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Why Eating on a Schedule May Improve Your Digestion

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Sure you know that what you eat is important, but did you know that when you eat may also play a role in good digestive health? Scheduling when you eat may seem type-A to the extreme, but the health benefits just might convince you to give it a shot.

According to Everyday Health, “consuming your meals and snacks on a regular schedule can help keep your digestive system in top shape.” When you don’t eat at consistent times each day, it can cause your stomach to overwork resulting in bloating and indigestion, but eating on a schedule “will allow proper digestion of your food, which will result in you having a good comfortable feeling in your stomach” (Healthy Eating).

The key is to eat every 3 to 4 hours in order to allow your stomach to properly digest its contents. By setting specific times for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and sitting down to eat them at the same time each day, your body knows exactly when it’s time to eat, which will help prevent overeating and improve digestive health.

So, then, what are the best times to eat?

Breakfast

The most important meal of the day, breakfast should be eaten within one hour of waking, ideally between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.

After 6 to 8 hours of sleep, your stomach is empty and your body needs calories for energy. Make sure those calories are high in protein and low in sugar and carbs. Eating a doughnut will send your blood sugar skyrocketing but leave you feeling hungry again long before lunch time. Consider oatmeal with fresh fruit, omelet with spinach, or a piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter to get your digestive track off to a good start.

Lunch

Try to eat lunch about 4 to 5 hours after breakfast, sometime around 11:00 or 12:00 p.m. Do not skip lunch or else you run the risk of turning into a zombie by early afternoon, the busiest time of day. A good lunch consists of lean protein (lean meats like turkey, chicken or fish), complex carbs (brown rice, whole wheat pasta or bread), fiber and good fats.

Dinner

The best time to eat your final meal of the day is no less than 3 hours before you go to bed, ideally around 6:00 p.m. According to Time, “Eating too close to bedtime increases your blood sugar and insulin, which causes you to have a hard time falling asleep. Therefore, your last meal should be the lightest of the day and should be eaten at least three hours before you go to sleep.”

Meal ideas for dinner should resemble lunch: a protein, a complex carb and fruits and vegetables.

Snacks

About three hours after breakfast and again about three hours after lunch, have a light, low-calorie snack. Think apple slices or a banana, a handful of unsalted nuts, a smoothie, or low-fat yogurt. The goal is not to fully satisfy your hunger but to tide you over until the next meal.

Eating meals and snacks at set times every day may help your digestion. It’s important (1) to eat  breakfast within an hour of waking up; (2) to eat your last meal at least three hours before bedtime; and (3) to give your stomach ample time (at least 3 to 4 hours) to digest food.

Can I Have Colon Cancer With No Symptoms?

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Our bodies are amazing machines. They operate with precision until something goes wrong. We can often rely on our bodies to tell us when something is amiss. When we feel pain, soreness, fever or weakness, this could be a warning sign for an underlying condition. But can we always count on a physical symptom to indicate disease?

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. It is expected that colon cancer will claim the lives of 50,310 Americans this year. One of the reasons that colon cancer is such a threat is because it often has no symptoms in the early stages. Often, there are no signs or pain until the disease has advanced. Symptoms may increase in severity as the disease progresses, and by the time colon cancer is discovered, it may have already spread to other tissues.

When colon cancer symptoms are present, they may include:

  • Abdominal discomfort and bloating
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Pelvic pain
  • Dark patches of blood in the stool or long, thin stools
  • Changes in bowel movements
  • Feeling of not emptying bowels completely

In the early stages of the disease, colorectal cancer symptoms may be minimal, or not present at all. As the disease progresses, though, symptoms may increase in quantity and degree of severity. Because colorectal cancer symptoms often do not present themselves until the disease has progressed past the early stages, regular colon screening is recommended, and should be part of a continued health plan for anyone over 50. If you are under 50 and have a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors, you should talk with your doctor about when you should start regular screening. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colon screening because it is the most comprehensive colon examination, offering diagnosis and polyp removal in the same procedure. The best way to prevent colon cancer is to know the warning signs of colon cancer and follow your doctor’s recommendation for colon screenings.

