At some point in their lives, most people will need to have a colonoscopy. This is especially true for men over the age of 40, who should be having regular colonoscopies as a means of detecting signs of colon and rectal cancer early on or diagnosing conditions such as ulcerative colitis Roanoke. Still, for those preparing for their first colonoscopy, this can be a nerve-racking time. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be followed to ensure that the procedure goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Watch the Diet In the 24 hours prior to the colonoscopy, most doctors will require their patients to refrain from eating solid foods. This will help to ensure that the colon is completely (or at least mostly) clear before the procedure is done. Specifically, most doctors will give their patients a specific list of things they can and cannot have in the 24 hours before the colonoscopy. Generally, the diet is limited to water, tea, broth, coffee, and carbonated beverages.
Adjust Medications Before a colonoscopy, it's also important to have a conversation with one's doctor about any medications that may need to be adjusted in the days leading up to the colonoscopy itself. This is especially important among those who have high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, or are taking any medications that contain high levels of iron. Furthermore, those who take blood thinners (such as aspirin) on a regular basis should speak with their doctors about their dosage and find out if they should stop taking these or reduce their intake in the days or weeks leading up to the colonoscopy.
Try a Laxative Finally, some doctors will recommend that their patients take a laxative before the colonoscopy itself. Generally, if this is the case, it's something that the doctor will bring up at least a week prior to the procedure. If instructed to take a laxative, find out whether the doctor requests one being taken the night before the procedure or both the night before and the morning of. There is an important distinction between each. Whether being checked for ulcerative colitis roanoke doctor or simply going for a routine colonoscopy after the age of 40, taking the proper steps to prepare can make the entire process go much more smoothly, so be sure to keep these steps in mind.
