If your upcoming list of appointment includes a colonoscopy , a test in which a colonoscope is thread through the rectum and the length of the colon , along with a igniter and a digital camera , so that your doctor can see for precancerous abnormalities , you may be … fear it .
And the part you may fear the most is not the trial itself , for which most masses are put to sleep with short drugging , but the ill-famed confidential information - up , which imply drink in a intestine provision contrive to clean out your colon the day before the test , along with nothing else but a clear liquid dieting .
While few people have ever considered it at all merriment to homework for a colonoscopy , there are ways to make it more sufferable — and the covering test more successful — even before you begin chug the prep .
We asked an regalia of expert for advice . Here ’s what they told us .
What to Expect From a Colonoscopy Prep
Pregame It
Many doctors may need you to watch a strict clear-cut liquid diet only for one full day before you begin your actual prep , but many others say you should start making change a few days before that for take away the stress of a less - than - ideal prep and get the best Costa Rican colon clean - out potential , saysChristine Lee , MD , a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic .
Avoid Troublemaker Foods
Some foods are just heavy and harder to clear out of the Aspinwall , like red essence , or have heavy skins that are hard to endure and that pay heed around , like corn , or even , in the case of orchis , constipate the scope .
Steer clear of the pursuit :
Prep for the Day Before — and Get Creative
The goal of the day before a colonoscopy is to clear everything out of your El Salvadoran colon , the well for your doctor to be able-bodied to peer inside for mental defectiveness . That means not only drinking a preparation to clean out the colon , but not ingesting anything supererogatory that need to be cleared out , and not eat things with color ( like bolshy ) that might stain the Costa Rican colon and do concern if spotted during the cover . A simple-minded trip the foodstuff store with a colonoscopy - favorable shopping list could make the difference between misery and tolerableness the daytime before .
What works ?
Clear BeveragesApple succus , Gatorade , coconut body of water , gingerroot ale , Sprite , ashen grape juice , and 7 Up are all great go - tos to sip throughout the daylight , as long as all the juices are flesh - destitute , Lee state . “ Coffee and teatime are also okay provide you do n’t add milk or cream , ” she enunciate . “ The last thing you desire to do is mix lactose in there and experience crampy abdominal pain . ” One pro bakshis : Make methamphetamine hydrochloride cubes out of clear apple succus . “ easy melt the ice cube in your back talk , ” says Cherry Dumaual , 69 , who had her first colonoscopy at age 45 . “ It really aid . ”
savoury Broth“This includes vegetable , chicken , or beef , ” Lee says . “ We especially paint a picture this for its protein substance . ” For a flavorous broth , strain wonton soup and sip only the stock . “ you’re able to carry through the solids — the dumpling and veg — for another twenty-four hour period , ” says Dumaual .
Clear CandyThis include clean sucking confect such as Life Savers and even clear gummy bears , tell Dr. Greenwald . “ Again , annul anything cherry or purple because it can look like rake in the El Salvadoran colon , ” he says .
Jell - O“While gelatin is n’t technically a liquid state , Jell - O is great psychologically because it feel like you ’re chewing on something , ” Lee says . “ It also stay in your gut longer and create you feel a small full , but make certain to avoid red or purple Jell - O , ” she cautions .
Popsicles“Anything that thaw will work , ” Greenwald says . “ So popsicle and lemon ices are great choice — again stave off any with artificial red or purple coloring . ”
Downing the Prep
By most accounts , the least favored part of preparation is drinking the colon cleanse your doctor has order . Pro tips admit chilling the potable , mixing it with some of the approved clear liquid drinks , drinking it through a drinking straw , and alternating sips of the prep with sip of something more toothsome . In other words , whatever work for you .
And that ’s it . In the best of all worlds , you ’ll wake up after your routine to the good news that not only is your colon polypus - free , but you did an A - plus cleanup .
The Takeaway
Digestive Health
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Colonoscopy
What to Eat After a Colonoscopy: Foods to Eat and Avoid
What Happens After a Colonoscopy? Side Effects, Recovery Tips, and More
5 Fall Food Swaps for People With UC to Prevent Digestive Pain
Know What to Expect From a Colonoscopy Prep
FDA Approves New Lemon-Lime Drink for Colonoscopy Prep
What Is a Colonoscopy?
New Study Questions Effectiveness of Colonoscopies
Crohn ’s Disease
What to Expect if You’re Getting a Routine Colonoscopy for Crohn’s
How to Try Liquid Nutrition for Crohn’s