Quiz: What Age Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

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Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women, and the risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 20. These statistics should make all of us pay attention. It is very clear that anyone can be affected by colon cancer, and the best way to prevent colon cancer is through regular screenings. But do you know at what age you should start getting screened for colon cancer?

The age at which you should get your colonoscopy is sometimes known as your “colonoscopy age.” Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should have a baseline colonoscopy at the age of 50 and every 10 years thereafter if the colonoscopy is clear, but age 50 is not the magic number for all people.

There are several risk factors that make some individuals more prone to colon cancer and therefore lower their colonoscopy age. For example:

  • Being of African American descent is one risk factor that lowers colonoscopy age.
    African Americans should be screened for colon cancer at age 45 because of higher incidence of colon cancer.
  • Having a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps.
    About 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers are genetically linked. Therefore, someone who has a family history of colon cancer is more likely to have inherited the cancer gene than a person who has no family history of colorectal cancer.
  • Having a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) with colon cancer or polyps puts you at higher risk.
    The rule of thumb is that if any first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened 10 years before the youngest case in the immediate family. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at age 45 with colon cancer, you should have your first screening at age 35. Recent studies are showing that family history plays a more important role than previously thought.

Although age 50 is the suggested age for a baseline colonoscopy, talk to your doctor about what age is right for you. Don’t wait until age 50 to start asking questions. Especially if you are in a high-risk category, make an appointment to discuss options and timing. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, but it requires you to be proactive in your own health care.

In fact, when caught early, more than 90 percent of patients with early stage colon cancer survive longer than five years. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for cancer screening. Although there are several types of screening methods such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema and fecal occult blood test, the colonoscopy is the most comprehensive test available and is the only one that can not only detect but prevent cancer.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider to Determine Your Colonoscopy Cost

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You have made one of the most important decisions you will ever make: you are getting a colonoscopy! Your doctor has recommended this important procedure, and now it’s time for you to take some action. The next step is for you to call your insurance company to see if you have any cost-sharing responsibilities. A screening colonoscopy can be fully or mostly covered under the Affordable Care Act depending on your insurance plan. Coverage is not always clear, and it is certainly not the same across the board. Before you have your colonoscopy, it is your responsibility to find out how much the procedure will cost.

Call Your Insurance Provider Before Your Colonoscopy

How should you approach this phone call? What are the correct questions to ask? Here is a sample dialogue to use as a guideline as you speak to your insurance provider to estimate your out-of pocket cost for your upcoming colonoscopy:

Patient: “I am ____ years old and my doctor wants me to get a colonoscopy.” (The recommended age for a colonoscopy is age 50 unless you are at high risk)

  • Provider: “Who is the surgeon or gastroenterologist who will be performing the procedure? What is the name of the hospital or ambulatory surgery center where you will have the procedure? I would like to check to see if your doctor and facility are in-network.” (This information will help your provider tell you how much your procedure will cost for an in-network doctor and facility vs. an out-of-network doctor and facility. Your provider can also direct you to a list of in-network doctors and facilities to save you money.)

Patient: “Am I subject to a deductible for this procedure? What percentage of the procedure is my responsibility?”

  • Provider: “To answer those questions, I need to ask you a few questions: Is this your first colonoscopy? Are you having problems? Did your doctor refer to this procedure as a screening colonoscopy or a diagnostic colonoscopy?” (A screening colonoscopy is when there are no symptoms or perceived problems. A diagnostic colonoscopy is associated with symptoms).

Patient: “If I have come in for a screening colonoscopy and my doctor finds a polyp, how might this affect my cost-sharing responsibility?”

  • Provider: “That is a great question. Let me look at your plan so I can give you details on your surgery benefits. If a polyp is found and removed during a screening colonoscopy, you may responsible for the cost of the removal and pathology.”

Patient: “If I add up these charges, will that give me the exact amount I am paying?”

  • Provider: “This is just an estimate of the charges for your colonoscopy. The final cost is determined by how the procedure is billed and whether the colonoscopy is coded as a screening or a diagnostic colonoscopy.”

