Are you ready for your Colonoscopy? If you’ve never had one before, rest assured, it’s really not that bad. It can be a little scary to think about especially with all the horror stories you may have heard about the “PREP”. But things have changed and the prep isn’t as bad as it used to be. And, there are several things you can do in advance to make the whole thing go more smoothly.
So what is Colonoscopy exactly? Simply defined it’s a procedure in which a flexible fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the anus in order to examine the colon.
A Colonoscopy is done to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine or also known as the colon. A flexible tube with a very tiny camera attached to its tip is inserted into the rectum going deeper inside the large intestine. This allows your doctor to see what’s inside the colon to determine its health.
Why do you need a Colonoscopy?
Because it’s important to know the health of your colon. People will often put off the procedure out of fear or just not wanting to do all the prep work. Most doctors suggest having a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at the age of 50 unless you have a family history of colon cancer or if anything abnormal is found in your screening. A colonoscopy is done to determine any of the following conditions:
- Detect Colon Cancer – people aged 50 and above are actually at risk of developing colon cancer. By undergoing a colonoscopy, doctors may find out if you have colon cancer or not. Doing this early may even prevent a person from developing colon cancer.
- Investigate Intestinal Symptoms – Colonoscopy is also done to help your doctor find out what is possibly causing abdominal pain, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or other problems that may develop in your large intestine.
- Look for more Polyps – Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy if ever you’ve had polyps before. If there are still additional polyps, undergoing colonoscopy helps doctors identify them and have them removed therefore reducing your risk of colon cancer.
Colonoscopy and its Benefits
I’ve been through it and it’s really not that bad. And, the benefits of early detection certainly outweigh the slight few hours of discomfort.
Detects Early Signs of Cancer
- Identifies the current status of your large intestine or colon
- Determines polyps existence
- Determines the causes of abdominal pain
- Determines possible causes of rectal bleeding
- Determines possible causes of unintentional weight loss
Natural Ways to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Now that I’ve convinced you of the benefits, let’s talk about how you can make the whole thing go a lot easier. What is the best way to prepare your body for a colonoscopy?
Don’t eat like it’s your last meal. On the day before your colonoscopy prep day, eat foods that are easily digested like soup and broth.
Prep day – The day before your procedure you will be given strict instructions not to eat solid foods. Consume broth, clear liquids, and clear protein drinks. Ensure makes a clear drink that is safe and has lots of vitamins.
Bowel Preparation – The evening before your procedure, you’ll need to drink liquids that will trigger bowel-clearing diarrhea. There are new options so discuss them with your doctor. You no longer need to drink gallons of prep drink. After drinking the prep drink, stay home. You’ll need to be close to the toilet.
Consider doing colon hydrotherapy – A couple of days before your procedure, consider getting colon hydrotherapy. This is a safe procedure where your colon is flushed out with water.
Rest – Before the day of your Colonoscopy, take a day off so that you can rest and do preparations without stressing about anything else. Nothing beats any other preparation than being mentally prepared. And plan to rest after your procedure. You will be tired.
It may seem daunting and scary at first but there’s no need to worry about it. It’s good to get tested and make sure all is well down there. Especially if you’re starting to feel something going on with your digestion. Just like annual mammograms or annual pap smears, they aren’t always pleasant but they keep you safe and healthy. The old saying about an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure is certainly true in this case.
I’ve had patients who put off a colonoscopy or other procedure only to find out they have cancer. Schedule a checkup, and ask your doctor about a colonoscopy or any other procedures that are suggested for your age and possible symptoms. Stay safe and healthy.
