Preparation for an abdominal ultrasound is an important part of the examination itself. This section of the human body contains many extremely important life support elements.
In medicine, the abdominal cavity is usually called the space under the diaphragm, in which the following organs are located:
- stomach - part of the digestive system;
- the liver is the most important filtering organ;
- intestine - an organ of both the digestive and excretory systems of the body;
- gallbladder – a small pear-shaped “pouch”;
- the spleen is the largest lymphoid organ of the parenchymal structure;
- kidneys - a paired organ of the excretory system, similar in shape to beans;
- adrenal glands - endocrine glands located in pairs above the upper part of the kidneys;
- the uterus and appendages in women are part of the complex reproductive system in women;
- The inferior vena cava, together with the abdominal aorta, kidneys and adrenal glands, are located in the retroperitoneal space.
Important! A routine preventative examination of the abdominal organs is recommended for all patients annually.
The main diagnostic method used to identify diseases of the abdominal organs remains ultrasound.
Indications
But there are indications for which the doctor will prescribe an unscheduled ultrasound:
- Constant feeling of bitterness in the mouth.
- Feeling of a full stomach, even if you want to eat.
- Pain and discomfort in the abdominal area.
- Increased gas formation.
- Frequent and prolonged hiccups.
- Weight loss not related to malnutrition .
- Hypertension.
- Hepatitis.
- Suspicion of cancer.
- Feeling of heaviness in the hypochondrium.
Who is indicated for sigmoidoscopy?
The patient is prescribed to undergo a sigmoidoscopy examination if the following pathologies and diseases are detected:
- Pain in the large intestine.
- Presence of bleeding.
- For hemorrhoids and inflammatory processes.
- If there is a suspicion of a tumor.
- If mucous and purulent discharge from the anus is detected.
The rectal examination procedure should not be performed on the day of the appointment by the attending physician, as the patient should prepare.
Preparation
An abdominal ultrasound is one of those types of examinations for which you need to prepare. This preparation is necessary and includes, for example, a certain diet and a number of other measures: all rules play an important role in the informativeness of the study. Before an abdominal ultrasound, important requirements and recommendations must be observed.
Three days before ultrasound
3 days before the scheduled procedure, you need to change your diet and switch to split meals: eat small portions every 3 hours. Be sure to drink water or tea about 1.5 liters per day. What should you not eat before the test? Completely exclude from the menu products that enhance gas formation processes. Which? These are, first of all, yeast-containing products, fruits, peas and beans, soda, fatty protein dishes, alcoholic drinks, milk, juices, cabbage and grapes.
What can you eat before an abdominal ultrasound? Boiled, baked or steamed vegetables, cereals, and soups are allowed for consumption. Lean meat, lean fish, light cheese, boiled egg are allowed If there is a tendency to increased gas formation, it is better to drink adsorbents (“Espumizan”, “Simethicone”, “Enterosgel”, activated carbon: how to take them can be found in the instructions for the drugs).
To prevent flatulence, the doctor may recommend enzyme preparations : “Festal”, “Mezim” or “Pancreatin”.
Evening before the test
How long do you not eat before the ultrasound? A light dinner on the eve of the examination should be completed before 20.00 . You should not include fish and meat dishes, even low-fat ones. If the patient is prone to constipation, a single use of a laxative is recommended (take Senade, Fitolax, Microlax, Fortrans and others). If laxatives are ineffective, the day before the ultrasound the patient is prescribed a cleansing enema.
Day of procedure
If an ultrasound is performed in the morning, it is better to do it on an empty stomach. If the procedure is planned in the afternoon, then breakfast should be light and should be completed before 11.00 . A couple of hours before the planned test, you need to take Simethicone (or Espumisan) emulsion or 2 capsules of the drug. You can replace it with 6-10 carbon tablets or Filtrum. In the morning before the procedure, an additional enema may be needed if a tendency to flatulence has already been noted.
Preparation with Microlax for colonoscopy
Microlax is a laxative drug that has a mild laxative effect, promoting painless and rapid excretion of feces. The main components of the drug Microlax are sodium citrate and sorbitol.
The product is equipped with special tubes with tips for unhindered introduction into the rectal lumen and subsequent injection. One package contains 4 microenemas. 1 tube - 5 ml of medicinal liquid.
You can administer enemas yourself, which is convenient for preparing for a colonoscopy at home. After injection of the composition, the intestinal response occurs within 10-20 minutes, which depends on age, condition of the rectum and the amount of congestion.
The product causes defecation in 5–20 minutes, depending on the individual characteristics of the person due to the combined composition, which should be familiarized with before use.
Rules of application
Microlax microenemas are indicated for poor tolerability of oral medications, as well as for contraindications to traditional enema cleansing. In order to properly and fully prepare for a colonoscopy, you should use the entire package of laxative medication, namely, give 4 enemas with an interval of 60 minutes.