Patient: “Can you direct me to the place on your website that will go over these details we just spoke about so I can refer to my benefits later?” (You always want to be able to access this information again. Having a representative explain your benefits is very important so you understand the charges, but you need to be able to find a copy of your colonoscopy benefits and even print them off for your reference).

Final Cost is Determined by Your Doctor

Remember that the type of colonoscopy you have (diagnostic or screening) and how your procedure is coded is up to your doctor and not your insurance company. Your insurance company is somewhat limited in its ability to tell you what your out-of-pocket cost will be because it is the doctor’s office that applies specific codes to the procedures. Therefore, it is best to view this call as a rough estimate of your cost-sharing responsibility.  It is a very good idea to call your doctor’s office or facility to confirm costs and how they will code your procedure based on your patient information.

A colonoscopy is one of the best steps that you can take for your health. Because colonoscopies are the most effective test for preventing and diagnosing colon cancer, they carry the highest price tag. However, screening colonoscopies may be free or prove to be very reasonable when you ask the right questions. Call your insurance provider before you schedule your colonoscopy so you can verify that:

  • Your doctor is in-network
  • Your facility is in-network
  • You have colonoscopy screening benefits
  • You understand how various outcomes of your colonoscopy will affect your cost-sharing responsibilities.

What Is the Difference between Hemorrhoids and Colon Cancer?

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Most people assume they have hemorrhoids when they have painful, swollen, bleeding tissue in the rectal area. This may be accurate, as about 89 percent of all Americans develop hemorrhoids at some point in life. Hemorrhoids are painful, itching or bleeding areas of varicose veins located in the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids can result from pregnancy, straining while using the restroom, lifting heavy objects or sitting for long periods of time. They can get worse over the years, but fortunately, they can be treated quite easily. Over two thirds of all healthy individuals reporting for a physical examination have hemorrhoids, so this condition does not mean that a person is ill.

Not all rectal symptoms are related to hemorrhoids. Research from the Hemorrhoid Care Medical Clinic showed that 90 percent of colon and rectal cancer patients initially thought that they had hemorrhoids. Many Americans are completely unaware of the symptoms of colorectal cancer, so it is important to know the warning signs. Sometimes, colorectal cancer has no symptoms, but some people do experience:

  • Excessive gas
  • Blood in the stool
  • Change in bowel habits
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Change in shape and color of stools
  • Feelings of incomplete evacuation
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation

If you have any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician and ask for information about a colon screening. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and 1 in every 17 Americans will get colorectal cancer during their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of all colorectal cancer cases and deaths are thought to be preventable with appropriate screening (Source: Hemorrhoid.net).

There are many screening methods for colon cancer, but the most effective screening test is the colonoscopy. A colonoscopy allows your doctor to view the entire length of your colon to determine the health of your digestive tract. A long, flexible tube called a colonoscope contains a camera which allows your doctor to locate any polyps or abnormalities. If a polyp is discovered during the procedure, your doctor can remove it during the colonoscopy for biopsy and further evaluation.

If you notice any changes in your rectal area or in your bowel habits, see your doctor right away. There’s no benefit to suffering in silence, so get the help you need by making an appointment.

Family History Could Cover Your Colonoscopy

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Does colon cancer run in your family? If so, you could be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

Adults who are at average risk for colon cancer should get a baseline colonoscopy at 50 years of age, but if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened earlier.  A family history of colon cancer is defined as having a first degree relative (mother, father, sister or brother) with colon cancer, precancerous polyps or cancerous polyps.

How do I find out if I am eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy?

If you meet these criteria, there are specific steps that you should take so that you can be eligible for a free or low-cost screening colonoscopy before the age of 50.

