Your doctor will recommend one of several types of laxatives to take the night before.

Colonoscopy fasting and bowel preparation or "bowel prep" are two related steps you must complete in getting ready to have a colonoscopy procedure. The goal of this article is to provide some basic information about both these important preparatory steps for your colon examination. Colonoscopy fasting and bowel prep are designed to make sure you've moved all stools and other intestinal debris out of your colon by the time you go into the operating room. By fasting a taking a prescribed laxative the day before, you give your doctor the best chance of getting a clear view of the walls of your colon. Most colonoscopy procedures last less than an hour. Some are done in half that time or even less. But colonoscopy preparation begins a full day before you actually have the colonoscopy done. In most cases, your doctor will ask you to start your colonoscopy fasting the day before the procedure. This varies - it may be slightly longer, depending on your doctor's wishes. During the fasting period, your food choices will be extremely limited. Your doctor will permit you to eat gelatin or Popsicles?during your fasting period, as long as they're not in flavors or colors of red or blue. These colors stain the walls of your colon, making diagnosis more difficult. The following are also allowed * diet soda. * fat-free bouillon or broth * including Life Savers or lemon drops * black coffee * plain tea with no sugar or cream * strained fruit juice apple, cranberry and white grape are recommended * plain water Definitely stay away from cream soups, milk, ice cream and similar dairy products. Usually, your doctor will allow you to have clear liquids until approximately four hours before your procedure. But be sure to ask him or her about it. Besides observing the limitations on food and drink, you'll be required to follow the other major part of your colonoscopy preparation, which is commonly known as "bowel prep." Your doctor will recommend one of several types of laxatives to take the night before. The following brand names are prescribed most often: Golytely? Fleets Phospho-Soda?and Movi-Prep?

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Generally, you start taking the laxative in a number of doses in late afternoon or early evening. Following directions carefully and also follow any additional recommendations from your doctor. Between doses, drink 3-6 glasses of clear liquid or water. Your doctor may suggest even more than that. As the laxatives do their job, you'll start spending a lot of time in the bathroom. You'll feel as if you have bad diarrhea.

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Some individuals who have had one or more colonoscopies say hardest part of the whole process is the colonoscopy fasting and bowel prep. You're sedated during the procedure, so it's over before you even know it. The most obvious benefit for having a colonoscopy done lies in making sure there are no signs of cancer in your colon. But your doctor will also look for any other signs of potential colon peoblems, like pre-cancerous polyps or diverticulitis during your examination. Advances in colonoscopy procedure technology, along with better public awareness through multiple media campaigns, are among the major reasons the number of colon cancer cases has been decreasing in the last few decades.