The better the quality of your bowel prep, the higher the chance that your doctor can find polyps.
By finding polyps early, there is a better chance of preventing colon cancer.
Three days before your colonoscopy, you will need to begin a low residue diet of foods that are very low in fiber and easy to digest.
Examples of low residue foods you can eat are: white bread, rice and pasta, plain crackers, canned fruit and cooked vegetables without skin or seeds, lean meat, chicken or fish without skin, eggs, and limited amounts of dairy.
Do not eat whole-grains, nuts, seeds, fatty foods, tough meat, raw or dried fruit, raw or partially cooked vegetables, and no corn, broccoli, peas or beans.
The day before and the day of your colonoscopy you will need to limit your diet to clear liquids only.
Examples of clear liquids your doctor may recommend include: clear broth, black tea or coffee, clear, light-colored juices, clear soft-drinks, clear sports drinks, plain gelatine without fruit, pulp-free juice bars, and water.
Do not drink alcohol, liquids you can not see through, or dairy products, or red or purple liquids (as these colors may linger in the colon and make the examination more difficult).
On the day of your colonoscopy, you must not drink anything two hours before your procedure.
Bowel preps are prescription and over-the-counter medications that cause diarrhea for several hours, and thus, empty your colon.
They require you to drink large volumes of clear liquids and that you stay well hydrated during the process.
There are different types of bowel prep medications available and your doctor will give you exact instructions to follow.
Some bowel prep medications work by flooding liquid through your colon to flush out stool.
Other bowel prep medications work by pulling large amounts of water into your colon to flush out stool.
No matter which bowel prep medication you are prescribed, the recommended way to take it is called “split dose”.
This means you will need to drink half your bowel prep medication the night before your colonoscopy, and drink the other half 4 to 6 hours before your procedure.
Bowel prep medications should be used with caution in patients with heart failure, kidney failure, end-stage liver disease, or other medical conditions.
Be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
Preparing for a colonoscopy may feel scary or uncomfortable, but it is very important to do it right.
Remember: A complete bowel prep is the key to a good colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy is the easiest and best way to prevent and detect colon cancer. Take action and talk to your doctor about your bowel health.
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