Easy Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Minnesota

Colorectal cancer is the most preventable major cancer in Minnesota. Colonoscopy is the most effective way to exam the lining of the rectum and colon and removes small polyps before they turn cancerous. It is recommended for the average risk people starting at age 50 and every 10 years after that.

Although more and more people had the colonoscopy in the past decade, many people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas are still behind their schedule based the guideline. The bowel preparation is still the No. 1 barrier to getting a colonoscopy. If patients don’t properly do the bowel preparation, doctors will easily miss the precancerous growth in their colon. An easier prep could improve the colonoscopy screening rates and potentially save lives.

Golytely was the original bowel prep solution which contained MiraLAX (polyethlene glycol or PEG). It requires drinking a full gallon of plain-tasting liquid to induce diarrhea. The GoLytely solution also can have side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Now Gatorade emerged as part of new patient friendly formula for the bowel prep in Minnesota, as it significantly improves the solution taste. Moreover, people who drank a mixture of 64 ounces of Gatorade with MiraLAX experienced less bloating and cramping compared to those who prepped using Golytely. Gatorade helps maintain electrolyte balance.

We have used the Gatorade based formula in Procedure Clinic over the past 5 years, our patients were able to finish it at the rate of almost 100%, and the quality of bowel preparation is much better. Please call us at 952-922-2151 if you have any questions on the colonoscopy bowel prep.