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Bowel Prep: What You Need To Know

By , About.com Guide

Updated February 18, 2011

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Helpful Hints and Tips For Bowel Prep
  • If you are on a low-sodium diet, or must avoid sodium, be sure to mention this to your physician. Some bowel prep solutions contain significant amounts of salt.

  • If you are diabetic, be sure that your physician is aware of this. Going for extended periods of time without food may cause issues, so be sure to have a plan in place for low blood sugar.

  • Even though you may be drinking a large volume of bowel prep solution, you still need to take in fluids as you normally would. Water is ideal, but clear liquids (preferably not carbonated) are acceptable.

  • Avoid high-residue foods and fiber supplements in the days before your procedure. Corn and nuts are examples of a high-residue food, which often is visibly unchanged when it is expelled from the body.

  • Keep your bowel prep solution cold, if possible; this can reduce how much you taste it. You may also want to drink it through a straw.

  • You may experience urgency, and need to get to the bathroom very quickly. If you are not able to move quickly, or need assistance to get to the restroom, plan to stay close to the bathroom. If you decide to sleep during bowel prep, be aware that you may have difficulty waking and moving to the bathroom quickly enough to avoid accidents.

  • Consider purchasing high-quality (very soft) toilet paper for your bowel prep. You will be going to the bathroom frequently, and soreness may develop if you use a harsh paper.

  • Consider purchasing wet wipes for your bowel prep to use instead of toilet paper.

  • Get comfortable and wear clothes that can easily be removed, such as pajama pants or a nightgown. You will be spending a lot of time going to the bathroom, and you may just get to the point where you just stay on the toilet instead of getting up and going every few minutes.

  • Dress warmly. You will be spending a great deal of time in the bathroom on a cold toilet seat, partially undressed. Do your best to make sure you aren't cold along with everything else that is going on. Some people wrap themselves in a blanket.

  • If you are given a solution that you must drink, consider flavoring it to make it more palatable. Crystal Light and Kool Aid are common choices. You may not want to use something that you enjoy on a regular basis, such as your favorite lemonade mix, as it may no longer be appealing after bowel prep.

  • If you are feeling lightheaded during your bowel prep, slow your intake of the bowel prep solution. Also, try to push/bear down less, as this can cause a feeling of lightheadedness.

  • It is possible for the bowel prep process to remove some of the normal flora of your intestines. This can make it more difficult to digest food, or just make your system feel "off" in the days following your procedure. Adding yogurt with active cultures to your diet as soon as soft foods are permitted can help with this issue.

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