What is bowel preparation?
Definition Bowel preparation is a procedure usually undertaken before a diagnostic procedure or treatment can be initiated for certain colorectal diseases. Bowel preparation is a cleansing of the intestines from fecal matter and secretions. Purpose The ultimate goal of bowel preparation is to empty and cleanse the bowel for a diagnostic procedure (using x rays to detect a disease process in the intestines) or for surgical intervention (such as removal of polyps, cancer, or narrowing of the intestinal diameter). Colonoscopy is an effective treatment procedure for polyps (a growing mass of tissue). This procedure enables the doctor to visualize the entire large bowel. During a colonoscopy, polyps can be cauterized (applying an electric current which incinerates the polyp). The procedure can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. A sigmoidoscopy scope is a flexible tube that allows clinicians to view the sigmoid colon (the part of the large intestine before the rectum). This procedure is imp
