How to Make the Colon Clearing Liquid Easy to Drink

By Mark W. Well

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. At the same time it is one of a few types of cancer that can be prevented. It is, in more than 90% of cases, a preventable cancer. A Colonoscopy is one of the most important steps in colorectal cancer prevention and early detection. The colonoscopy preparation is the worst part about the bowel examination, but it is essential for successful testing. This article will offer a few basic colon prep tips that can ease your preparations.

Two ways of taking a bowel clearing mixture

A day before your colonoscopy you will have to drink 3 to 4 liters of water mixed with powder. In general, there are two ways of taking this bowel clearing mixture. Some doctors will instruct you to take half of the whole dose in the afternoon and evening before your colonoscopy. As there are some liquids that might accumulate in your colon over night, it is an advantage of this method that you get a chance to clear them out in the morning. However, some doctors will tell you to drink it all within one day. Most people are simply afraid of the amount of the liquid mixture, but unfortunately even more challenging is its taste.

Make it taste better!

The bowel clearing mixture is a thick liquid that has a salty taste to it. Most patients find it very hard to swallow due to its unpleasant taste. To keep your mind positive while taking the liquid, it helps to imagine every solid piece of matter running away from your intestines chased by the colon clearing liquid. To bypass some of the taste buds, drink it through a straw! Another useful colon prep tip is to refrigerate your bowel clearing liquid and thus improve its taste.

After the colonoscopy preparation is completed, you probably won't be able to drink anything similar to the clearing liquid for a long time. Your brain will remember its taste well. If you really need to change it and make it taste better, you can choose a variety of flavors. It is highly recommended to take more than two flavors since you do not want to make your brain associate the added flavor with the bowel clearing mixture.

In the first phase, you will be taking a glass of the clearing liquid every 15 min. That can be intense, but don't give up. Remember that every successfully drunk glass is a step closer to the bottom of the jug. Reward yourself with a piece of candy after every glass. Suck on it for a few moments, but do not swallow it. A little bit of sweetness will help you swim through this challenging medical procedure.

I am certain the tips you have read inspired you to search for more. If you are interested in finding in more colonoscopy prep tips, look for a professional advice and experienced patients who have been through colonoscopy.

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