digestive disorders
Endoscopy
Preparation
Before having any endoscopic procedure, a person must avoid food for 8 hours and avoid liquids for 2 to 4 hours. Food in the stomach can block the doctor’s view and might be vomited up during the procedure. Before having an endoscope passed into the rectum and colon, a person usually is given laxatives and is sometimes given enemas to clear out any stool. For some procedures, people may need to consume only liquids (such as gelatin or broth) the day before the procedure. Immediately before most endoscopic procedures, people are given medications by vein (intravenously) to calm them and prevent discomfort (sedation). Typically, no sedation is needed for anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. 