Patient instructions before Colonoscopy : A good bowel preparation is key to smooth colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is one of the important investigations in diagnosing Inflammatory bowel disease or bleeding from the bottom . It helps in early diagnosis & treatment.
Preparing for a colonoscopy
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 good , 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.
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).
Colonoscopy prep tips:
1. Make sure you receive your colonoscopy prep instructions well before your procedure date, and read them completely as soon as you get them.
2. Water can get boring, so keep a variety of clear liquids on hand.
you can have clear broth, coffee or tea (without milk or creamer), soft drinks, Italian ice, or Gatorade.
3. To make a bad-tasting liquid prep like magnesium citrate easier to swallow, try one or more of the following if it doesn’t come flavored:
Add some ginger or lime; drink it chilled; drink it through a straw placed far back on your tongue; hold your nose and drink it as quickly as possible;
quickly suck on a lemon slice after you finish each glass; hold a lemon or lime under your nose while you drink; suck on a hard candy after each glass.
4. On the day of the procedure Wear loose clothing, and stay near the bathroom. because when the urge hits, it’s hard to hold back. Consider setting up shop near the toilet with music, your laptop, magazines, or books.
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