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Getting Ready For Your Colonoscopy Procedure: Fasting Guidelines And Bowel Prep

6th 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 some basic information about both these important preparatory steps for your colon examination.

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.

Fasting is the first step, and it usually starts the morning of the day before your procedure. Your food choices are very limited once you begin. It’s also possible that your doctor will ask you to fast for longer than the normal 24 hour time frame.

Gelatin and Popsicles are among the more popular foods you’re allowed to eat during the colonoscopy fasting period. However, your flavor choices are restricted. You won’t be permitted to have red or blue because these can discolor the walls of your colon during the procedure. This of course, make it more difficult for your doctor to tell if there are any problems. The following are also allowed

* diet soda.

* fat-free bouillon or broth

* including Life Savers or lemon drops

* black coffee

* plain tea without sweeteners or milk

* strained fruit juice apple, cranberry and white grape are recommended

* plain water

There are some food and drinks you should definitely not consume. These include dairy products like ice cream, milk and any kind of creamy soup.

Many times, you’ll be permitted to drink clear liquids until about four hours before your colonoscopy. But be sure to ask your doctor if it’s okay.

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. Typically, brands include Fleets Phospho-Soda®, Golytely®, and Movi-Prep®.

In most cases, you’ll take a series of doses starting in late afternoon or early evening. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package, along with any recommendations given to you by your doctor.

Your doctor will also want you to drink three-to-six 8-ounce glasses of clear liquid in between doses – possibly even more. This will keep you hydrated, since the laxative will rob your system of a lot of fluids.

When the laxatives begin to work, you’ll feel as if you have a very bad case of diarrhea.

Many people who have had a colonoscopy say the procedure itself is a “breeze.” The hardest part is the colonoscopy fasting and bowel prep that must be done the day before.

The most obvious benefit for having a colonoscopy done lies in making sure there are no signs of cancer in your colon. But there are other benefits too. During your examination, your doctor will also be able to spot other potential trouble-in-the-making, like diverticulosis or polyps that may develop into cancer later.

Colonoscopy procedure technology has come a long way in the last few decades. Along with multiple public awareness campaigns, it is one of the major reasons for a decreasing number of colon cancer diagnoses – and deaths – in recent years.

Click on preparing for a colonoscopy and colon cancer screening procedures to learn more about ways to keep your colon healthy. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV journalist with a special interest in health topics.