How Can I Make the Prep for a Colonoscopy Easier?
- Colonoscopies are performed for many reasons. They can help find the first traces of colon cancer, as well as some other types of cancers in the digestive tract. A colonoscopy can also detect other medical conditions that affect bowel activity, such as inflamed tissue, ulcers, and other out-of-the-ordinary growths. Usually this procedure can detect a condition that might be causing a patient to have bloody stool, rapid weight loss, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits.
- It almost takes a whole day before the actual colonoscopy to prepare the body. Common bowel preparations include changes to diet, taking a laxative, and taking different forms of other elements to prepare the body .
Changes in diet must begin 24 hours before the procedure. Your diet should consist of strictly clear liquids, such as broth, water, or Jell-O. Avoid fibers that are insoluble and food items that contain red, blue, or purple dyes. In addition to the change in diet, a patient must consume about a gallon of a polyethylene glycol, called PEG, and or an oral sodium phosphate, or OSP, solution 24 hours before the procedure. These solutions help cleanse the digestive system and are necessary for a colonoscopy to succeed. The dosage of PEG and OSP will depend upon your doctor's orders. Finally, you must take a laxative to further clear the bowels. - When you are presented with the instructions for preparations for your colonoscopy, they can seem overwhelming. To make preparations a bit easier to cope with, do some of the following things. First, make sure you receive your instructions well in advance of the date of your scheduled procedure. This will ensure that you can mentally and physically prepare. Ask any questions of your medical provider so you can be clear about the entire preparation in addition to the actual colonoscopy. Asking questions is the only way to know what to expect.
A week before the preparations are to begin, make sure you have everything you need. This includes the solutions and laxatives your medical professional has prescribed or recommended. You also might want to pick up some medicated wet wipes and some Vaseline or Desitin. These help with chafing or soreness as your bowels are emptied. Clear your schedule for the day before, so the preparation can be done with as little stress as possible. While out shopping for your preparation, pick up a flavored powder drink without the prohibited dyes in them to flavor the solutions of PEG/OSP solutions, because they tend to not taste appealing. Last, you should probably plan to spend time in the bathroom, and wear clothing that is easy to remove. Once the medications begin working, it is hard to hold your bowel movements and make it to the bathroom. Therefore, camp out in the bathroom with items to keep you occupied. This will ensure less cleanup.
