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How do you know your colon is cleanse?

Signs Your Colon is Clear The morning of your exam if you are still passing brown liquid with solid material mixed in, your colon may not be ready and you should contact your doctor's office. Passing mostly clear or only a light color, including yellow, is a sign your colon is clean enough for an accurate examination.

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One of the most common questions we get at CRS is “how do I know if my bowel prep is working?

When prepping for a colonoscopy your doctor has probably talked to you about how important the bowel prep process is for accurate results. Residue left behind can make it harder for the doctor to view your colon during the exam – meaning a polyp or other issue might not be seen as clearly or even missed. And no one wants to get to a colonoscopy appointment and be told their prep didn’t fully empty the colon and they’ll have to do it again.

So how do you know if your bowel prep isn’t working?

Everyone Colon Is Different

When To Call Our Office

If it has been more than 4 hours since you started bowel prep and you aren’t feeling the effects

If you experience persistent nausea or vomiting during preparation

Many people start their prep and expect something to happen within minutes– but everyone is different and for some people, prep just takes longer to begin and complete. For the average patient prep takes about 6-8 hours to complete, and often women can take longer than men. Women often have longer colons due to childbirth or hysterectomies, so it can take more time for material to travel through the colon. Generally, if you’ve started prep but haven’t felt the urge to go to the bathroom after an hour, there is no cause for concern or a call to the doctor’s office. However, if it has been more than 4 hours since you started the bowel prep process and you aren’t feeling the effects please contact our office for instructions. Or if you experience persistent nausea or vomiting during preparation you should call and let us know.

Health Issues or Medications May Also Impact Prep

Not following the instructions, or drinking clear liquids as prescribed can slow or negatively impact bowel prep. And patients with diabetes, neurologic conditions or those who take certain medications or suffer from chronic constipation may take up to twice as long to complete the process. This is just one of the many reasons the physicians at CRS may meet with patients beforehand to review your health history and identify and factors that might impact the type of prep given. It is important to bring a list of every medication you are taking, as there are several different colon preparations and your CRS doctor will determine the best prep based on your specific situation. If necessary your CRS doctor may consult with your primary care, or GI doctor, to discuss stopping or altering dosage, or certain medications prior to your exam.

Signs Your Colon is Clear

The morning of your exam if you are still passing brown liquid with solid material mixed in, your colon may not be ready and you should contact your doctor’s office. Passing mostly clear or only a light color, including yellow, is a sign your colon is clean enough for an accurate examination.

Talk to a Colon Doctor in Richmond, VA

Established in 1913, CRS is one of the oldest continually operating groups of colon and rectal surgeons in the country and the largest state-of-the-art practice on the East Coast with three locations around Richmond, VA. The physicians and staff of Colon & Rectal Specialists are committed to providing all our patients with the special care and education needed for the treatment of colon and rectal problems. Contact us for more information or an appointment at one of our three Richmond area locations.

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What causes lots of gas and loose stools?

Many conditions can cause diarrhea and gas. Some examples include lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, giardiasis, and rotavirus.

Many conditions can cause diarrhea and gas. Some examples include lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, giardiasis, and rotavirus. Reactions to antibiotics may cause these symptoms in some people, but it is important to take all antibiotics as prescribed unless you are told otherwise by your doctor. If you experience diarrhea that worsens or does not improve, seek a doctor's advice. While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet: At MedicineNet, we believe it is important to take charge of your health through measures such as a living healthy lifestyle, practicing preventative medicine, following a nutrition plan, and getting regular exercise. Understanding your symptoms and signs and educating yourself about health conditions are also a part of living your healthiest life. The links above will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions to help you inform yourself about the causes and available treatments for these conditions.

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