7 Things to Avoid Before a Colonoscopy

Table of Contents:

1. Can I Have Chocolate Before a Colonoscopy?
2. Can I Have a Smoothie Before a Colonoscopy?
3. Can I Drink Alcohol Before a Colonoscopy?
4. Why Can’t The Liquids I Drink Be Red, Purple, or Blue?
5. Why Can’t I Have Milk Before a Colonoscopy?
6. Should I Ask About a Split Prep?
7. What Makes Colonoscopy Prep Drinks More Palatable?

Colonoscopy Prep

It’s one of the most laughed about, complained about, and stressed about steps of the colonoscopy process: prep night.

While it’s nobody’s favorite step, prep is necessary to clear the rectum and colon before the procedure. An incomplete bowel prep could mean missed adenomas (polyps) during a colonoscopy, while a successful prep allows for better visibility during the colonoscopy – which means doctors have a higher chance of seeing polyps, tumors, and inflammation in your colon. According to Dr. Douglas Rex from the Indiana University School of Medicine, about 40% of people who should have a colonoscopy, don’t: because of the prep!

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There are many types of bowel prep – with varying amounts of liquid, different flavors, and different costs. When it comes to what you can or cannot eat and drink, a lot of people get overwhelmed. So, let’s answer some common prep questions to help ease your mind.

1. Can I Have Chocolate Before a Colonoscopy?

Leading up to your colonoscopy, yes, you can have chocolate! It is recommended that you follow a low-fiber diet (simply put, stay away from foods that can’t be digested as easily, such as fiber, seeds, or nuts, for example) for two to three days before your colonoscopy. This means that you can enjoy multiple forms of chocolate (solid milk chocolate or hot cocoa); however, you want to steer clear of any chocolate with nuts. The bad news is, 24 hours before your procedure, you have to stick to clear liquids, and hot chocolate is not considered a clear liquid.

2. Can I Have a Smoothie Before a Colonoscopy?

In order to have a successful colonoscopy, it is recommended to avoid smoothies for three days before your colonoscopy. You also should avoid fruits and vegetables with seeds or indigestible fiber since they are difficult to digest and may interfere with your doctor’s ability to examine your colon. Examples include:

• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Corn
• Popcorn
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Nuts

Xem thêm : Health 360

A good rule of thumb is: If you cannot see through it, if it has pulp, or contains anything that you need to chew in order to swallow, then do not drink it.

3. Can I Drink Alcohol Before a Colonoscopy?

According to UCLA Health, there are many reasons why you cannot drink alcohol before a colonoscopy.

The main reason to stay away from alcohol is because it is dehydrating, and you will already be losing a lot of fluids due to the colonoscopy prep. You can avoid dehydration by drinking GatoradeⓇ (not red, purple, or blue), and other drinks with plenty of electrolytes.

Alcohol may interact with the sedatives used during the procedure. Avoid all alcoholic beverages regardless if they are clear or not.

4. Why Can’t The Liquids I Drink Be Red, Purple, or Blue?

Drinks that contain red, purple, or blue coloring can stain the walls of your colon. During your colonoscopy, these stains can interfere with the test and look like blood or other abnormalities. To ensure you get accurate results, physicians ask that you avoid drinks with certain coloring during your colonoscopy prep.

5. Why Can’t I Have Milk Before a Colonoscopy?

Anything that you drink other than clear liquids can end up inside of the colon. Similar to how certain dyes can affect your colonoscopy, traces of milk can hide a possible polyp in the walls of the colon.

6. Should I Ask About a Split Prep?

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If your doctor doesn’t offer a split prep, ask about it. A split prep cleansing agent is when you take half the prep the day before your colonoscopy, and the other half the day of the procedure. This type of dosing is recommended in guidelines for colonoscopy bowel prep because it tends to be more effective, and it supplies a better patient experience than a single dose.

7. What Makes Colonoscopy Prep Drinks More Palatable?

The thought of drinking a gallon of laxative-fluids may not sound appealing or manageable. Thankfully, over the years, many different prep solutions have been created. Patients have a variety of prep solutions to choose from. You also do not have to drink the prep all in one sitting. In some cases, patients have the choice to drink the prep over two days and in smaller doses, making it much more palatable.

According to SamHealth, an online health service, there are even cherry-flavored prep drinks that taste better than earlier versions of bowel prep solutions.

It is important to properly prepare for a colonoscopy so that your gastroenterologist gets a good look inside your colon to accurately screen for colorectal cancer. Although a strawberry smoothie sounds great the day of your colonoscopy, drinks that contain anything that you need to chew in order to swallow are not allowed. If you are struggling to get the whole container of the solution down, try mixing your prep with something flavored, like a sports drink or powdered drink mix like Crystal lightⓇ (​​no red or purple). Also, using a straw helps the prep bypass the taste buds and go down easier.

Find whatever works best for you to make the process as smooth as possible, so it’s done right the first time.

So – What Do You Think?

Many people reported at the end that when you consider the benefits of the exam, the prep “really isn’t that bad.”

More Information on Colonoscopy Prep:

• ‘Patient-friendly’ colonoscopy prep shows excellent efficacy and safety
• Colonoscopy Prep
• Colonoscopy Prep: 9 Expert Tips for the Night Before
• Clear Liquids Before Colonoscopy — Really Necessary?

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