![]() ![]() Colonoscopy preps come in a variety of forms, flavors and liquid volumes, so you should work with your doctor to find the right prep for you. Taking this approach may help you empty your bowels more easily and make the prep more comfortable.įind the right prep for you. To improve visibility of the polyps, cut back on high-fiber foods 2-3 days before your colonoscopy.Īlthough it may be tempting to eat a lot before you go through your colonoscopy prep, you may benefit from eating smaller meals a day or two beforehand. High-fiber foods such as beans, nuts, whole grains and raw fruits and vegetables can leave residue in the colon that makes it more difficult for the doctor to see colon polyps. Cream or ointment for anal skin irritationĬut back on fiber.Clear liquids, such as broth, coffee or tea, ice pops and gelatin (lemon, lime and orange only).You’ll also want to purchase the laxative medication/solution recommended by your doctor, as well as other supplies. This will give you time to contact your doctor’s office with any questions and arrange your schedule so you can be home on your prep day. Read your prep instructions thoroughly one week before your colonoscopy. Here are a few recommendations that may minimize discomfort and help you get the most from your colonoscopy. It’s normal to worry about completing a colonoscopy prep, especially if you’re having your first colonoscopy. ![]() What are some tips to make my colonoscopy prep easier? If you don’t completely empty the colon, it makes finding some polyps more difficult and also can cause a need for a repeat colonoscopy. By properly emptying the colon, the doctor has the best chance of finding tumors and hard-to-see colon polyps in their earliest stages. Why is colonoscopy prep so important?ĭuring a colonoscopy, the doctor’s goal is to identify any signs of cancer and remove precancerous polyps. You also need to stick to a clear liquid diet to keep your bowels free of waste. The day before the colonoscopy, you take a special laxative and drink a large volume (up to 4 liters) of liquids to help you empty your bowels. To prepare, or “prep,” for a colonoscopy, you have to empty your bowels so the doctor can clearly see the inside of the colon. Colonoscopies are so effective at preventing colorectal cancer that some people only need to have one every 10 years. If the doctor finds a colon polyp, he or she removes it before it has a chance to turn into cancer. The doctor can examine the entire colon using the image on the screen. The camera on the colonoscope transmits an image of the inside of the colon to a screen. A colonoscopy is the best colorectal cancer screening test and the only screening test that can help prevent cancer.ĭuring a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera called a colonoscope through the rectum and into the colon. What is a colonoscopy?Ī colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to examine the entire colon for signs of colorectal cancer and colon polyps, which are growths that can turn into cancer in 5-10 years if left untreated. There are several things you can do to make your prep more effective so you get the maximum benefit from your colonoscopy. Although the prep can be a bit annoying and inconvenient, it’s an important step to ensure a thorough and successful colonoscopy. What people dread most about having a colonoscopy is the preparation (or “prep”) that you must do beforehand. Many people don’t recall anything about it but the great nap that they had! While it’s often regarded with angst, a colonoscopy is a brief 20- to 30-minute procedure that’s done while you’re under anesthesia. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to examine your entire colon and remove pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. ![]() By Nishi Pandey, DO, Virtua GastroenterologistĪround your 45th birthday, your doctor will recommend that you have a colonoscopy, which is the best test to screen for and prevent colorectal cancer.
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