What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a preparation of your large intestine (the colon). It can help prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancerous. Doctors use a lighted tube called a colonoscope to look inside your colon and take tissue samples from all areas. Colonoscopy preparation, as suggested by the colonoscopy clinic Toronto requires careful attention to diet and bowel health before the test so that it goes smoothly.
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Avoid these things before you get your colonoscopy done.
Colonoscopy is a gastroscopic procedure that allows the physician to examine the entire colon. If you have symptoms of gastrointestinal issues or wish to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy is necessary. Search out the best colonoscopy doctors near me to ensure the procedure goes comfortably.
Colonoscopy Preparation
A colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine the large intestine, that is, the colon. It requires preparation before and after the examination. During a colonoscopy, your doctor will use a flexible tube and a camera attached to it to see inside your rectum, sigmoid, and descending colon.
Before you get ready for a colonoscopy, you must learn what you can and can’t have before the procedure. It’s not just about avoiding junk food. Some foods could slow digestion or cause other problems during the colonoscopy procedure. Here are a few things you should consider while undergoing the exam.
Avoid Chocolate
It’s a common question, but the simple answer is no. Chocolate can cause constipation and other digestive problems that can delay your colonoscopy.
Chocolate contains caffeine and fat, which can delay digestion. Eating chocolate before your exam could take longer for food to pass through your system, making it harder for doctors to get clear pictures of your large intestine (colon).
Avoid Smoothie
Yes, you can have a smoothie before your colonoscopy. However, there are some restrictions on what you should and shouldn’t eat before your procedure.
You should avoid eating solid foods before the procedure because they could cause irritation to the lining of the intestine and make it more difficult for doctors to get an accurate picture of your colon tissue during the exam. If you have trouble swallowing pills or capsules, ask if there’s another type of medication that would work better for you. You may be able to take liquid medicine instead, but avoid taking any red or purple liquids.
Milk, Yogurt, and other milk products are also not allowed either since they can make bowel movements harder after surgery; talk with your doctor about what else might be okay.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic. However, it makes you urinate more, causing dehydration and increasing the risk of nausea or vomiting.
In addition to these risks, alcohol also interferes with the sedative used during your procedure. If you drink alcohol within 24 hours of your colonoscopy, your colonoscopy clinic Toronto might reschedule your appointment so they can administer a more potent sedative than usual.
Avoid Red, Purple, or Blue Liquids
Red, purple, and blue colored drinks can cause stains on your colon walls. However, during the colonoscopy procedure, they can affect the results since the stains can appear like blood or other signs of abnormality. To ensure accurate results, the doctors will recommend that you avoid liquid with specific colors during your colonoscopy preparation.
Avoid Milk
You can’t have milk before a colonoscopy because it’s a source of fats, which can slow down the movement of the colonoscopy prep through your bowels. Drink only clear liquids such as water and coffee without cream or sugar to ensure you’re adequately hydrated before your procedure. Avoid milk, cream, and ice cream during this period. Besides, do not eat any dairy products after midnight on the night before your test.
Ask About a Split Prep?
A split prep is a laxative treatment that you can take to prepare for your colonoscopy. It involves taking two pills: one to clean out your bowels and another to clear out any remaining waste from the first pill.
Doctors recommend split preps to reduce the risk of bowel movements during the procedure, which could interfere with good images during their colon inspection. If you’re considering asking about this option, make sure you understand the pros and cons before making up your mind.
Although many patients find that split prep makes them feel less bloated during their exam than if they took all three medications simultaneously, however more comfortable! These drugs also take longer before they start working fully and effectively, cleaning out everything inside our body’s largest organ system. In addition, some side effects are associated with both types of medication used in split preps: nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal cramping, and pain.
Colonoscopy Prep Drinks are More Palatable
Drinking a gallon of laxative fluids may not make you feel appealing or feasible. Many different prep solutions have been created over the years. Patients can now pick from a wide range of prep options. Patients can consume only part of the prep in one go. They can take the prep over two days in smaller doses, making it more digestible.
You can also try cherry-flavored drinks available. These drinks taste more appealing than the earlier versions of bowel prep options. It is crucial to get ready for your colonoscopy to ensure your gastroenterologist gets an accurate view of your colon to test for any issue or disease. However, things that make you chew hard before swallowing are not acceptable.
You can mix your prep with flavored stuff like an energy sprouts drink or powdered dink if you find it hard to get the prep solution down. Indeed, ensure that the added flavors are not purple, red, or blue.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about colonoscopy prep, we hope this article has helped to answer some of them. For more information, please don’t hesitate to call Canadian Place Endoscopy. We’re here to help!
