Making Colonoscopy Prep More Pleasant
Posted on: 8 December 2021
Most people who have had a colonoscopy will tell you that the worst part of the test was not even the test itself. They were under anesthesia for that part, after all. The worst part, they often say, was the prep.
Indeed, preparing for a colonoscopy can be a bit uncomfortable and also yucky. It involves drinking a laxative solution that clears out your system so that the next day, your doctor is able to get clean, clear images of your colon. There's really no way to get around this colonoscopy prep, but there are a few ways you can make it more pleasant.
Refrigerate your laxative drink.
The laxative beverage you have to drink before your colonoscopy is likely to taste a bit chalky and bitter. However, it won't taste nearly as bad if it is cold when you drink it. So, make sure you prepare it well in advance of when you need to drink it so that it can spend at least two hours in the refrigerator, chilling. Also, once it is cold, sip it through a straw. This minimizes contact with your tongue, which makes the flavor more tolerable.
Wear loose pants.
You're going to have to use the bathroom often, and quickly. You're not going to want to unbutton your pants and roll them down again and again. And, as bad as it may sound, there's a chance you may not always get them down in time. Luckily, you can minimize the risk of an "accident" by wearing loose pants, such as sweatpants. Loose pants will also be more comfortable around your mid-section, considering you might have a little cramping as your bowels empty themselves.
Eat lots of fiber before you begin the laxative beverage.
A few days before you start taking your prep beverage, try to increase your fiber intake. Add a few extra servings of fruit or veggies to your diet. This will help clear out your digestive tract a little bit before you start taking the laxative drink, so there won't be quite as much for the laxative to clear out.
Apply moisturizer in your nether regions.
Your anal area might become a little sore during your prep. The best way to ease this discomfort is to regularly apply moisturizer to the area. Do so every time you defecate. A moisturizer with a coconut oil base is a good choice since coconut oil has good staying power.
With the tips above, colonoscopy prep does not have to be terrible. It will be over before you know it, and you can head into your colon cancer screening appointment with confidence.
For more information on colon cancer screening, contact a company like Gastro Health.
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