Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history about 85 years old female with diarrhea of several times in a week, difficult to control sometimes hence not going out of house, incontinence problem, there is a pain in the lower abdomen all the time, consulted a Doctor, scheduled for colonoscopy with explained risk due to age, COPD, osteoporosis, multiple back fractures. As per the history that you have provided, this looks to be due to the deficiency of vitamins A and D, others and mineral too. Since there is incontinence, the examination should concentrate an the anal canal, the sphincters and perineum. I would advise you the following in such a situation: First of all, consult a General Surgeon or a for proper clinical evaluation, per-rectal digital examination and measurement of the tones of the anal sphincters as they go loose with age or due to some disease. It is possible that a simple Thiersch s stitch can help solve the problem. Get the stool test and if there is an evidence of an infection get an appropriate antibiotic and metronidazole course that may cover up the problem and cured. Take probiotics. Add banana and yogurt. Colonoscopy to be done only if the routine medical management fails to cure.