Water exchange colonoscopies reduce discomfort and may lessen need for sedatives

Other than needing to find a provider who does "water exchange" colonoscopies (in addition to the old standard "air insufflation" and the slightly newer "water immersion"), there's no downsides. Water exchange is more effective and less likely to cause pain.

Although most practitioners will do sedation-less colonoscopies with any of those techniques, water exchange makes it much easier.

> Why isn’t a water exchange colonoscopy standard?

> It represents a change in philosophy. Care providers have used air for a long time, and some doctors believe a water exchange procedure is too time consuming. There’s also a skill-set barrier. Many physicians are not trained to perform water exchange colonoscopies. Doctors also have to be comfortable with their patients watching them work. Because the procedure uses minimal to no sedation, patients can follow along on the screen, giving them full transparency.