
It is important to properly prepare for a colonoscopy so that your gastroenterologist gets a good look inside your colon to accurately screen for colorectal cancer. In some cases, patients have the choice to drink the prep over two days and in smaller doses, making it much more palatable.Īccording to SamHealth, an online health service, there are even cherry-flavored prep drinks that taste better than earlier versions of bowel prep solutions. You also do not have to drink the prep all in one sitting. Patients have a variety of prep solutions to choose from. Thankfully, over the years, many different prep solutions have been created. The thought of drinking a gallon of laxative-fluids may not sound appealing or manageable. What Makes Colonoscopy Prep Drinks More Palatable? This type of dosing is recommended in guidelines for colonoscopy bowel prep because it tends to be more effective, and it supplies a better patient experience than a single dose.ĭownload this chart 7. A split prep cleansing agent is when you take half the prep the day before your colonoscopy, and the other half on the day of prep. If your doctor doesn’t offer a split prep, ask about it. Similar to how certain dyes can affect your colonoscopy, traces of milk can hide a possible polyp in the walls of the colon. Why Can’t I Have Milk Before a Colonoscopy?Īnything that you drink other than clear liquids can end up inside of the colon. To ensure you get accurate results, physicians ask that you avoid drinks with certain coloring during your colonoscopy prep. During your colonoscopy, these stains can interfere with the test and look like blood or other abnormalities. Why Can’t The Liquids I Drink Be Red, Purple, or Blue?ĭrinks that contain red, purple, or blue coloring can stain the walls of your colon. Avoid all alcoholic beverages regardless if they are clear or not. You can avoid dehydration by drinking Gatorade Ⓡ (not red, purple, or blue), and other drinks with plenty of electrolytes.Īlcohol may interact with the sedatives used during the procedure. The main reason to stay away from alcohol is because it is dehydrating, and you will already be losing a lot of fluids due to the colonoscopy prep. Can I Drink Alcohol Before a Colonoscopy?Īccording to UCLA Health, there are many reasons why you cannot drink alcohol before a colonoscopy. Examples include:Ī good rule of thumb is: If you cannot see through it, if it has pulp, or contains anything that you need to chew in order to swallow, then do not drink it.

You also should avoid fruits and vegetables with seeds or indigestible fiber since they are difficult to digest and may interfere with your doctor's ability to examine your colon. In order to have a successful colonoscopy, it is recommended to avoid smoothies for three days before your colonoscopy. Can I Have a Smoothie Before a Colonoscopy? The bad news is, 24 hours before your procedure, you have to stick to clear liquids, and hot chocolate is not considered a clear liquid. This means that you can enjoy multiple forms of chocolate (solid milk chocolate or hot cocoa) however, you want to steer clear of any chocolate with nuts. Leading up to your colonoscopy, yes, you can have chocolate! It is recommended that you follow a low-fiber diet (simply put, stay away from foods that can’t be digested as easily, such as fiber, seeds, or nuts, for example) for two to three days before your colonoscopy. Can I Have Chocolate Before a Colonoscopy? So, let's answer some common prep questions to help ease your mind. When it comes to what you can or cannot eat and drink, a lot of people get overwhelmed. There are many types of bowel prep – with varying amounts of liquid, different flavors, and different costs. Douglas Rex from the Indiana University School of Medicine, about 40% of people who should have a colonoscopy, don’t: because of the prep! An incomplete bowel prep could mean missed adenomas (polyps) during a colonoscopy, while a successful prep allows for better visibility during the colonoscopy – which means doctors have a higher chance of seeing polyps, tumors, and inflammation in your colon. While it’s nobody's favorite step, prep is necessary to clear the rectum and colon before the procedure. It’s one of the most laughed about, complained about, and stressed about steps of the colonoscopy process: prep night.


Why Can’t I Have Milk Before a Colonoscopy?.Why Can’t The Liquids I Drink Be Red, Purple, or Blue?.

Can I Drink Alcohol Before a Colonoscopy?.Can I Have a Smoothie Before a Colonoscopy?.Can I Have Chocolate Before a Colonoscopy?.Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Copy this URL Share via Email Table of Contents:
