Introduction
Coffee is one of the world’s favourite drinks and no doubt a great pick-me-up especially in the morning. Yet, when you’ve just had a colonoscopy, you may be wondering when it’s safe to finally have your desired cup of coffee. Read on to find out when it’s the right time to drink coffee after colonoscopy.
What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure done to examine the inner lining of the large intestine. It’s usually done to look for abnormalities, such as ulcers, tumours or polyps, and also detect conditions like colitis and Crohn’s disease. During a colonoscopy, a doctor will pass a thin tube, outfitted with a camera, through the rectum and large intestine.
Why Wait Before Drinking Coffee?
It’s recommended you wait 24 hours to a full 48 hours before consuming beverages with caffeine, such as coffee, after a colonoscopy. The reason why you should wait is because coffee (as well as anything with caffeine) is a mild diuretic which helps the body rid itself of water. When your body has been deprived of water due to the colonoscopy’s laxatives, it’s important to let it replenish itself before caffeinating.
Medical Recommendations
Before a colonoscopy, most patients are instructed to prepare by not eating solids and to limit liquids to mainly water and clear liquids. Thus, it’s probably likely that the patient will have consumed less caffeine than usual. This makes waiting 48 hours to enjoy coffee even more important to give your body the time it needs to repair and restore its water balance.
Moreover, it’s important to talk to a doctor before consuming coffee or anything with caffeine after a colonoscopy. If you’re under any special instructions about drinking liquids, or if your doctor has given any sort of replacement therapy, confirm that it’s ok to drink coffee before proceeding.
Well-Being Guidelines
It’s true that coffee contains antioxidants and its own set of health benefits. Yet, when you’re coming off a medical procedure, it’s important to pay attention to how coffee makes you feel. It’s likely to take just a little longer before you feel back to “normal” and as you reintroduce coffee, it’s important to keep an eye on how it makes your body feel.
After a colonoscopy, it’s best to stick to decaffeinated coffee or tea if at all possible since they’re not as likely to upset your stomach. However, if the craving strikes, have a small cup and notice how it makes you feel. If you feel any abdominal pain or cramps, dizziness, nauseousness, or any other type of discomfort, it’s better to avoid it altogether.
Usual symptoms like having occasional fast or erratic heartbeats, headaches, or anxiety may also be an indication for cutting back on the coffee intake.
Benefits of Decaf Coffee and Tea
If the craving for coffee is worrying you, you can still opt for decaffeinated options, such as decaf coffee and herbal tea. Decaf contains about 3% of the original caffeine content, which is around 5 mg per cup, which is way less than a regular cup. Sounds like a compromise, right?
Decaffeinated beverages are still packed with flavor and especially beneficial antioxidants, so they can still be a great asset to your daily health routine. Plus, they’re a great alternative to get yourself in the habit of drinking more fluids without worrying about the side effects of the caffeine rush.
Bottom Line
Understanding when it’s safe to drink coffee after colonoscopy is essential if you’re a regular coffee drinker. Since caffeine has a diuretic effect on the body, it’s important to wait 24-48 hours after a colonoscopy to enjoy your regular cup of coffee or to choose a decaffeinated option.
It’s also important to talk to your doctor before consumption and to pay attention to how the coffee makes you feel.It’s better to wait, hydrate and replenish before caffeinating to support your body’s natural process to regain its balance after a colonoscopy.
