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Preparations For Colonoscopy Exams Are Now Slightly Less Distasteful

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Encouraging people to get a colonoscopy can be difficult; not because of the procedure but due to the preparation required.

The colon must be clean for doctors to see polyps during the colonoscopy and that requires taking something to clean out the system. Dr. David Kastenberg associate professor of medicine at Thomas Jefferson University says you used to have to drink four-liters of liquid the night before the procedure, and the liquid's taste can be unpleasant.

Now doctors prescribe one liter at night, another the morning of the procedure.

"Another option is to take the whole preparation on the morning of the colonoscopy. The advantage of that is you don't have any interference with your sleep the night before or your work or whatever you're doing."

He says there are unflavored pills you can take, but you'll need to swallow 32 of them and they are not recommended for people with certain health issues.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio 1060

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