Colonoscopy Prep, Is It Worse Than The Procedure?
Colonoscopy preparation, How and Why.
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.
The anticipation of going to the doctor is often much worse than what the doctor will do. If the procedure is very bad you will be given a sedative or other pain killer to help you through it.
Due to the sedatives and pain killers you will need to bring some one to drive you home. Patients also relax more quickly when accompanied by a friend or relative.
The doctors that you may talk to are the Proctologist and the Gastroenterologist. A Gastroenterologist is a doctor of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract is the study of the path food takes when it enters and leaves the body. A proctologist is a doctor of the rectum or anus.
Staying well hydrated is one of the more difficult things to do before, during and after a colonospopy. Since the main purpose of the prep is to flush and clean the colon your system will need an unusual amount of water.
Your doctor will recommend as many as three days or one day of liquid diet. This means you only drink not eat during this time period.
In an attempt to improve the methods when preparing for a colonoscopy a pill has been developed. This pill allows for better cleaning of the colon and may allow the test be performed more quickly. Your doctor will tell you what is right for you.
I want a pill that works like a mars satellite mission. I take the pill and it discovers the secrets of my colon. Then sends data back to the doctors and I never leave my recliner. Maybe some day.