Colon cancer develops in the colon and rectum and can affect both men and women. One of the best ways to find this cancer early is to schedule regular colonoscopies. These procedures may seem intimidating at first, but they are routine and can be very important.
Here are a few tips for getting ready for a colon cancer screening.
Stock Up on Liquid Drinks and Foods
The day before your colonoscopy, you may have to drastically change your diet. Your colon must be clear, so you must stay away from foods that take longer to digest, such as nuts and raw vegetables. Shop for various liquids, such as broth, gelatin, tea, and juice. Do not add cream or milk to your coffee or tea.
Tell Your Doctor About the Medications and Supplements You Take
Before your colonoscopy, you will want to inform your doctor of every medication and supplement you currently take. He or she may have you stop taking certain things—such as stool formers—several days before your appointment.
Take Laxatives
To clear your digestive tract for the colon cancer screening, you're required to take strong laxatives the day before. Unfortunately, the solution does not taste very good. If you have difficulty getting the solution down, you could try mixing it with a sports drink, sipping it through a straw, or sucking on a lemon slice afterward.
Clear Your Day
The laxatives will cause you to have frequent bouts of diarrhea for the day. As such, you will want to clear your schedule as much as you can. After all, you can't concentrate on a work project or taking care of your kids if you will be in the bathroom frequently throughout the day.
Drink Plenty of Water
Taking laxatives and going to the bathroom all day can dehydrate your body. Being too hydrated can cause dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, fatigue, and other unpleasant symptoms. That is why it is more important than ever to drink at least eight glasses of water during your prep.
Call Your Doctor About Any Concerns
If you have any concerns during your prep, do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor. Whether you are anxious about the procedure or experiencing nausea, your doctor can help.
If you follow these helpful tips, you can more successfully prepare for your colon cancer screening. If you have other questions, give your physician a call as soon as possible.
You likely found this blog because you are dedicated to improving your health. You may simply not know what a healthy lifestyle consists of or you may understand what good health habits are, but lack the motivation to put this knowledge into action.
No matter what gets in the way of achieving good health, we plan to help you every step of the way. Whether you need to learn what a healthy meal consists of, how often you should exercise to maintain good cardiovascular health, or how to improve your motivation to work out, we hope you can find the answers to your questions on this blog or the healthcare resources we share here. While we are not health experts, we strive to lead healthy lifestyles, just like you.