Can You Drink Coffee The Day Before A Colonoscopy?
Prepping for a colonoscopy can be stressful. Selecting a patient-friendly bowel prep, limiting physical activity and adhering to a restricted diet the day before can be difficult and the consumption of certain foods and beverages the day before the procedure can be risky. One of the most frequently asked questions is if it’s safe to drink coffee before a colonoscopy.
Caffeine is a stimulant, which can affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract including the bowels, as well as the heart and blood pressure. While an occasional cup of coffee is generally considered safe, overindulging in caffeine can lead to adverse outcomes.
According to GI specialist, Dr. Amelia Kling, “All carbonated beverages and caffeine should be avoided 24 hours prior to a colonoscopy. This includes coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages, as well as any sodas or sparkling water.” Over-consumption of caffeine can act as a laxative and cause diarrhea and watery stools 24 hours after drinking, even after following the bowel prep instructions.
Healing management professor, Dr. Augusta Brown states “drinking less than 250 mg of caffeine a day is generally considered safe” and doesn’t affect most people’s overall health. That’s roughly two to three cups of regular brewed coffee or two 10-ounce energy drinks. Regularly drinking more than 250 mg of caffeine a day, however, can give rise to complications such as intestinal cramping and dehydration.
Caffeine is also a diuretic, meaning it causes your body to lose water. Some of the traditional bowel preps require drinking a large amount of liquids and caffeine products won’t help you meet the hydration goals you need in order to successfully complete the prep. Dehydration can also cause dizziness, constipation and head aches as well.
Caffeine Interactions With Medication
To make matters more complicated, caffeine can interact with other medications that are often prescribed prior to your procedure. The interaction can vary depending on the medication, so you should always check with your doctor beforehand. Lowering your caffeine intake the day before can help avoid any potential interactions.
For example, some individuals may be prescribed an antidepressant prior to the procedure; however, caffeine can interfere with the efficacy of some antidepressant medications. The same holds true for antibiotics and some over the counter medications such as antihistamines or cold medicine.
Even if you’re in good health, there’s no guarantee that caffeine won’t impact your colonoscopy preparation. Even the amount of caffeine found in an energy drink can wreak havoc on the delicate balance of liquids and electrolytes you need to successfully accomplish the prep.
The Psychological Impact Of Caffeine
There are psychological considerations to take into account as well. If you’re someone who struggles with anxiety or having a procedure like a colonoscopy can be especially nerve-wracking, the mental ritual of drinking that morning cup of coffee can relax you and make you feel more at ease.
Overall, drinking coffee before a colonoscopy usually isn’t necessarily unhealthy for the average person; however, to avoid any changes in your regular bowel movements or potential interactions with medications, it’s best to avoid coffee and any caffeinated beverages the day before your colonoscopy.
Foods To Avoid Before A Colonoscopy
Though the consumption of certain beverages should be avoided the day before your procedure, there are other foods and drinks that you should excercise caution with as well. While it’s beneficial to drink enough liquids before the procedure, limit your consumption of dairy products and fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods the day before as they can slow down digestion and affect bowel regularity.
Consuming foods that are high in fat, such as fried food, certain nuts and red meat, should also be discouraged as they may cause diverticulitis, an inflammation in the digestive tract that can cause GI discomfort.
Avoiding foods that are usually high in sugar, such as candy, cookies, cake, ice cream and other processed snacks is prudent because high sugar levels can lag your digestion and increase bloating and gas.
If you’re unsure of what you should and shouldn’t eat the day before your procedure, it’s best to talk to your doctor or gastroenterologist.
Alcoholic Drinks
Avoid alcoholic beverages – even if they’re light – as they can affect your GPA scores, which are a measure of potential alcohol-related health problems. Additionally, consuming large amounts of alcohol puts you at a higher risk of dying from a heart attack. Moderation is key, so limit yourself to one or two drinks.
Alcohol can also interfere with the metabolism of other substances, and the day before a colonoscopy, your body needs all the help it can get to stabilize your digestion. Therefore, avoiding alcoholic beverages is the best way to ensure that your body functions optimally.
Supplements And Herbal Remedies
While colonoscopies are generally considered safe procedures, there are certain supplements and herbal remedies that should be avoided. There are a few natural remedies that can interact with the medicines your doctor may have given you or interfere with the prescription regimen you follow. These include ginseng, saw palmetto, garlic and taken orally probiotics.
It’s best to avoid these supplements and herbal remedies the day before so they don’t interfere with the effectiveness of your medicine. You should also inform your doctor of any vitamins or medications you’re taking prior to your procedure. Doing so not only helps your doctor take the necessary precautions but will also help them determine the best colonoscopy preparation for you.
Conclusion
Prepping for a colonoscopy can be challenging and requires you to adhere to a strict diet the day before. While an occasional cup of coffee isn’t usually harmful for a healthy person, it’s best to avoid caffeine and other drinks in order to have a successful procedure.
Limiting the consumption of dairy products, fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, foods with high fat content and sugar-rich processed snacks, as well as alcoholic beverages and supplements and herbal remedies, is also recommended. However, it’s always beneficial to ask your doctor or gastroenterologist what to eat the day before to ensure that you have a successful procedure.
