While some people are far more conscious about the things that they eat than other people, how many of them actually stop to wonder how the food they eat affects their digestive system? An unfortunate number of people do not consider this at all, and so, once they become middle aged, it becomes necessary to start thinking about the various medical procedures that will be needed to show exactly how healthy their digestive system is.
One of these medical procedures is the virtual colonoscopy. This is a procedure that has really been a pioneer of medical technology, because it offers patients a minimally invasive alternative to the original procedure. Something that a lot of people who are thinking about having a virtual colonoscopy done will wonder is in regard to the kind of technology that makes such a procedure available in the first place.
A virtual colonoscopy uses advanced CT scanning technology. This kind of scan uses advances in radiology to scan the body more quickly, and in a more detailed manner. In this case of a virtual colonoscopy, the scan of the abdomen will be transmitted into a computer, which will allow the doctor to virtually travel through the patient's colon.
So, how does the patient prepare for this procedure? First of all, it is important to show up to the appointment in comfortable, metal-free clothing. That means clothing items like jeans and basically anything with zippers are out of the question. However, it is also important to note that the technician might prefer that you wear a basic robe, which will be supplied when you get there.
In order to commence with the procedure, the patient will be asked to lie down on a small examining table. While the customary position will be on the back, sometimes the technician might instead ask the patient to lie on their stomach or on their side. These positions will be changed with each pass of the scanner, to make sure that all views of the colon are obtained. For comfort, the patient will be given a pillow. Additionally, straps might be used to secure the patient in place.
Next, a small tube will be placed about two inches up into the rectum, through which will be pumped air. The entire purpose of this procedure is to see if any potentially cancerous polyps are present. The air will thus allow the technician to get the best possible view. This being done, the scanner will move over the table for about fifteen seconds, during which time the patient will be asked to hold their breath. After the scans are completed, the tube is removed. The procedure takes, in total, only about fifteen minutes.
The patient will be able to resume their everyday activities immediately following the procedure. Many more people are choosing this procedure over the original one because there is far less of a chance of the colon being perforated since the tube is not inserted that far. This is a great alternative for people who have a delicate physical composition, such as the elderly. Las, but certainly not in the least bit least, this procedure is less expensive.
