A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that checks for colon or rectal cancer. During a colonoscopy, your doctor will examine your colon with a small camera attached to a tube that he will insert into your rectum. It's important that your colon is completely cleaned of all stool before the exam, so you will need to follow a cleansing procedure the day before your colonoscopy.
Step 1
Stop consuming anything that is red, or anything that contains iron, including iron supplements. These can cause confusion by changing the color of your colon's lining. If the examiner sees anything red in your colon, he may assume that it is blood, which may require unnecessary further testing if it is simply a red food or liquid.
Step 2
Use the preparation formula that your doctor prescribes or recommends. This may be a series of laxatives or enemas. Stay within close range of a bathroom during this part of the cleansing procedure.
Step 3
Drink only clear liquids for 24 hours before your colonoscopy. Examples are clear broth, tea and water. You can drink black coffee, but do not add milk. You may eat soft, translucent foods, such as Jello gelatin, but nothing solid or opaque.
Step 4
Walk around while waiting for the laxative to take effect. This will help your colon to expel all of your stool, which will make your colonoscopy easier to perform and easier to read.
Step 5
Fast from all foods and liquids for 6 hours before your colonoscopy. If you take medications, ask your doctor if you should abstain from taking them during this time period.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your doctor if you take medications for diabetes, or if you take any pain medication or blood thinners. In some cases, you may need additional preparations before your colonoscopy. Talk to your doctor if you have heart or kidney disease. You may need a different laxative regimen.
Things You'll Need
- Laxatives
- Enemas
- Clear liquids
