Medical procedures and surgeries are delicate and require proper implementation of the instructions discussed before the surgery. Since patients are already stressed out related to their health, often they make mistakes and forget about those instructions.
Sometimes patients do not have enough knowledge about the before and after preparations for a medical procedure. Due to a lack of awareness, they face difficulties. Like colonoscopy is a medical procedure before which you cannot eat or drink anything.
While they are in the middle of the process and they forget the instructions that were discussed before the colonoscopy session. If they accidentally eat something then the procedure is rescheduled. If your colon and rectum are not empty that is you have consumed food or drinks before the procedure which can lead to complications or need rescheduling.
If you are preparing yourself or your loved one for a colonoscopy then this article is a must to read for you. Here, we will tell you about every detail related to colonoscopy and what happens if someone accidentally drank milk before colonoscopy.
What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a medical procedure that helps in finding abnormalities and changes in the colon (large intestine) and rectum. In this procedure, a flexible long tube with a video camera at the tip called a colonoscope is used. The colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the doctor does an internal examination of the colon.
Anatomy of Colon
It is the end part of the human gastrointestinal tract. This lowest portion helps in taking food, absorbing nutrients, and transferring the waste to the rectum. The colon is connected to the anus via the rectum. The anus is the external opening part of the body that helps in expelling feces.
Apart from viewing the inside of the entire colon, the doctor may also take samples of abnormal tissues like polyps through biopsy. A colonoscopy helps in detecting small cancerous cells in the colon. Since it is very important to treat and control cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body.
If a small group of polyps is shown in the colonoscopy it is removed so that later it cannot develop into colon cancer. The combined cancer of the colon and the rectum is known as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer that has caused most deaths in the United States. Among all types of cancer, it is the third most common type of cancer in women and men in the United States.
How Long Before A Colonoscopy Should I Stop drinking Water
Before the colonoscopy procedure, the doctor completely changes the diet of the patient. The day before the procedure, they can only have clear fluids. Before 2 to 3 hours of procedure operation, you should not drink or eat anything.
If you accidentally drink water before a colonoscopy, accidentally drank milk before colonoscopy, or alcohol before a colonoscopy it will give an unclear image of the colon. Either doctor will miss the lesions and polyps during the colonoscopy or the procedure timing will increase leading to complications. Therefore, for a successful colonoscopy, it is essential to empty the rectum before the procedure.
The Day Before The Colonoscopy Diet
The procedure requires changes in the diet and bowel movement preparation a few days before the colonoscopy process. A low-fiber diet having zero whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, or dried fruits is recommended a few days before the colonoscopy.
A day before a colonoscopy, the patient should not consume solid foods. The patient can only have a clear liquid diet for colonoscopy. Patients can consume soups, clear juices, black tea or coffee, broth, popsicles, clear soft drinks, etc.
Why Can’t You Have Milk Before A Colonoscopy?
It is possible that the patient accidentally drank milk before colonoscopy in any form like tea, coffee, ice cream, or yogurt. You should inform the doctor immediately because before the procedure laxatives or enema is given to clear the rectum.
If you are not lactose intolerant then there is no need to worry. Before a colonoscopy, a low residue diet or low fiber diet is recommended and milk lies in that category.
What Foods Are Allowed Prior To Colonoscopy?
As told earlier that a few days before the colonoscopy procedure a low residue or low fiber diet is recommended. You can eat white rice, boiled cereals, or noodles. you can also have foods and vegetables without the skin and seeds like potatoes, mushrooms, green beans, carrots, avocado, and riped bananas.
One day before the procedure, the patient will stop taking solids and only consume a clear liquid diet. However, in the afternoon or evening before the procedure, a laxative or enema is given to the patient to trigger bowel clearing.
Flecks In Stool After A Colonoscopy Prep
After taking laxatives or enemas within an hour or two you will have diarrhea. The last bowel movement should be clear enough so that you can see the bottom of the toilet.
The yellow color may be due to the bile and if you see a few flecks in the stool there is no need to worry it is completely normal.
Does The Second Dose Of Suprep Work Faster
Suprep is among laxative which is used before the procedure of colonoscopy. It is a mixture of potassium, sodium, and magnesium sulfate that cleans out the intestine by drawing a large amount of water into the colon.
Before the procedure, two bottles of Suprep are given to the patient one evening before the colonoscopy and the other on the morning of the colonoscopy. Both doses have a 10 to 12 hours difference between them. Just after the first dose most patient starts having a bowel movement but for some reason it takes hours.
We will recommend you to wear loose clothes and stay close to the bathroom when diarrhea starts.
What Can I Eat The Day Before A Colonoscopy?
One day before the colonoscopy procedure the patient should not eat any solid food. Only clear liquids like juices, black tea or coffee, broth, popsicles,and water are allowed.
Bottom line
Apart from taking care of your diet, you should also remain stress-free to prevent anxiety. Keep yourself calm and relaxed before, during, and after the procedure. If you have any queries, do not hesitate and immediately ask your physician or pharmacist.
According to research, it is no matter of concern if you accidentally drink milk before a colonoscopy because it is included in the low residue diet food category. However, you should tell your doctor about it then he will decide whether they should continue or re-schedule your colonoscopy procedure.
