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Fasting Rules And Bowel Preparation For Your Colonoscopy

9th October, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Colonoscopy fasting is one of two related and important steps you must take in preparation for a colonoscopy procedure. The other is commonly known as bowel prep.

The goal of this article is to provide you with information about both.

Your doctor needs to be able to see the walls of your colon clearly during the colonoscopy procedure. When you fast and take a prescribed laxative the day before, you’re making sure there will be no stool or other intestinal debris to obstruct the doctor’s view.

The colonoscopy procedure itself rarely lasts more than 60 minutes. Some take a lot less than that. But your doctor will want you to to start the colonoscopy preparation process a full day in advance.

In most cases, your doctor will ask you to start your colonoscopy fasting the day before the procedure. This varies – it may be slightly longer, depending on your doctor’s wishes. During the fasting period, your food choices will be extremely limited.

While you’re fasting, you’ll be permitted to eat gelatin or Popsicles – but only in certain flavors. Red and blue are prohibited because they can influence the color of your colon walls during your colonoscopy. The following are also allowed

* diet soda.

* fat-free bouillon or broth

* including Life Savers or lemon drops

* plain coffee

* plain tea without sweeteners or milk

* strained fruit juice specifically apple, white grape, or cranberry

* plain water

Definitely stay away from cream soups, milk, ice cream and similar dairy products.

Usually, your doctor will allow you to have clear liquids until approximately four hours before your procedure. But be sure to ask him or her about it.

In addition to food and drink restrictions, you’ll also have to complete the other major step prior to your colonoscopy, known as “bowel prep.”

There are several types of strong laxatives your doctor will prescribe, and you’ll take these the evening before your colonoscopy. The best known – and most often recommended – brand names are Fleets Phospho-Soda®, Golytely®, and Movi-Prep®.

Generally, you start taking the laxative in a number of doses in late afternoon or early evening. Following directions carefully and also follow any additional recommendations from your doctor.

These laxatives will take a lot of fluids out of your system, so your doctor will recommend that you drink three-to-six glasses of water or clear liquid (about 8 ounces each) in between each dose.

After you take several doses of the laxatives, you’ll feel them beginning to work. You’ll feel like you have diarrhea, and you should be prepared to take repeated trips to the bathroom during the rest of the evening.

After having a colonoscopy, many people say the procedure itself was easier than they thought it would be. Since you’re sedated, you don’t really feel any pain or discomfort. The fasting (which takes some determination) and the bowel prep (which can definitely be unpleasant) – are frequently described as the hardest part of the process.

The biggest benefit of having a colonoscopy is in making sure your colon is free of any signs of colon cancer. But your doctor will also be able to look for symptoms of future problems, like diverticulosis or colon polyps (which can later become cancerous).

Thanks to advances in colonoscopy procedure technology, plus increased public awareness through media campaigns, the number of colon cancer cases in the last few decades has been steadily decreasing.

Click on bowel preparation and colon cancer screening procedures to learn more about maintaining good colon health. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV talk show host with a special interest in health and fitness topics.