  1. Find out what age your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps.
  2. Talk to your primary care physician and say, “My __________ (mother, father, sister or brother) was diagnosed with colon cancer/polyps at the age of ___.  I need to have ‘family history of colon cancer and/or polyps’ added into my medical records.” The records should include the family member(s) and the age(s).
  3. Call your insurance provider and convey the same information. Ask the representative to notate this information in your records.
  4. Ask your insurance provider if you have colonoscopy screening benefits in your policy. This benefit may vary among policies even within the same provider. Not all private insurance has colonoscopy screening benefits, and it is up to you to find out before you schedule your colonoscopy.
  5. Ask your insurance provider, “At what age am I eligible for screening benefits?” Some policies may allow you a screening colonoscopy at the same age as your first-degree relative was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, and some policies may allow you to have a screening performed earlier.
  6. Ask your insurance provider, “How much it will cost if the gastroenterologist finds a polyp in during my colonoscopy?” Polyp removal and biopsy often do not fall under “screening” so they may be filed under “medical.”  This would affect your financial responsibility, althought pathology (tests on the polyp(s) removed) is usually not exceptaionally expensive and is a small price to pay for preventing cancer!  Also important, ask whether the colonoscopy would change from a screening colonoscopy to a diagnostic colonoscopy if a polyp is discovered and how that may affect your payment.

When your doctor and insurance provider are aware of your family history and you are aware of your benefits, you can now safely schedule your colonoscopy.

How much will my colonoscopy cost me?

When there is a family history of colon cancer or polyps, some insurance providers pay 100 percent of colonoscopy screenings. Others may pay 80 percent or 90 percent, so be aware of your portion of the cost-share. Remember that all coverage and cost-sharing questions are policy-specific and only your health care provider can answer these questions for you. As tempting as it is to ask a friend, “How much was your colonoscopy?” remember that your benefits are specific to your plan.

Having a family history of colon cancer may be enough to qualify you for a free or low-cost colonoscopy under your health plan. It is essential that you initiate the process by asking the right questions and having proper documentation in your medical records and health plan records. Talk to your doctor and insurance provider so you can have a colonoscopy screening when the time is right for you. Most colon cancer is very treatable when found in the early stages, and early screening means prevention, early detection and early treatment!

How Do I Choose the Best Doctor for My Colonoscopy?

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Let’s say it’s time for your very first screening colonoscopy. How do you choose your gastroenterologist for your procedure? You may look online for gastroenterologists in your area. You may ask your friends for a recommendation. But which doctor is the right one for you? The short answer is: the doctor who finds the most polpys!

Study Links Polyp Detection Rate to Colon Cancer Rate

According to a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, the likelihood of developing colon cancer is significantly reduced among individuals whose doctors removed a greater number of adenomas, or premalignant polyps. The study examined 300,000 screening colonoscopies performed by 136 physicians who had performed at least 300 colonoscopies. Among the physicians, the polyp detection rate ranged from 7.4 and 52.5 percent. They physicians were divided into five groups according to their polyp detection rate. The research team then assessed the number of colon cancers that resulted between six months and 10 years after screening.

For patients whose doctors had the highest percentage of polyp detection, their colon cancer rate was about 50 percent of the rate whose doctors fell into the lowest group for polyp detection. Patients with fatal colon tumors also had much higher rate of survival with physicians who had high detection rates. Researchers also documented that physician skill affects the stage at which colon and rectal cancers are discovered.

Therefore, it would seem that there is an inverse relationship between a gastroenterologist’s frequency in removing benign polyps and their patients developing colon cancer. In the New England Journal of Medicines’ blog, it reads, “each 1 percent increase in adenoma detection rate brought with it a 3 percent decrease in interval cancer risk and a 5 percent decrease in risk of fatal colon cancer.”

What Affects a GI’s Polyp Detection Rate?

This study actually prompts new questions such as, “Why is there such a wide range of polyp detection rates among physicians?” There are many factors that affect detection rates such as:

  • Demographics— physician who serve older populations may detect more polyps
  • Colon prep— how well the gut has been cleansed affects detection rates
  • Patient insurance and reimbursement— how much the doctor is being reimbursed for the procedure may affect the thoroughness of the procedure

Spending More Time “Down There” Matters

Probably the most significant factor in polyp detection rates is how long and hard the physician actively looks for polyps. Sometimes, it just comes down to how much time your doctor spends in your colon. If a doctor passes the colonoscope through the entire colon and diligently scopes for polyps until the scope nears the appendix at the end of the right colon, the chances of polyp detection are higher.

