Managing Problems with Bowel Preps
One of the more unpleasant tasks for patients undergoing colonoscopy is having to take a bowel preparation to cleanse the colon. Among the most common complaints with bowel preps are nausea, vomiting, and feeling dehydrated (fatigued, lightheaded, dizzy). Some tips on how to minimize or eliminate these problems include the following:
1) Stay well hydrated before you begin your bowel preparation. Two days before your colonoscopy, be mindful of your fluid intake and losses. The 48 hours before your test, the average adult consume at least eight 8oz glasses of fluid. The day before the procedure, it is recommended that an individual drinks 8 oz of fluid every 1-2 hours before taking the bowel prep. Drinks that contain electrolytes (ie; sodium, potassium) such as Gatorade or Propel are helpful in maintaining a balance of electrolytes during the prep. Patients with heart, lung, or fluid balance problems should speak with their doctor regarding how they should modify their fluid intake before a test. The key point to remember is to stay well hydrated.
2) Many bowel preparations instruct individuals to take a morning laxative the day before the test, followed by a stronger bowel preparation beginning that evening. Much of the nausea and vomiting associated with bowel preps is precipitated by rapid consumption of the prep. As such, individuals taking a bowel prep may want to consider starting the prep earlier in the afternoon and consuming at a slower pace to mitigate these symptoms.
3) A variety of bowel preparations exist that vary in volume and type (pill vs. liquid). Patients who have difficulty consuming large amounts of liquid preps, may want to speak with their physicians regarding alternative preps that come in a different formulation or smaller volume. Some preparations are not appropriate for patients with heart or kidney problems. Patients with such conditions should discuss this with their doctor before taking a bowel prep.
4) Individuals who have had problematic nausea and vomiting with bowel preps in the past may want to discuss with their doctor obtaining a prescription for anti-nausea medicine to take before the prep.