Prep Tips for Colon Cancer Screening – Colonoscopy

It's certainly not like you want to mark your 45th birthday with a colonoscopy, but it's the perfect way to make sure you're alive for your 60th birthday and the decades ahead.

It's not the actual process for most individuals that causes them to hesitate. Before the test, it's the day of food restrictions and diarrhea that sends individuals running in the other direction.

But when you are diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer, one day of colonoscopy prep is nothing compared to the weeks and months of chemotherapy or radiation. The reality is, by routine colonoscopies, colon cancer is largely preventable, so don't let the fear of colonoscopy planning get in the way of taking care of your health.

What are colonoscopies?

A colonoscopy is a screening procedure that physicians use to search for abnormal or irregular growths in the rectum or colon, typically beginning at the age of 45. It is actually the safest way to stop colon cancer and rectal cancer, or to detect any disease early when it is curable.

A doctor uses a thin, illuminated tube attached to a small video camera to see the inside of your rectum and colon during a colonoscopy. They will remove it then and there if a polyp or strange growth is detected, preventing the chances that it will turn into cancer.

Why is it essential for colonoscopy prep?

It is necessary to plan thoroughly for your colonoscopy, so that your doctor can get a clear view of your colon. If the colon is not completely cleaned of waste, polyps or other early symptoms of colon cancer are more difficult to detect. If your doctor is unable to see your whole colon, they will ask you to come back for a repeat procedure in one year.

How can I make planning for a colonoscopy easier?

It may be inconvenient and unpleasant to plan for a colonoscopy, but it is a lot easier than it was ten years ago. Although your preparation can differ slightly based on the advice of your doctor, here are five ways to make colonoscopy preparation easier.

When you schedule your colonoscopy, be thoughtful.

Since colonoscopy preparation includes a liquid diet the day before the operation, when you are expected to limit food, you probably don't want to be tempted by a large birthday meal. For a special event or holiday, stop arranging your colonoscopy so that you are more likely to adhere to the dietary recommendations.

The time of day can also help make planning easier. Because on the day of your operation you will not consume solid food, it might feel good scheduling your colonoscopy for the morning so that you do not have to wait to eat until the afternoon or evening.

On the liquid diet, find innovative ways to top up.

If you're hungry, you're more likely to slip up on your prep diet, so make sure you eat a large amount of calories from your liquid choices. You cannot eat any solid food, but you can consume an infinite quantity of clear liquids, including:

• Water

• Black coffee or tea

• Bouillon/broths

• Clear soda (e.g., sprite or ginger ale)

• Clear juice (e.g., apple or white grape),

• Lemonade pulp-free

Jell-O, popsicles, and sports drinks may also be available, but stay clear of those colors, such as red, purple, or blue.

Chill and add spice to the beverage with medicine.

Starting at 4 p.m., you will need to drink laxative medicine for about four hours. The day before your colonoscopy. Your doctor will advise you to drink the whole solution bottle to ensure that when you go in for your screening, your colon is as clean as possible. Visually, it can seem daunting, but there are a few things you can do to make drinking easier, such as:

• Using a straw

• Chilling the refrigerator drink

• Crystal Light blend in (avoiding flavors that are red or purple)

• Drink from a cup instead of directly from the jug

• Get the toilet as cozy as possible

You'll spend a lot of quality time in the bathroom once planning starts. To pass the time as easily as possible, try the following tips:

• Quality stock, soft toilet paper and wet wipes

• Wear loose, comfortable apparel

• Carry entertainment mediums

See us at Screen the City for colonoscopy. Do not let the disease climb on you, let it healed at the very initial stage.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.