| s they happen to come from a family that repeatedly | | | | which could prove fatal if they are not properly |
| has people living happily into their hundreds, most | | | | diagnosed in advance. |
| people do not like the idea of becoming old. Basically, | | | | Needless to say, the virtual colonoscopy comes as a |
| that is because they dread all of the different things | | | | welcome relief to patients who really do not want to |
| that could go wrong with their health. It seems that | | | | be probed. However, this does not mean that the |
| once a person turns fifty, he or she automatically end | | | | patient is not still subjected to that drink the night |
| up needing to check their colon. | | | | before, because the colon still needs to be properly |
| For the people who dread the traditional colonoscopy | | | | cleansed. |
| procedure, technology has given them the virtual | | | | At this point, patients will probably ask what the |
| colonoscopy. However, in order to truly appreciate the | | | | particulars of a virtual colonoscopy entail. Well, if the |
| advancements that a virtual colonoscopy has brought, | | | | patient has ever had an x-ray, they are already ahead |
| one must first understand the tradition method. | | | | of the situation, because that is basically what this |
| So, chances are that when you reach middle age, your | | | | procedure is. Thanks to the advancement in x-ray |
| doctor will tell you that in addition to your usual blood | | | | technology, bones and teeth are not the only things |
| work, you will need a colonoscopy once a year. The | | | | that can be seen in detail. Now, organs and tissue can |
| idea behind this rather archaic experiment is that the | | | | also be seen as well, and in a three-dimensional format. |
| person will have to abstain from certain foods for | | | | This procedure is somewhat of a hybrid between a |
| several days, pretty much restricting themselves to a | | | | regular x-ray and a CT scan. While elements of the |
| liquid diet. | | | | regular x-ray are used, the patient is in an enclosed |
| Then, before the date of the actual procedure, they will | | | | space similar to that of what is required in a CT scan. |
| have to drink a specialized drink that completely clears | | | | Those who are claustrophobic might not be very |
| the colon. This means that the patient had better have | | | | happy with this, but they will certainly be pleased that |
| something to read and like the décor of their | | | | they will no longer have to deal with the invasiveness |
| bathroom, as they will be spending a couple of hours in | | | | of the original procedure. |
| it. | | | | As with the original procedure, this will be performed in |
| On the day of the actual procedure, the patient will | | | | an outpatient facility. While the original procedure |
| have to not only expose his or her bottom to the | | | | required local anesthesia, this procedure does not. In |
| medical team, but will have to have a long probe | | | | fact, all the patient has to do is wear a medical robe |
| inserted up it. This is to check for polyps in the colon, | | | | and lay as still as possible. |