Take Time to Ask Questions

So if it’s time for your first colonoscopy, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions such as:

  1. What is your experience in performing colonoscopies?
  2. How long does the procedure normally take you to perform?
  3. What is your polyp detection rate for patients my age?

Never be hesitant to ask questions. Your colonoscopy can be a window into your health. Do your part by preparing for the procedure thoroughly and by asking good qualifying questions to your doctor. The proof is in numbers, so find a doctor with high detection rates (Source: Forbes).

Put the Kettle on for Some Colon Healthy Herbal Tea

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I became a fan of tea when I studied at Oxford University in college. My first cream tea was an unforgettable experience. Flaky scones, fresh cucumber sandwiches, petit fours and chocolate dipped strawberries accompanied the warm tea sweetened with sugar and thick cream. How was life ever going to be the same? I’d never been a coffee drinker, but I became a lover of tea that winter. A cup of warm tea with a sugar cube and a douse of cream gave me the energy I needed to make it through many-a novel when my eyes were getting heavy with sleep—and a bit of boredom!

Now, tea shops always catch my attention, and I like to try new flavors and varieties. Green tea, black tea, bubble tea or chai tea, I drink them all. I like giving and receiving tea as gifts, and I always have a stash of tea in my pantry. My children love tea too, and they sometimes ask for tea instead of juice for breakfast. I think tea is a comfort beverage that just makes you feel good inside.

So tea aficionados, here is great news for you: if you love a good cup of herbal tea, you may be preventing colon cancer. People who drink herbal tea at least once a week may have a reduced risk of distal colon and rectal cancer. A research team studied the effects of hot coffee, iced coffee, herbal tea and black tea on the risk of proximal colon, distal colon and rectal cancers. Researchers noted the type, frequency and amount of beverage consumed. Pathology reports helped accurately determine the origin of cancer in the large bowel.

Researchers collected data from a case-controlled study from Western Australia between the years of 2005 and 2007. The findings suggested that drinking black tea with or without milk, green tea, decaffeinated coffee and milk had no effect on colorectal cancer risk. In fact, this study found that hot coffee was linked to an increased risk of distal colon cancer (but this was inconsistent with other research). However, drinking herbal tea at least once per week could be healthy for the colon.

More research needs to be conducted on other factors besides herbal tea that could affect colon cancer risk. It could be that herbal tea drinkers eat a healthier diet than those who do not drink herbal tea. Individuals who drink herbal tea often do drink tea for their health’s sake, and they may also make wiser food choices (Source: University Herald).

Other research suggests that white tea and green tea could be beneficial in preventing colon cancer. Of all the types of tea, white tea has the highest levels of antioxidants and polyphenols (cancer prevention compounds). This is because white tea is the least processed of all teas. Green tea is the second least processed. White tea is sometimes difficult to find, but certain varieties can usually be purchased at specialty tea shops. Green tea, however, is quite easy to find in grocery stores and is very accessible to everyone (Source: Web MD).

Although tea might not be your “cup of tea,” there are so many different varieties that there is really something for everyone. Herbal teas come in so many different flavors. They can complement desserts, be put over ice for a refreshing iced tea, or be a great way to warm your hands and stomach on a cold day. Whether you try herbal, white or green tea, why not try a cup of tea per week for the sake of your colon? Let’s all raise a cup to good health and enjoy a new flavor in our mug!

Frequency of Repeat Colonoscopy in Average Risk Patients

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All adults that are at average risk should have a baseline colonoscopy at the age of 50. Certain risk factors may lower the age for a recommended baseline colonoscopy. If you have a clear colonoscopy and no polyps or abnormalities are discovered, you most likely will not have to have another colonoscopy for 10 years.

If your gastroenterologist finds polyps during your colonoscopy, how soon will you have to schedule another procedure? The general guidelines state that a repeat colonoscopy should be performed in five years if one or two small adenomas (precancerous polyps) are found and 10 years if hyperplastic (noncancerous) polyps are found.

