy looks at the colon via CT images
Virtual Colonoscopy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Magnetic Resonance Enterography: Purpose, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Blood tests in a doctors hand
How the Fecal Immunochemical Test Detects Hidden Blood
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
Nervous female patient behind doctor
5 Tips to Overcome Discomfort During an Exam
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
Endoscope
Endoscopic Ultrasound: Uses, Side Effects, and Results
Medically reviewed by Emmy Ludwig, MD
Toilet paper running out
An Overview of the Bristol Stool Chart
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD