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Colonoscopy is not a pleasant examination. However, it is a very effective diagnostic tool that allows you to determine the condition of the large intestine and, for example, remove small polyps. It is undoubtedly a study that often saves patients’ lives. It is therefore necessary to properly prepare for it and clean the intestine of food residues.
The pre-colonoscopy diet is designed to prepare our intestines. Before we go to the examination, we need to clean the intestines so that the doctor can easily assess their condition. Check what diet should be used before the colonoscopy.
Diet before colonoscopy – easily digestible diet
It is worth introducing an easily digestible diet 7 days before the colonoscopy. It does not have to be very restrictive yet, but it is worth changing the diet. One week before the examination, any iron-containing preparations should also be discontinued. The doctor should also be informed about taking anticoagulant medications.
Diet before colonoscopy – avoiding pips
Three days before the colonoscopy, all products containing seeds or grains should disappear from our diet. This is because they can stick to the walls of the intestine and prevent an accurate picture from being obtained during a colonoscopy.
If we want to thoroughly examine the intestines during colonoscopy, it is not worth eating grapes, strawberries, watermelons, raspberries, kiwi, cookies and bread with poppy seeds, bread with grains, blueberries, linseed or tomatoes 3 days before the examination.
This means that all whole grains, i.e. those containing large amounts of fiber, must disappear from our diet for this time.
Diet before colonoscopy – semi-liquid diet
In the last two days, a semi-liquid diet should be introduced. Before the colonoscopy, meats and fatty meats, dark breads, fruit purees and vegetable salads must disappear from our diet.
Before the colonoscopy, you must also not drink carbonated drinks and milk. The semi-liquid diet before colonoscopy allows you to eat jelly, rice, pasta, fish, gruel, cooked lean meat and white bread. However, you can drink large amounts of tea, coffee, water, non-carbonated drinks, etc.
Diet before colonoscopy – liquid diet
The diet for the day before the colonoscopy should be based only on fluids. For example, for breakfast you can eat jelly and drink something warm, and dinner should be just pure broth.
Unfortunately, this is the last meal before the colonoscopy. Later, you can only drink still water or tea. If we are very hungry, you can help yourself with candy or a little honey.
The day before the colonoscopy, you should take the medications you take every day as normal, e.g. for heart, epilepsy or blood pressure lowering.
Not all diets are healthy and safe for our body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any diet, even if you do not have any health concerns.
When choosing a diet, never follow the current fashion. Remember that some diets, incl. low in particular nutrients or strongly limiting calories, and mono-diets can be debilitating for the body, carry a risk of eating disorders, and can also increase appetite, contributing to a quick return to the former weight.
Diet before colonoscopy – the day of the examination
On the day of the colonoscopy, you can not drink for four hours before the examination. Only sucking on hard candy is allowed.
You should go to a colonoscopy with an accompanying person. Driving the car after the test is also not recommended.
It is not necessary to gradually return to your normal diet. You can eat your normal meal on the same day. However, you may experience bloating or bowel cramps after the colonoscopy because there is still air in your gut that was introduced during the examination.
Before the examination, the doctor prescribes a drug that cleans the intestines of residual feces – usually large doses of macrogols.
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