What can you eat the day before a colonoscopy or gastroscopy?
Apr 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, the day before undergoing a colonoscopy or gastroscopy, patients may typically consume foods such as noodle soup, millet gruel, rice gruel, fruit juice, and dairy products. Regarding medications, patients can usually take lactulose oral solution, magnesium sulfate solution, phenolphthalein tablets, bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets, or lidocaine gel, under a doctor's guidance. It is also important to maintain good daily habits.
Generally, the day before undergoing a colonoscopy or gastroscopy, patients may consume foods such as noodle soup, millet gruel, rice gruel, fruit juice, and dairy products. Regarding medications, lactulose oral solution, magnesium sulfate solution, phenolphthalein tablets, bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets, and lidocaine jelly may typically be used under a doctor's guidance. Specific details are as follows:
I. Food
1. Noodle Soup
Noodle soup is a liquid made by boiling flour-based noodles and belongs to semi-liquid food. It is easily digested by the body. Consuming it before a colonoscopy or gastroscopy generally does not lead to excessive food residue in the intestines, thus avoiding interference with examination results.
2. Millet Gruel
Millet gruel can also be consumed. Its main component is water and it is easily digestible, allowing for rapid metabolism and excretion from the body, which helps prevent prolonged bowel cleansing time.
3. Rice Gruel
This is another type of semi-liquid food suitable for consumption before a colonoscopy or gastroscopy. It requires minimal digestion time, facilitating subsequent bowel preparation procedures.
4. Fruit Juice
Patients should choose residue-free juices such as apple juice, pear juice, or white grape juice. These generally do not affect the intestines and can be safely consumed.
5. Dairy Products
Low-fat milk, yogurt, or soy milk—high-protein dairy alternatives—are recommended. These foods do not overly burden the gastrointestinal tract while providing essential protein and nutrition.
II. Medications
1. Lactulose Oral Solution
Before gastrointestinal endoscopy, patients may take laxatives such as lactulose oral solution. This helps cleanse the intestines and promotes bowel movements, thereby reducing the impact of intestinal contents on the examination.
2. Magnesium Sulfate Solution
A commonly used osmotic laxative, magnesium sulfate solution can be taken in appropriate amounts under medical supervision when bowel cleansing is required before gastroscopy or colonoscopy. Keeping the intestine clean helps clearly identify gastrointestinal abnormalities.
3. Phenolphthalein Tablets
This stimulant laxative accelerates the expulsion of intestinal contents, improving the accuracy of the examination.
4. Bisacodyl Enteric-Coated Tablets
As directed by a physician, bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets may be taken. This common treatment for constipation promotes the elimination of intestinal contents, preventing fecal matter from obscuring the intestinal or gastric walls and ensuring more accurate examination results.
5. Lidocaine Jelly
Lidocaine jelly is a local anesthetic whose active ingredient is lidocaine. When taken orally, it produces an anesthetic effect by blocking nerve conduction, thereby reducing discomfort during gastroscopy or colonoscopy.
Patients are advised to use laxatives appropriately under medical supervision to achieve effective bowel cleansing. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and avoiding spicy or irritating foods contribute to overall digestive health.