The Study

A study in the April issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy analyzed the frequency of repeat colonoscopies in Michigan. The lead author of the journal article was Stacy Menees, M.D., of the University of Michigan Health System. She stated, “The aim of our study was to quantify the frequency of appropriate follow-up colonoscopy recommendations after one or two polyps were found during the screening colonoscopy in average risk patients. In addition, we aimed to identify factors associated with adherence to guideline recommendations including bowel preparation quality, demographic factor and procedural factors.”

The study was conducted between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2009, among average risk individuals aged 50 or over who were undergoing colonoscopy screening and had one to two small polyps. All results were taken from a retrospective endoscopic database from the University of Michigan in-hospital medical procedure unit, two outpatient ambulatory surgery centers and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Health Care System in-hospital endoscopy suite.

The endoscopists (physicians who perform endoscopic procedures like colonoscopies) may sometimes vary from the guidelines. More specifically, the guidelines state that average risk patients with one or two small (less than one centimeter) adenomas (precancerous polyps) at screening colonoscopy should be directed to get a surveillance colonoscopy in 5 to 10 years. If 1 to 2 small hyperplastic (noncancerous) polyps are found, a colonoscopy should be performed in 10 years. Because of the Affordable Care Act, recommending repeat colonoscopies sooner than the guidelines are more scrutinized today, so this study comes at a very appropriate time.

The Results

Of the 922 colonoscopies with 1 or 2 small polyps discovered, 90.2 percent of patients received correct recommendations for appropriate timing for repeat colonoscopies. Eighty-four percent of patients with 1 to 2 small adenomas and 94 percent of patients with 1 or 2 hyperplastic polyps received recommendations consistent with guidelines.

What would make endoscopists vary from the recommended timing for repeat procedures? A colonoscopy could be recommended sooner if:

  • Bowel prep was fair or poor because polyps or adenomas could be missed
  • Patient is at higher risk for colorectal cancer
  • Patient is older than age 70
  • The endoscopist is concerned about limitations of the colonoscopy in preventing colorectal cancer on the right side
  • Endoscopist distrusts research that supports the guideline recommendations

Four Common Misconceptions about Colonoscopy Prep

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Many of us can remember having test anxiety in school. Sometimes test anxiety included sweaty palms, a raised heart rate and a queasy feeling in our stomachs. Some medical tests and exams can bring on those old familiar feelings of test anxiety. Feeling unprepared or nervous is common, but good studying and preparation can bring confidence on test day.

A colonoscopy can cause a great deal of “test anxiety” because it requires a good amount of preparation to cleanse the colon. Listening to other peoples’ stories about colon cleansing can increase anxiety, especially if this is your first colonoscopy. It is important to be able to find sources of good, sound information and not rely on someone else’s story. Here are a few misconceptions about colonoscopy preparation:

  1. The colon cleanse is a horrible experience—Emptying your colon is necessary for thorough and accurate results. However, the most common complaint from people is the volume of fluid you are required to drink and not the time in the bathroom.
  2. There is only one type of colon preparation—Actually, there are several types of colon preps, and you can talk to your doctor about which one is best for you. Now, there is even a lower-volume option if you have a hard time drinking a large volume of fluid at one time.
  3. You have to go an entire day without eating—Yes, this is partially true. You can only have clear liquids that will pass through your system easily and not interfere with the colonoscopy. However, there are a few items on the approved list that feel more like real food. Along with clear broths and juices, you can also have Jell-o, popsicles and Italian ice (as long as they do not contain red or blue dye). Bring on the treats!
  4. Spending an entire day in the bathroom will be boring—You need to stay close to the bathroom, but try to give yourself something to look forward to on prep day. Subscribe to Netflix and try a new show you have been wanting to see! You could get through a season in one day! Purchase a new book and see how much of it you can read on prep day. You might actually enjoy that time to yourself.

If you still find yourself feeling nervous about your colonoscopy prep and procedure, talk to your doctor and ask for some literature and information. Searching the internet and asking for other people’s opinions can cause misinformation and more anxiety. Save your questions for your doctor, and this will help you feel more informed and confident for your prep day and your colonoscopy.

To find out more tips about prep day and how you can avoid the need to retest, read our comprehensive information about colonoscopy prep.