Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy is specifically designed to examine the sigmoid colon which is the last third of the colon while descending. The colon is the organ which helps you absorb all the healthy things like water and nutrients for the smooth functioning of your body. It is also where your stool is stored.

A Sigmoidoscopy procedure is recommended when the patient has the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Changes in bowel habits

The doctor uses a sigmoidoscope a long, flexible tube with a half an inch diameter. It gives direct and clear visual of the rectum and the lower part of the colon.

In most cases doctors tend to recommend a Colonoscopy. This usually happens when they are unable to say which part of the colon is causing problems. But if it is almost certain that the problem is because of the sigmoid colon, which is when the doctor recommends a Sigmoidoscopy.

A Sigmoidoscopy also known as a flexible Sigmoidoscopy, allows a doctor to look into the sigmoid colon and detect the causes for a variety of pains and discomfort including:

• ulcers
• polyps
• abnormal cells
• cancer