Information on Virtual Colonoscopies Dania FL

As a person ages, it only makes sense that their digestive system ages as well. People who have been diligent healthy eaters for the majority of their lives will probably be at risk for fewer digestive problems. Conversely, people who have not been healthy eaters start, once they reach middle age, finding that they become at risk for a myriad of different digestive irregularities.

One example of a test that people who are middle aged and older will need to have done on an annual basis is a virtual colonoscopy , which is performed at a virtual colonoscopy center. In order to understand what this kind of procedure entails, it is important to first gain a better understanding of why the colon needs to be checked in the first place.

The colon, also known as the small intestine, has a very important role in the digestive process. It is through the colon that the food gets processed and eventually eliminated. People, therefore, who have eaten starchy and unprocessed foods throughout their life, run the risk of developing colon irregularities. Colon cancer, which might also be a genetic predisposition, is yet another thing that will be checked at a virtual colonoscopy center.

What makes the procedure done at a virtual colonoscopy center different from a traditional colonoscopy is the amount of invasiveness. The original procedure involved having the patient mildly sedated while a specialized camera that was attached to a long tube was inserted up the rectum. Needless to say, the risk of perforation and internal bleeding were especially high for fragile older people who had this procedure done. Also, the original procedure was a rather lengthy one, lasting about an hour.

However, at a virtual colonoscopy center , the technology has advanced to such a point that the colon can be checked via a minimally invasive procedure. Through computer software that is connected to the scanner being used, the technician as well as the attending doctor will be able to take a virtual journey through the colon to check for cancerous polyps as well as any other colon irregularities.

Whereas in the original procedure the patient had to wear a medical gown, in the updated version the person can wear regular clothes, as long as they are comfortable and do not wear any metal. This means that buttons, zippers, eyeglasses, hair accessories, and hearing aids are all things that a person will need to not wear during the procedure. The reason for this is that the metal affects the overall performance of the scanner.

Next, the patient will be asked to lie down on an examination table, and a small plastic tube will be inserted about two inches into the rectum of the patient. Next, some air will be blow through the tube to make sure that there are not any folds present in the colon that would impair the scanning results. Next, the scanner will make several passes over the body of the patient, wherein the patient will probably need to change positions. The overall procedure takes about fifteen minutes, after which time the patient is usually able to resume regular activities.

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