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How to Tell If Your Bowel is Clean Prior to Colonoscopy
| Stool Color | Description | Readiness |
|---|---|---|
 | Dark, thick, particles | NOT READY |
 | Brown, thick, particles | NOT READY |
 | Dark orange, semi- clear | NOT READY |
 | Light orange, mostly clear | ALMOST READY |
 | Yellow, light, clear | READY |
How can you tell if your colon is clean and ready for a colonoscopy?
Your stool after finishing your bowel prep agent can act as a guide. Your stool should be clear, yellow, light and liquid.
The presence of dark particles or thick brown or black stool means you are not ready for colonoscopy.
If your stool is not clear after taking your entire bowel prep agent, you may need additional prep agent. Contact your physician if your stool is still brown or has dark particles hours after finishing your bowel cleansing agent.
No two persons are the same. Diseases, medications and differences in bodily functions affect bowel preparation. Therefore, it takes different times for different individuals.
3 signs you are ready for your colonoscopy
- 1.
Your stool is
clearyellow liquid without dark particles. This means you are ready.If you have not finished your bowel cleansing agent, you should
still finish it as instructed. The intestine continues to produce fecal material so rinse out the colon with the remaining bowel cleansing agent.
- 2. Your stool comes out like an open tap. Place remainder of prep in refrigerator to complete the next morning.
- 3. You feel like having a bowel movement but nothing comes out.
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