A routine colonoscopy is recommended if you are aged above 45 and are at risk of colon cancer. It is also recommended if you have unexplained abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea or constipation, and rectal bleeding. Sometimes, a colonoscopy is recommended to treat certain conditions or remove polyps in the colon lining.
Whatever the reason for the recommendation, you should know how to prepare for a colonoscopy and some things to do and not to do before a colonoscopy. This article will help you learn more about colonoscopy and how to prepare yourself before a colonoscopy.
What is a colon?
The colon is the longest part of our large intestine. It absorbs water, electrolytes, and some nutrients from the digested food and passes the remaining waste or stools into the rectum.
What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy involves the examination of the inside of the colon by sending a flexible tube fitted with a camera and light into the colon through the anus and rectum. The decive is called colonoscope. It helps the physician look at the inside of the colon on a screen.
A colonoscopy helps diagnose diseases involving the large intestine and identify the reasons for unexplained rectal bleeding, constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. It also allows screening people for colon cancer, getting tissue samples for biopsy, resecting polyps, injecting medicines, removing blockages, and treating some digestive conditions.
How to prepare for a colonoscopy?
Although the procedure sounds scary, uncomfortable, and embarrassing, it is essential and can be life-saving. Before getting a colonoscopy, your doctor will explain the procedure and ask you to do a colon prep. This prep will help clear and clean the colon so that the gastroenterologist will get a clear view of the lining and avoid rescheduling. The preparation will start a few days before the actual procedure.
- The preparation involves dietary changes a few days before the test, where you might have to follow a low-fibre diet, eat smaller meals, and follow a complete liquid diet a day before the test.
- Your doctor will prescribe laxatives as pills or large amounts of liquids. They should be taken a day before and on the morning of the procedure. The laxatives will induce diarrhoea to clean and clear your colon
- Your doctor will also adjust your medicines for your existing health conditions like diabetes, heart problems, blood clotting issues, and blood pressure.
- Your doctor will finally ask for your consent before proceeding with a colonoscopy.
What are the tips to follow while prepping for a colonoscopy?
- Ensure you get all the information and instructions from doctors before, during, and after the procedure.
- Inform the doctor about any allergies you have or any allergic reactions you had during previous colonoscopies.
- The colon prepping procedure could be stressful for some people. Arrange for privacy and time as needed.
- Having a completely liquid diet could be boring. Keep a variety of clear liquids handy.
- Add variety to your liquid diet by including popsicles, clear soups, and jell-O.
- Drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
- Some colon prep laxatives can taste bad an difficult to swallow. Drink them chilled, or add ginger or lime to add flavour. Use a straw and place it back in the throat to avoid tasting the prep liquid.
- Finish the prep liquid.
- Stay as close as possible to the bathroom and wear loose clothing.
- Prepare yourself to stay in the bathroom for a long time with magazines, music, or books.
- Keep diaper creams, lotions, and medicated wet wipes handy, especially if you are suffering from anal fissures, haemorrhoids, or anal bleeding.
- Remember that prep liquid causes diarrhoea and sometimes abdominal cramps.
What are the things not to do before a colonoscopy?
- Avoid eating red meat, fried foods, and high-fibre foods like raw vegetables, corn, peas, and whole grains a few days before the procedure.
- Stop taking fibre supplements.
- Avoid eating large meals a few days before the procedure.
- Stop eating solid food from the day before the colonoscopy.
- Do not add milk or cream to your tea or coffee.
- Avoid drinking smoothies made from fruits and vegetables, especially those with seeds.
- Do not drink alcohol before the procedure.
- Do not drink energy drinks with purple, blue, or red dyes.
- Do not hold back when you feel the urgency to pass stools once the prep starts.
- Do not leave the colon prep process and the prep liquid unfinished.
- Do not consume anything from 2 hours before the procedure to avoid vomiting during the procedure.
Takeaway points
- Colonoscopy involves examining the inside of the colon with a tube fitted with a camera.
- Follow some dietary modifications to clean and clear the colon to improve visualization.
- Start a liquid diet from the day before the procedure and take colonoscopy prep laxatives as prescribed by the doctor.
- Be aware of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
- Follow the tips to make your colon preparation experience comfortable and hassle-free.
Visit Bangalore Gastro Centre Hospitals in HSR Layout if you want to get a colonoscopy test in Bangalore. The highly qualified and experienced specialists at Bangalore Gastro Centre will explain to you in detail about colonoscopy before performing it. The courteous staff at this facility will make you comfortable throughout the process.
