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
What Is a Colorectal Surgeon (a Proctologist)?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Vitamin D Testing
What to Expect From Vitamin D Testing
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Female person holds human intestines model at body
What Is Small Bowel Enteroscopy?
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Illustration inside intestine
What Is a Gastric Emptying Scan?
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Female doctor examining petri dish in a lab
Fecal Transplants Are Not a DIY Project
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
HIDA scan
What Is a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) Scan?
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
What to Expect During an Abdominal Ultrasound
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
PET Scan machine
How Do PET Scans Work in Staging Colorectal Cancer?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Man sitting on a toilet bowl
How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
tranquil white bathroom
Benefits and Risks of Using Enemas for Digestive 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
What to Expect When Undergoing Sonography
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
empty toilet paper rolls
How Do You Know When Your Bowel Prep Is Complete?
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Woman standing on bathmat, low section
Simple Instructions on How to Use an Enema
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Illustration of a polyp being removed
What to Expect if You Need a Polypectomy
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
Concerned woman in bathroom
What Is Normal Stool After Ostomy Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD
Colonoscope
Why a Colonoscopy Can Sometimes Miss Signs of Cancer
Medically reviewed by Akash Goel, MD
endoscopy
What Is an EGD?
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Woman with abdominal pain Woman with abdominal pain at home
For Severe Intestinal Problems, a Fecal Transplant May Be the Answer
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Toilet with checked tile floor
Why Might Your Doctor Order A Stool Culture?
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
A doctor holding an endoscope with gloves on
Understand How an Endoscopy Can Help Treat Different Health Conditions
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
A virtual colonoscopy looks at the colon via CT images
What Is a Virtual Colonoscopy?
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
What Is Magnetic Resonance Enterography?
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD
Blood tests in a doctors hand
Learn How a FIT Test Can Find Blood in Stool That You Can't See
Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS
Nervous female patient behind doctor
5 Ways to Manage Pain and Fear During a Rectal Exam
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH
Endoscope
Endoscopic Ultrasound: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
Toilet paper running out
Everything You Need to Know About the Bristol Stool Chart
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD