The only major risk I can think of with a colonoscopy other than the fact that it is unpleasant, is ruptured bowel. This usually only happens when the intestine is in a weakened state to begin with such as with colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, doctors are looking for little things called polyps. These range in size but sort of look like pimples without the heads. These are precursors to colon cancer and removing them is the most effective way to prevent colon caner. Nowadays, most facilities use conscious sedation so you are not even aware of what is going on during the procedure although you can choose to be awake if you want to. After-wards, besides being groggy, you just feel bloated due to all the gas they have to pump into your intestines so they can see every nook and cranny.
The only major risk I can think of with a colonoscopy other than the fact that it is unpleasant, is ruptured bowel. This usually only happens when the intestine is in a weakened state to begin with such as with colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, doctors are looking for little things called polyps. These range in size but sort of look like pimples without the heads. These are precursors to colon cancer and removing them is the most effective way to prevent colon caner. Nowadays, most facilities use conscious sedation so you are not even aware of what is going on during the procedure although you can choose to be awake if you want to. After-wards, besides being groggy, you just feel bloated due to all the gas they have to pump into your intestines so they can see every nook and cranny.