Diet Before Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation

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You've done it, you've made up your mind to get a colonoscopy and want to know about the diet before colonoscopy bowel preparation. Diet before a colonoscopy plays an important role to prepare your bowel for the procedure.

Why Have a Colonoscopy

You probably have a vague idea of how a colonoscopy is performed; you've seen bits on television and have heard friends talking. While it is an invasive procedure, it's not something that needs to scare you; instead the thought of not having one is scarier if you leave colon cancer undetected. While a colonoscopy has become routine for many people, it should be scheduled immediately if you suffer symptoms such as:

Bleeding from the rectum
Regular bouts of abdominal pain
Severe weight loss for no apparent reason
Significant change in bowel movements

How a Colonoscopy Is Performed

The procedure itself is performed by inserting a long, flexible tube known as colonoscope through the anus. This scope allows the doctor to see inside of the colon. Through this process, polyps and early signs of cancer can be visually identified. In this case, many times, the suspicious tissue is removed during the procedure.

In order to prepare your bowels for a colonoscopy you'll be give a special diet to help empty your intestines, and then when you arrive for your appointment you'll be given laxatives and a special solution to drink to help void your bowels completely.

Diet Before Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation

To have your colon ready for the procedure, your doctor will provide you with information regarding a diet before colonoscopy bowel preparation. It will require you to change your eating about four days before the procedure is to be performed. The diet reduces or totally eliminates fiber and will include food like:

Boiled chicken (no skin)
Cheese
Eggs
Skinless potatoes
Steamed white fish
White bread

Some diets used to prepare patients for a colonoscopy call for the elimination of all solid food two days prior to the colonoscopy. This is a precautionary measure taken to make sure your bowels are empty. Another thing to consider when preparing for a colonoscopy is what supplements you take. If you take iron supplements, these must also be discontinued, even if it is an ingredient in your multi-vitamin.

Foods to Avoid

The following list of foods should not be eaten in the days leading up to your colonoscopy because they are high in fiber:

Fruits
Nuts
Red meat
Rice
Vegetables

Liquids to Be Avoided

In preparation for a colonoscopy, your diet should include plenty of liquids. However, there a some that should be avoided:

Milk
Milk-based drinks
Foods and beverages colored red or purple. Some doctors ask you to avoid orange colored dyes as well.

What to Eat the Day Before Your Colonoscopy

While the change you make to your diet prior to a colonoscopy starts three or four days prior the procedure, on the day before not only will you change what you eat, but how much. In fact, the only meal you should eat the day before your colonoscopy will be breakfast; and it should be light such as one soft boiled egg on one slice of white bread toast. Eating extremely light helps to prepare your body for the effect of the laxative you'll be given to totally clear your bowels before the procedure. With that said, it is also important that you include plenty of fluids in your diet the day before you go in for your colonoscopy, because the laxatives can promote dehydration. To avoid this problem make it a point to drink your fluids. It's best to drink something every hour if possible. The liquids you can drink the day before include:

Coffee with nothing added
Fat-free broth
Strained fruit juices
Sports drinks such as Gatorade
Tea with nothing added
Water

The Day of the Procedure

No food should be eaten the day of the procedure, and nothing at all should be taken between two or three hours before your colonoscopy.

Importance of a Clean Colon

The whole reason a diet such as this is followed preceding a colonoscopy is because the procedure cannot be done unless your bowels are empty. If you follow the diet instructions your doctor gives you, you'll make his job easier as the colonoscope can freely move through a clean colon while providing a clear picture.

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