What bowel preparation steps are involved before the colonoscopy?Your doctor will prescribe the type of bowel prep that is best for you. You will receive specific instructions. In general, here is what you can expect: Show
Why is bowel prep important?Many patients feel that the bowel prep is the most difficult part of a colonoscopy. It is important that you try your best to fully complete the prep. What are the types of bowel prep?Several types of bowel prep medications are available. Your physician will recommend which prep you should take. You will need to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about the exact dose and timing of your prep. Some types of prep may be covered by your medical insurance. You’ll want to find out if you have any out-of-pocket costs. What determines the type of prep I get?Your medical condition is the most important factor in deciding which type of bowel prep is best for you. It is best to share your complete medical history with your doctor. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have a history of bowel obstruction. Let the doctor know if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease, or if you have had any of these diseases in the past. You need to mention any allergies you have to medications to the doctor. If you have had difficulty with a bowel prep in the past, be sure to mention this as well. Other factors in choosing the type of prep are the time of the colonoscopy appointment, individual preferences (taste and amount of medication), and out-of-pocket costs. What if I forget to take the medication when I should, or remember too late to finish the prep?Call your doctor and ask what to do if you are not able to complete the bowel prep as advised. The procedure might need to be canceled and rescheduled. What are the common side effects of bowel prep?You should expect to have multiple loose bowel movements with minimal discomfort while doing the prep. However, some people will have nausea, vomiting, bloating (swelling in the abdomen) or abdominal pain. Serious side effects are uncommon. Your doctor will explain the possible side effects of the prep selected for you. Understanding Bowel Preparation Before ColonoscopyIt is extremely important that your colon be thoroughly cleaned before your colonoscopy. This will let the doctor see any abnormalities, such as colon polyps, during the procedure. Polyps are small growths in the colon that could later turn into cancer. Cleansing the colon before a colonoscopy is called bowel preparation, or “prep.” It involves taking medication that causes frequent, loose bowel movements to empty the colon. The medication is taken by mouth, and typically comes in liquid form. You will also need to change what you eat during the day or two before the colonoscopy. Most bowel preparations involve drinking some prep liquid at two different times. The best way to cleanse the colon is with a “split-dose” bowel preparation. This involves drinking the first portion of the liquid preparation the evening prior to the colonoscopy, and then drinking the second part of the liquid preparation on the day of the colonoscopy. If your colonoscopy is scheduled to start in the morning, you must wake up early in the morning on the day of the colonoscopy to drink the second part of the prep. This can be an inconvenience for some people, but it gives your doctor the best chance of finding polyps or cancers in your colon. Taking both portions of the bowel preparation the evening prior to the colonoscopy, instead of taking the second portion of the prep on the morning of your colonoscopy, is an alternative option for cleansing the bowel. However, studies have shown that taking at least half of the prep solution on the same day as the colonoscopy provides the best bowel cleansing, which improves your doctors ability to find polyps and cancers in your colon. You should not drink any liquids (not even prep solution) within 2-3 hours of your colonoscopy. It is important that you understand the prep instructions given to you by your doctor, which will provide instructions on when you should drink your bowel prep. What are the common side effects of bowel prep?You should expect to have multiple loose bowel movements with minimal discomfort while doing the prep. However, some people will have nausea, vomiting, bloating (swelling in the abdomen) or abdominal pain. Serious side effects are uncommon. Your doctor will explain the possible side effects of the prep selected for you. IMPORTANT REMINDER: How clear does your stool need to be for a colonoscopy?The stool should be watery in consistency. It does not have to be clear in color (water) since digestive secretions will continue to 'tint' the stool.
How do you know when bowel prep is complete?As long as your poop is clear (it will be yellow, but see-through, not cloudy,) your colonoscopy prep is done. If it's not clear, you may have to take additional steps before you can have your colonoscopy.
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