Preparing for a colonoscopy
Diet, tips, and instructions for a smooth colonoscopy prep
If you shudder at the thought of having a colonoscopy to check for hidden
colon cancer, chances are it's the "prep" that's stoking your
apprehension. But what's most off-putting is the purgative part: taking a
powerful bowel-clearing substance and coping with the resulting diarrhea.
What's involved in colonoscopy prep?
Emptying the contents of the colon is a key requirement for a
successful colonoscopy. If the bowel prep
isn't up to par, polyps and lesions can be missed; the colonoscopy may take
longer (increasing the risk of complications); or the whole process may need to
be repeated or rescheduled, meaning another round of bowel prep.
Different medical centers recommend different ways to prepare
the bowel for a colonoscopy. There are two parts: diet and drinking
bowel-cleaning liquids. Here are some of the main strategies.
Colonoscopy prep diet
A few days before the colonoscopy procedure — Start eating a
low-fiber diet: no whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or raw fruits or
vegetables.
The day before the colonoscopy procedure — Don't eat solid
foods. Instead, consume only clear liquids like clear broth or bouillon, black
coffee or tea, clear juice (apple, white grape), clear soft drinks or sports
drinks, Jell-O, popsicles, etc.
The day of the colonoscopy procedure — As on the
previous day, clear liquid foods only. Don't eat or drink anything two hours
before the procedure.
Bowel prep for colonoscopy
The afternoon or evening before the colonoscopy, drink a liquid that
will trigger bowel-clearing diarrhea. The exact colonoscopy prep instructions
depend on the bowel prep your doctor prefers, the time of your colonoscopy, and
any prior experience you've had with colon preps (if one didn't work before,
you'll likely be prescribed a different one).
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