A colonoscopy is one of the best ways to spot or help prevent colon cancer. But many people who should have the procedure don’t because they’re afraid of what they have to go through to get ready for it.
Before your procedure, you’ll go through a process called colonoscopy preparation, and it could begin a few days ahead of time. It’s inconvenient and somewhat unpleasant, but it’s temporary, and it might help save your life.
Here’s how to make the process as smooth as possible.
Clear your schedule for the evening before and the day of your colonoscopy, and make plans for someone to go with you the day of the colonoscopy.
Shop for some key supplies: a prescription or over-the-counter laxative specified by your doctor; low-fibre food; sports drinks, juices, and broths; moist wipes and diaper cream.
Laxatives help clean out your bowels so your doctor can see the inside of your colon. Not preparing well could mean your doctor will postpone or cancel your colonoscopy.
You can help the bowel cleansing process by eating light three or four days before the procedure.
Doctors recommend low-fibre foods that are easy to digest and leave your system quickly: white bread, pasta, and rice; well-cooked vegetables without skin; fruit without skin or seeds; lean meat, chicken, or fish or eggs.
Don’t eat: seeds, nuts, or popcorn; fatty foods; tough meat; whole grains; raw vegetables; fruit with seeds or peel; corn, broccoli, cabbage, beans, or peas.
At this point, you should stop taking vitamins or other supplements and any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning meds.
The day before your procedure, you can’t eat anything solid. You should only consume clear (see-through) liquids. Staying hydrated is important. You can have gelatine and ice pops, but stay away from anything coloured red, blue, or purple. The dyes can discolour the lining of the colon and make it harder for the doctor to see.
Two to four hours before the procedure, be sure not to drink or eat anything (please consult your doctor on the exact time to stop consuming clear liquids).
You’ll drink the laxative the evening before your colonoscopy and will stop eating solid food after breakfast the day before.
You’ll take strong laxatives the night before your colonoscopy to clear your digestive tract. The method recommended for most people is split dosing.
You probably won’t enjoy the taste of the solution, but there are tricks to help get it down: mix it with something flavoured, like a sports drink or powdered drink mix; follow it with a sip of something good-tasting and suck on a lemon slice or piece of hard candy after drinking.
Once the laxative starts working, you’ll have frequent, forceful diarrhoea. You may have cramps and bloating. If you have haemorrhoids, they may become irritated. You may also feel nauseated and even vomit.
Try these tips to make yourself as comfortable as possible: stay in the bathroom (bring something to entertain yourself, like a book, television, or laptop); apply diaper cream before the diarrhoea starts; use moist wipes to clean yourself.
The purge process may still be happening as you head to your appointment. If you’re worried about having an accident, consider wearing adult diapers and pack extra clothes.
Article submitted by the HPA Group
