Colonoscopies are a necessary, yet unpleasant procedure that many people must go through in order to detect and diagnose a variety of digestive diseases and conditions. Pain relief is an important part of the process for anyone undergoing this potentially uncomfortable experience. The key to what kind of pain relieve to take for a colonoscopy lies in finding the right balance between handling any pain or discomfort, while not impeding the progress of the test itself.
The best way to approach pain relief before and during a colonoscopy is to talk it through with your doctor. Depending on your own personal health needs, they may prescribe an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, both of which will help with minor discomforts such as cramps or bloating throughout the procedure itself. For more serious cases, your doctor may suggest combining this type of medication with a low dose sedative taken orally just before your appointment. This approach helps dull any discomfort you may feel from the initial insertion of the colonoscope and light sedation should still provide you alertness so that you can communicate with your doctor throughout the procedure if necessary.
In most cases though, a combination of over-the-counter medications and natural remedies such as deep breathing exercises and yoga poses can be effective for helping you stay relaxed during this procedure. It’s always important to consult with your doctor before taking anything though, as depending on circumstances drugs like antacids, antidiarrheal medications and laxatives can also be used to help manage symptoms associated with undergoing a colonoscopy too if approved by your health care professional.
