Diseases of the colon can be easily diagnosed using a procedure such as colonoscopy. The technique is quite informative. However, the manipulation itself requires careful preparation. This is the only way to get the most reliable result. Preparation for a colonoscopy, diet, possible complications during the process of manipulation - all this should be known in advance.
Description of procedure
If you suspect a disease of the colon and small intestine, an accurate diagnosis cannot be made through laboratory tests alone. In medical institutions, instrumental techniques have long been used. One of them is colonoscopy. The essence of the procedure is the introduction of a special instrument with a camera into the patient's anus. The image is displayed on the monitor screen. Thus, the doctor can assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa, identify pathological formations or erosion.
The length of the device can reach one and a half meters. Thanks to this, it is possible to inspect a vast area without letting go of anything. For the procedure to go right, you need to properly prepare for colonoscopy of the intestine. Diet must be followed.
Colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure. However, during its implementation, with the help of additional tools, polyps or other neoplasms can also be removed. Such manipulations also allow you to take samples of intestinal tissue for biopsy (if there is a suspicion of an oncological process).
When is the procedure necessary?
When is preparation for colonoscopy performed? A non-slag diet can be prescribed for a number of diseases. Moreover, in some cases, an emergency colonoscopy can be performed, then there is no time for preparation. Manipulations in a planned mode are prescribed for chronic abdominal pain of unknown origin. A colonoscopy is mandatory for irritable bowel syndrome. This is a functional disorder that develops against the background of psychogenic factors. Violation of intestinal motility is not associated with diseases of other organs and systems.
If there is an impurity of blood in the feces, preparation for colonoscopy is also carried out. Diet in this case is required. Diagnostic manipulations help determine the source of bleeding. Colonoscopy can be prescribed for incomprehensible weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, erosive colitis.
With profuse intestinal bleeding, an emergency colonoscopy is performed. Diagnostic measures without prior preparation can also be carried out with intestinal obstruction that threatens the patient's life.
Contraindications
The procedure is far from safe for all patients. Preparation for a colonoscopy may be contraindicated. Diet is not prescribed for severe adhesive disease. In this case, the instrument simply cannot fully pass through the intestines. In this regard, there is no need to change the diet before diagnosing. The specialist chooses a different research methodology.
If peritonitis or other acute inflammatory processes develop in the large intestine, a colonoscopy is not prescribed. Diagnostic manipulations can harm the patient, equipment will contribute to the spread of infection. The procedure is also contraindicated for cracks in the anus, respiratory failure.
One week before the procedure
Most often, the procedure is still carried out as planned. Preparations for colonoscopy should also begin in advance. A doctor will prescribe a diet. For a week you need to come to the pharmacy and purchase the necessary drugs on the list. Additionally, you will need alcohol, cotton wool, wet wipes. It is recommended to stock up with a moisturizing skin cream with an anti-inflammatory effect. You will also need medications from the category of laxatives. All preparations should be prescribed by a specialist who will carry out the procedure. The Moviprep tool is widely used (more will be described below).
A change in eating habits usually leads to diarrhea. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the right toilet paper. Preference should be given to soft options, and even better - temporarily replace plain paper with wet wipes.
Within a week, you need to start lubricating the anus with a moisturizing anti-inflammatory cream. Thanks to this, the skin will be well prepared, the risk of irritation during the procedure will be minimized.
Diet
A diet should be properly prepared in preparation for a colonoscopy. The menu should include foods that are easily digested and well-derived naturally. Particular attention should be paid to patients who regularly suffer from constipation. Preference should be given to cereals, vegetables and fruits, lean meats.
For a few days, what should be the diet in preparation for colonoscopy of the intestine? The menu two days before the study should include soft foods, such as scrambled eggs, ripe fruit without skin. Emphasis can be placed on dairy products, vegetable soups, low-fat varieties of fish and meat, semolina, green tea, biscuit cookies, jelly and stewed fruit.
The most important element in preparing for bowel colonoscopy is diet. What not to eat? The following products are strictly prohibited: chocolate, carbonated drinks, legumes, dried fruits, rye bread, fresh milk, alcohol.
One day before the procedure
24 hours before colonoscopy, you must switch exclusively to liquid nutrition. It is worth considering that bowel cleansing takes time. However, the diet does not always give good results in preparation for a colonoscopy of the intestine. "Moviprep" is a drug that will help get rid of food debris, if it was not possible to do this using the selected menu. This is a powder for the preparation of a suspension, with which it is possible to quickly cleanse the intestines. However, you can not use it yourself in any case. Means "Moviprep" has a number of contraindications. This is phenylketonuria, bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, hypersensitivity to the components.
The contents of one sachet is diluted with a liter of water. The resulting solution should be drunk gradually in the morning on the day of the procedure. The entire solution should be consumed for two hours. Some time after the first dose, the patient begins bowel cleansing (diarrhea).
It is very important that the patient receive a sufficient amount of fluid at this time. Together with feces a lot of water comes out. Every hour during wakefulness it is recommended to drink 150 ml of pure water. You can include weak teas or compotes in the menu. Coffee should be temporarily discarded.
The night before the procedure
The last night before the procedure is a serious test. Against the background of changing the menu, as well as the use of a laxative, the intestine begins to push waste at an accelerated pace. You need to be prepared for the fact that you can’t sleep normally on the last night before a colonoscopy. In addition, intestinal microflora may slightly change during this period. As a result, such unpleasant symptoms as abdominal pain, nausea, discomfort in the epigastric region will appear.
You can more conveniently prepare for the procedure in a medical institution. The doctor may suggest a cleansing enema in the evening before the procedure and in the morning immediately before the manipulation. In this case, the night will pass quietly, you will be able to fully relax.
How does the procedure go?
The study is carried out in a sterile room. A robe is put on the patient and nothing more. The introduction of a colonoscope into the rectum can be quite painful, therefore, most often they use general anesthesia by intravenous injection. Local anesthesia is less commonly used. In this case, the patient is additionally given a sedative to calm down.
The patient lies on one side on a special table, knees as much as possible pulls to the chest. A colonoscope is inserted through the anus into the intestine, and the image is displayed on the monitor screen. The colonoscope must go through all the bowel bends, so the tube of the device has an impressive length. Thanks to this, a specialist can carefully examine each fold of the mucosa. The equipment also has an element with which air is drawn into the lumen of the colon. This makes it possible to better examine the organ. The whole procedure lasts from 30 minutes to an hour.
If the result of the colonoscopy is negative, this means that the specialist did not reveal any deviations in the lumen of the colon. If it was possible to find a pathological formation, the examination is delayed, additional procedures are prescribed.
After the procedure
With colonoscopy, rather unpleasant manipulations are performed. After the examination, you need some more time so that a person can recover. With general anesthesia, the patient regains consciousness after 40-60 minutes. If local anesthesia was used, health will improve much earlier. Almost immediately, the patient can go home accompanied by loved ones. Within an hour after all the manipulations can not eat food. Over the next day, you need to choose light foods that are easily digested (liquid cottage cheese, yogurt, cereals on the water).
If traces of blood are observed during bowel movements, you should not panic. This is a consequence of the procedure.
Summarize
If the diet does not help in preparing for a colonoscopy, Moviprep is an excellent choice. However, both the choice of drugs and the preparation of the menu should be discussed with the doctor. In this case, an unpleasant procedure will take place with minimal risk of complications.