If you are dreading the preparation for your upcoming colonoscopy, then these tips will help make the process go more smoothly.
Tip: Cool and Mix the Prep Liquid to Make it Go Down Easier
The one thing most people dread most about their first colonoscopy is the preparation liquid everyone has to drink. You can make the prep liquid a whole lot more tolerable by cooling it down to nearly freezing, adding some Crystal Light powder to it, and drinking it through a straw. The prep liquid is much better tasting if it is mixed with something and drank when it is very cold. And, drinking it through a straw will allow you to bypass most of your taste buds and not have to taste it quite as much.
Tip: Reduce the Amount of Preparation Liquid You Must Drink
Even though you can technically eat food up until the last day before your test, the preparation will be a lot easier if you start limiting your diet a few days earlier. Starting a couple of days before your colonoscopy, switch to a diet of low-fiber foods and clear liquids. The less fiber-filled foods you eat in the days leading up to your test, then the less prep you will need to drink, and you will appreciate this when the time comes.
Some foods you can eat during these days include:
- Jello
- beef and chicken broth
- yogurt
- ice cream
You can also eat most dairy products and fruit juices that do not contain pulp.
Tip: Use Baby Wipes and Liberal Amounts of Hemorrhoid Cream if Necessary
Since the preparation for your colonoscopy requires you to drink a lot of laxatives that are going to cause you to use the bathroom very frequently, you may discover your rectal area becomes irritated and sore. To prevent this discomfort, you should use baby wipes when wiping. The added moisture will keep your sensitive tissues from drying out and becoming inflamed.
Finally, if you have issues with hemorrhoids, then starting the first time you take your prep liquid, slather your rectal area well with some hemorrhoid cream. The cream will protect the tissues and shield them when you have a bowel movement. By doing this and using unscented baby wipes, you can prevent your rectum from becoming inflamed and sore before your colonoscopy test.
Contact a medical office like Lincoln Surgical Group PC for more information and assistance.
