Sunday, October 12, 2008

How To Prepare For the Colonoscopy Prep.

By Krista Clarxzon

Colonoscopy, We may not know exactly what it is but we know we don't want one!

Many of the reasons your doctor will recommend a colonoscopy is because of persistent abdominal pain, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits or anyone over the age of 50.

50 is the age when the risk for colon problems increases. Due to this it is recommended to have a colonoscopy every 10 years after the age of 50. However, if your family has a history of cancer you may need to have more frequent exams before the age of 50.

For most procedures you will be given a sedative or pain killers. I want a pain killer for the anticipation of pain. Something to keep me from worrying about the procedure.

Asking a friend or relative to come with you is a smart thing to do and it required. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure due to the sedatives you will receive.

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.

One of the more difficult recommendations to follow is drinking enough water before, during and after the procedure. A large amount of water is needed by the body to clean the colon.

The colonoscopy prep included being on a liquid diet in the days before the colonoscopy. You may be able to drink plain coffee, plain tea, fat-free bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice or diet soda. No sugar or fat or food coloring is allowed.

One option available to some patients is a new pill. This pill helps prepare for the colonoscopy by cleaning the colon and reducing the days needed for colonoscopy prep. Only your doctor can determine if this method is right for you.

Let's hope that we can develop a pill that we can take that's like a Russian space station. Take the pill and it setup a command post and relays data about our colon the hospital. I don't have to leave my house. I can only hope.

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