Getting a colonoscopy won’t be on the high of your bucket listing, but it surely’s an vital screening software to assist establish colon most cancers, the third commonest most cancers within the U.S. The American Most cancers Society recommends that folks start getting colonoscopies at age 45 or sooner if they’ve uncommon signs or threat components, resembling a household historical past or predisposing situations.
The important thing to a profitable colonoscopy is a radical preparation, utilizing laxatives to cleanse and empty your bowel to make it simpler on your physician to see inside your colon and rectum.
“The higher the prep, the higher the examination. If somebody doesn’t prep nicely, we might miss polyps or different doubtlessly harmful findings,” says Thomas Lake, M.D., colon and rectal surgeon at Jersey Shore College Medical Heart and Ocean College Medical Heart.
Bowel prep may be disagreeable, but it surely’s vital to observe your physician’s directions. In any other case, you could have to reschedule or repeat the take a look at—and face the preparation course of once more.
Select Your Prep
There are a number of totally different laxatives obtainable for colonoscopy prep. Most are liquid, although a capsule choice can also be obtainable. All require consuming a big quantity of liquid, explains Dr. Lake. “Whether or not it is liquid treatment or capsules mixed with consuming numerous water, you are still consuming loads of fluid both means,” he says.
The style of the laxatives varies. Some have a slight lemon taste, whereas others don’t have any taste however may be sweetened to enhance the style. In case you get nauseated simply, inform your physician to allow them to prescribe anti-nausea treatment, Dr. Lake says.
Some colonoscopy preps aren’t fitted to sufferers with kidney or cardiac situations. Your physician will individualize your prep to make sure it doesn’t impression your situation.
Plan for Success
Begin planning your prep a number of days earlier than your colonoscopy. Ensure you have all the pieces you want, together with:
- The prep package
- Accepted flavorings or sweeteners to enhance style
- Clear liquids, resembling clear broth, juices and popsicles
- Delicate bathroom paper or soothing moist wipes
Begin decreasing your fiber consumption a number of days earlier than the process. Your physician may additionally suggest avoiding sure meals, resembling seeds and popcorn.
Time it Proper
Cease consuming strong meals the day earlier than your colonoscopy and swap to a transparent liquid-only eating regimen. Your physician will direct you on when to take the laxative that day, relying on which one you’re utilizing and the time of your colonoscopy.
Taking the laxative won’t be nice, however listed here are some tricks to make it simpler:
- Drink it by a straw
- Hold it chilled
- Combine it with a flavoring or add a sweetener
- Comply with it up with a tasty clear liquid, a sweet, or a lemon wedge
After you are taking the laxative, you may expertise cramps, fuel and bloating. In case you get nauseous, Dr. Lake recommends taking an hour off from consuming the prep. “We don’t need anybody to drink the prep too quick after which vomit,” he says.
As soon as the laxative begins working—wherever from one to 6 hours—anticipate diarrhea and keep near a toilet.
It’s vital to contact your supplier when you’re experiencing issues resembling vomiting or if the prep isn’t having a laxative impact. They’ll troubleshoot the state of affairs with you and should prescribe further treatment.
“My desire is to prep early within the day as a result of then now we have time to give you a Plan B if they’ve any hassle,” says Dr. Lake.
Cease consuming all liquids 4 hours earlier than your process.
Once you end your bowel prep, your stools must be a transparent or barely greenish liquid. In the event that they aren’t, inform your physician.
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The fabric offered by HealthU is meant for use as common data solely and shouldn’t exchange the recommendation of your doctor. All the time seek the advice of your doctor for particular person care.
