DEAR DOCTORS: I'm having my first colonoscopy in a few months. My friends say it's unpleasant, and I'm already dreading it. I think it would help if I knew what's going to happen. How often do you need to get a colonoscopy? And is there any way around having to use that prep drink?
DEAR READER: A colonoscopy is an exam that allows a doctor to see the inside of the large intestine. It may be used to identify the cause of certain bowel-related symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or chronic diarrhoea.
