What to eat after colonoscopy remains vital and a subject for discusssion because of the sensitive nature of this kind of operation. A colonoscopy is an exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Colonoscopy enables visual inspection of the entire large bowel. It is a visual procedure. Doctors perform it to examine for abnormalities and disease. Hence what to eat after colonoscopy becomes important because colonoscopy can hurt.
WHY IS IT DONE ?
Doctors recommend colonoscopy for some reasons:
(1) To screen for cancer of the colon : People who are 50 years and older have the chances of having a colon cancer. If you have no other factors that can cause cancer, your doctor can recommend that you undergo colonoscopy every 10 years to screen for cancer.
(2) To look for more polyps : Your doctor can recommend colonoscopy if you had polyps before. This is done to look for more or other polyps in your colon as they might cause cancer of the colon.
(3)To know the cause of intestinal signs : When you have issues like abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding or other problems in your intestines, a colonoscopy is done to examine your colon, rectum and intestines to know the cause of the problems.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE
Before the colonoscopy is done, you will be asked to clean and empty your colons. This is important as external substance or residues might interfere or block the view.You can take certain recommended medications or eat certain foods a day to the procedure. You are also sedated few minutes before the examination to minimize pain and make you feel relaxed throughout the procedure.
During the colonoscopy, the colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and it advances to other parts of your intestines. A colonoscope is an instrument, long, flexible and about 1/ 2 inch in diameter. It is tabular and transmits images of the lining of the colon for the doctor to examine.
It also allows the doctor to pump air into your colon to have better view of the colon. The doctor can move the scope around to examine other parts and curves of the colon as it can bend.
You may feel the urge to have a bowel movement or have abdominal pains when the scope is moved or air is pumped into your colon. The doctor can also insert instruments to remove polyps or to take samples of your tissues for further examination.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE
Colonoscopy takes 30 to 45 minutes. After the examination, you might still feel weak because of the sedative given to you. This is why it is advised to have someone with you to help take you home.
You can notice drops of blood the first time you pass stool after the examination. This is harmless but if it continues, you should see your doctor. You can also feel fever and abdominal pain although these are rare.
Due to the air pumped into your colon during the procedure, you may pass gas or feel bloated for some hours. This is normal as your body is trying to remove the excess air.
WHAT TO EAT AFTER COLONOSCOPY
What to eat after the procedure is very important as your body went through many processes to prepare you for the colonoscopy, so you need to put back fluids and nutrients.
You may be asked by your doctor to eat in moderation, or not to eat at all, few hours after the procedure. For the rest of the day or some days after, it is advised that you drink lots of water or light food as solid foods might irritate your colon.
FOODS YOU CAN EAT AFTER COLONOSCOPY
You should drink lots of water to avoid being dehydrated. Limit your intake of diary foods and low-fiber foods which your body can easily digest. What to eat after colonoscopy should be taken very serious. Foods and drinks you can eat are:
• Water, lots of it
• Fruit juice
• Vegetable juice
• Herbal tea
• Light soup
• Scrambled eggs
• Cooked vegetables
• Fruits
• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• White bread
• Puddings
• Soft cooked fish
• Nut butter
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT EAT AFTER COLONOSCOPY
Even if the procedure is for 30 to 45 minutes, your body still needs time to recuperate. To fasten up the healing process. Avoid eating spicy foods so that they do not irritate your bowels. Also, greasy foods might make you feel nauseous.
Heavy foods should be avoided as they might take time to digest. Since air was pumped into your colon during the colonoscopy, you may remove gas more than you normally do. Drinking carbonated drinks should not be taken into your body system as they would add more gas to it. If polyps are removed from your body, it will be recommended that you do not eat nuts, seeds, and popcorn for some weeks.
You can avoid foods like :
(1) Alcoholic drinks.
(2) Hard or tough meat.
(3) Raw vegetables.
(4) Corn.
(5) Brown rice.
(6)Fruits with skin.
(7) Fried foods.
(8)Spices as pepper, ginger, garlic.
(9) Coconut.
(10) Whole grain bread.
(11) Highly seasoned foods.
CONCLUSION
Taking care of your colon includes eating healthy foods, keeping your body healthy and avoid eating unhealthy foods. Also, screen your colon at least once in 5 years.Less than 5 percent of colon are based on hereditary. This means that having healthy lifestyle is important.
Exercising and keeping your body fit is also a good way to keep your colon healthy. Exercise helps reduce weight as obesity, especially abdominal obesity is a risk factor for colon cancer. Hence in this article we have enumerated what to eat after colonoscopy.