Are you prepared for the colonoscopy prep procedures?
Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy for any of the following reasons, changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, persistent abdominal pain, or if you are over 50.
Everyone over the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy every 10 years unless health history indicates a risk for cancer in which case more frequent tests may be required. Only your doctor can determine how often to have the test.
For most procedures you will be given a sedative or pain killers. I want a pain killer for the anticipation of pain. Something to keep me from worrying about the procedure.
Asking a friend or relative to come with you is a smart thing to do and it required. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure due to the sedatives you will receive.
Two names that you may hear are Proctologist and Gastroenterologist. A Proctologist is the doctor that deals with disorders of the rectum or anus. A Gastroenterologist is doctor that deals with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
One of the more difficult recommendations to follow is drinking enough water before, during and after the procedure. A large amount of water is needed by the body to clean the colon.
The colonoscopy prep included being on a liquid diet in the days before the colonoscopy. You may be able to drink plain coffee, plain tea, fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice or diet soda. No sugar or fat or food coloring is allowed.
One option available to some patients is a new pill. This pill helps prepare for the colonoscopy by cleaning the colon and reducing the days needed for colonoscopy prep. Only your doctor can determine if this method is right for you.
Let’s hope that we can develop a pill that we can take that’s like a Russian space station. Take the pill and it setup a command post and relays data about our colon the hospital. I don’t have to leave my house. I can only hope.
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