What time should you stop eating the day before a physical examination?

Generally, it is necessary to fast for 8-12 hours before a medical examination, which means you should stop eating after 8 to 10 PM the previous night. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Prior to the examination, fasting for 8-12 hours is required. It is usually recommended not to eat after 8 to 10 PM the previous night. The main purpose is to ensure accurate examination results. After eating, the body initiates the digestive and metabolic process, which can temporarily elevate blood glucose and triglyceride levels, potentially causing deviations in blood glucose and lipid test results, affecting the physician's assessment of metabolic health. Meanwhile, gas or food residue generated during digestion may accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, possibly obscuring organ outlines during abdominal ultrasound and other imaging examinations, interfering with the physician's observation of the morphology and structure of organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, thereby increasing the risk of misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.

In addition, after 8 PM before the examination, you should try to avoid drinking large amounts of water to prevent stomach distention, which could affect abdominal ultrasound and other tests. However, you may drink a small amount of plain water, generally limited to 50 to 100 milliliters, to maintain your body's fluid balance.