Why A Low Fiber Diet Before Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a procedure in which the inside lining of the large intestine (colon) is examined.
It can be used to determine any abnormal changes in the colon wall, such as cancer. The risk for precancerous polyps increases with age, and this procedure is often done on older adults or people who have symptoms that suggest they might have bowel disease.
When you go to your gastroenterologist for your colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend that you follow special instructions before the test to produce detailed, well-labeled images during the exam. This process is known as “bowel preparation.” It usually involves drinking a liquid laxative beforehand to cleanse (washout) the colon.
One type of bowel prep is known as “low residue.” This means that the laxative solution does not contain fiber. A low-residue solution allows more water to get into the stool, so it liquefies better and is flushed out of your body more efficiently during the procedure.
After drinking a low-residue solution, you may be asked to move your bowels one more time before your colonoscopy to ensure all residue has been passed from your body.
You were drinking a low residue bowel preparation before your colonoscopy will lower risks of complications, including bowel perforation or bleeding after the procedure for people with pre-existing gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, and people over the age of 65.
What is a low-fiber diet?
A low-fiber diet reduces the amount of fruit, vegetables, and grains you eat. It focuses on starchy foods such as pasta, rice, and bread. It also includes plenty of dairy products like milk and cheese and protein such as meat, fish, and eggs (but not too much red or processed meat). If you’re asked to follow a low-residue diet before having a procedure such as a colonoscopy or an endoscopy:
How long do I need to follow this type of diet?
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines suggest you follow the diet for at least three days before your procedure. Suppose you have certain medical conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
In that case, you may need to avoid high-fiber foods longer, and some experts recommend that people with IBD avoid fiber altogether for a month before an endoscopy. It would help if you talked to your doctor about how long you need to be on a low-residue diet.
Foods to avoid before colonoscopy procedure?
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic tool that allows doctors to see a person within the large intestine (also called bowel). They may find swelling, inflammation, or bleeding if this procedure is done in people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It would be good for you to avoid certain foods before going for this test to not interfere with the test result when it picks up your bowels. So what are these foods?
Foods that can cause bloating?
Foods that contain high carbohydrates and sugar content may cause gas in the body, especially in people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Some examples of these types of food include potatoes, beans, peas, cauliflower, and cabbage.
Foods that can cause constipation?
Foods rich in fiber such as vegetables and whole grains like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and quinoa should be avoided before you go for this test. These types of food may make the bowel movement harder hence increasing the risk of blockage, which will make it difficult for doctors to see your bowels clearly during the colonoscopy procedure.
Foods containing gluten: – foods made from wheat, barley, rye, and other grains must be avoided. This is because they also contain gluten, and people with celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have a higher chance of developing inflammation in their bowels, especially if they overeat gluten. Gluten can also make bowel movements harder and cause blockage during the procedure.
Foods to avoid before the colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic tool that allows doctors to see a person within the large intestine (also called bowel). They may find swelling, inflammation, or bleeding if this procedure is done in people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
It would be good for you to avoid certain foods before going for this test to not interfere with the test result when it picks up your bowels. So what are these foods?