The procedure is as follows:
- Before use, you should perform thorough hygiene of the perianal area and wash your hands. Then take the tube, remove the protective seal on the tip and squeeze out a little product to provide lubrication.
- The microenema pipette itself should be in a vertical position. After depressurizing the tube, you need to squat down and carefully insert the tip into the rectal lumen. The drug is injected with a sharp movement (one or more).
- After administering the product, it is necessary to squeeze the anal sphincter muscles as much as possible, insert a cotton swab and lie down for 10-15 minutes until the first urge to defecate.
A lying position is necessary for better distribution of the medicinal composition throughout the rectum. Ideally, the pelvis should be raised above the couch by placing a bolster.
Having a colonoscopy in the morning
If the colonoscopy is scheduled for the morning, then the first stage of cleansing is carried out the night before. At 19-20 hours, the first two enemas are administered with an interval of 30-60 minutes. The second stage begins in the morning of the day. You need to get up early and perform cleansing procedures with the remaining two tubes.
It is important that cleansing is carried out 3-4 hours before the procedure.
You cannot eat in the morning, and the last meal should be no later than 18.00 the previous evening. If you have a strong feeling of hunger, you can drink rich berry jelly or unsweetened compote. Read more about what to drink before a colonoscopy in this article.
Colonoscopy in the evening
If the diagnostic and treatment procedure is scheduled for the afternoon or evening, then the final cleansing is carried out directly on the day of the procedure.
In the morning they have breakfast with slimy porridge and drink green tea without sugar. 5 hours before the procedure, the intestines are intensively cleansed. You can use 4 enemas at once with an interval of 30 minutes, periodically observing bed rest.
It is important that the last bowel movement occurs several hours before the colonoscopy.
The drug Microlax has one significant drawback - limitation in use. Thus, the product is ideal for people without problems with bowel movements, against the background of stable, formed stools. Widely used in pediatric practice, especially before minimally invasive research methods and surgery.
If there is chronic constipation, suspicion of fecal stones, or a burdened clinical history in the intestinal tract, then the use of only Microlax microenemas will be insufficient. In such cases, doctors offer an alternative medicinal cleansing or an additional traditional enema using an Esmarch mug. Find out how to prepare for an intestinal colonoscopy at home with an enema here.
How to prepare for a retroperitoneal examination
Preparing to examine the space from the diaphragm to the pelvis includes the same preparations as those taken before examining the abdominal cavity. The only caveat: if the examination program includes the bladder, then some time before the ultrasound you will need to drink half a liter of clean water and not empty your bladder before the examination.
Important! If the procedure will be carried out in a budget clinic, take with you a diaper to lay on the couch, and napkins to remove excess conductive gel.
If an ultrasound is planned in a private medical center, then, most likely, a diaper and napkins are included in the cost of the examination.
Before the procedure you will have to refuse :
- smoking, including electronic cigarettes (smoking is strictly prohibited) ;
- chewing gum, as well as sucking mint tablets or lozenges;
- taking antispasmodics;
- drinking strong tea and coffee.
The procedure for ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract will have to be postponed if 2-3 days before it the following were carried out:
- fluoroscopy with contrast;
- colonoscopy or fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- laparoscopy;
- pneumoperitoneum.
The purpose of drug preparation for abdominal ultrasound
In the presence of diseases of the digestive system, a large amount of gases is formed in the intestines. Flatulence can also bother relatively healthy people after eating certain foods. Gases interfere with ultrasound imaging, so they need to be eliminated.
Following a special diet aimed at unloading the digestive system does not always give the desired result. Medications help to significantly improve the quality of research to establish an accurate diagnosis. Taking any medications must be agreed with your doctor. It is necessary to take into account the patient’s health status and his complaints regarding his well-being.
How do they do it?
How is the procedure done? Before starting the examination of the abdominal organs (as in the case of diagnosing the vessels of this section), the patient lies down on the couch, usually on his back (less often on his side) and exposes the area being examined. The doctor applies a conductive gel to the patient’s skin and uses a sensor to examine the necessary organs. The procedure takes about half an hour and does not cause any discomfort to the patient.
Video
How is an abdominal ultrasound performed? You can learn about this from the video below.
