A colonoscopy is a procedure used for detecting colorectal cancer or to remove small pieces of tissue to send to a lab if the medical professional believes there is suspicion of disease or cancer. When reaching the age of 50, every individual should get a colonoscopy every ten years no matter the gender of health of the person.
“Colonoscopies are considered mostly safe and noninvasive.There are still some risks. Most of the time, the risk is outweighed by the benefit of identifying and treating cancer or other bowel diseases.
Here are some risks and side effects:
- intense pain in your abdomen
- internal bleeding from an area where tissue or a polyp was removed
- tear, perforation, or injury to the colon or the rectum (this is very rare, happening in less than 0.002 percent of colonoscopiesTrusted Source)
- negative reaction to anesthesia or sedative used to keep you asleep or relaxed
- heart failure in reaction to substances used
- blood infection that needs to be treated with medications
- emergency surgery needed to repair any damaged tissue
- death (also very rare)
Your doctor may recommend a virtual colonoscopy if you’re at a high risk of these complications. This involves taking 3D images of your colon and examining the images on a computer.” Via healthline
GistMD’s colonoscopy module uses a personalized animated video providing patients scheduled to undergo the procedure with personalized preparatory instructions in a clear and friendly manner. The Module is highly versatile, and is useful in the outpatient, inpatient and community care settings. In the outpatient setting, the Module is associated with a 30% reduction in rates of inadequate bowel preparation. A testimonial from a 72 year old patient who used the colonoscopy module, stated that the module helped her prepare and understand what to do and what would be in the test.