Cleansing
If the patient has a tendency to constipation, it is necessary to take a natural laxative a day before the examination or use suppositories to enhance intestinal motility. If such therapy does not bring results, you can use an enema 12 hours before an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. It is advisable to do the enema in the evening before the examination. To do this, you need to prepare an Esmarch mug, into which you pour three liters of cool boiled water. After cleansing, it is recommended to take adsorbents or Simethicone. You can replace the enema with herbal laxatives:
- Senade: 1 tablet
- Fortrans: dissolve the sachet in water and drink at least three hours before the examination. It is recommended to take 1 sachet for every 20 kg of weight
- Microclysters: Norgalax or Microlax
Reviews on preparation for sigmoidoscopy with Microlax
This is not a very pleasant procedure, but sometimes it is simply a necessary procedure. Patients report that with proper preliminary preparation and complete relaxation during the process, the examination does not cause severe pain. Only minor discomfort is felt. Reviews about preparation for sigmoidoscopy with Microlax are generally positive. The drug has a gentle effect, is easy to use, and the effect comes quickly. In addition, the product has virtually no contraindications and is well tolerated. Separately, the quite affordable cost of the laxative solution is noted.
We looked at how to use Microlax before sigmoidoscopy.
How to administer a microlax enema correctly
Gas stations are a problem for almost half of the world's population. This gets worse with age. Typically, bowel movements occur from 1-2 times a day to 2-3 times over 7 days. In case of prolonged absence of defecation, the feces are dry, spherical (typical of the spastic type), the fecal weight is less than 40 g, microlax is used.
Composition of Microlax microclusters:
- sodium citric acid salt;
- purified water;
- sodium lauryl sulfoacetate 70%;
- glucitol solution 70%;
- glycerol;
- sorbic acid.
Area of application: any constipation, the need to prepare the intestines for instrumental examination or examination by a proctologist.
Microlax contains active substances from sodium citrate, sorbitol solution, sodium lauryl sulfacetate, as well as auxiliary components - sorbic acid, glycerin, purified water.
Contraindications and side effects from Microlax and regular enema
The drug has a laxative effect due to the following active substances:
- sodium citrate;
- sodium lauryl sulfacetate;
- sorbitol solution.
The therapeutic effect is observed 5-15 minutes after microlysis. The components of the drug soften feces, stimulating the flow of water into the intestines so that bowel movements are gentle.
An Esmarck cup is required to administer the enema. The water is collected and suspended in it so that the liquid is injected into the body under the influence of gravity. The injection process takes several minutes. To soften and remove the excrement of the injected fluid from the body, it is recommended to soak the water for about 10 minutes.
In some cases, one enema is not enough and it is necessary to repeat the bowel cleansing.
Regardless of the method of bowel cleansing, frequent enemas are prohibited. If this rule is ignored, then laziness syndrome can become a complication.
A regular enema should not be used frequently, since the microflora is constantly washed out.
You should not frequently insert an enema, since the microflora is constantly washed out. Not only feces are removed from the body, but also bacteria necessary for normal functioning. This can lead to increased gas formation and inflammation of the mucous membrane.
A contraindication to the use of the drug Microlax is individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
General contraindications for colon cleansing with a regular enema and microlax include:
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- rectal tumors;
- abdominal pain of unknown etiology;
- acute hemorrhoids;
- rectal prolapse;
- erosive ulcerative lesions of the colon mucosa.
pharmachologic effect
Microlax is a combined laxative. Used rectally in adult patients and children. The drug contains several active components that complement the effect on the body and effectively soften the stool, which facilitates bowel movement.
- Sorbitol improves the process of penetration of water into the intestinal lumen, increases the volume of feces, makes them softer and indirectly affects the receptors of the intestinal mucosa. This stimulates peristalsis and makes bowel movements noticeably easier.
- Sodium lauryl sulfacetate effectively dilutes the intestinal contents.
- Sodium citrate displaces the water found in human excrement.
By displacing bound fluid from feces and helping to increase the flow of water into the intestines, the drug significantly facilitates the process of defecation in people suffering from constipation, makes defecation easier for hemorrhoids, etc.
What is better - Microlax or enema?
The advantage of Microlax is that the drug is allowed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it acts locally. There are no contraindications for use in infants and newborns.
Another advantage of minicilism is that, unlike regular minicilism, there is no need to introduce large amounts of liquid into the body, so the drug can be placed without assistance. You can do a normal enema at home yourself, but it is difficult to perform such an operation without the appropriate skills.
Unlike Microlax, a regular enema should not be given frequently.
How to prepare for recteromanoscopy using Microlax?
Before using the medicine, you must thoroughly wash your hands and clean the surface of the skin around the anus. Next, taking one of the enemas in your hands, you need to carefully remove the seal located on the tip and carefully press on the walls of the tube until droplets of liquid are released. The pipette should be in a vertical position.
After the tube is depressurized, you should squat down and insert the enema tip inside. Then, in one sharp movement, a special solution is injected into the intestinal area. To make inserting the pipette into the hole more comfortable, lubricate the tip with a drop of the same drug. Additional recommendations can be obtained from your treating specialist.
Medications for colon cleansing
In addition to following a diet, laxatives are used to rid the intestines of toxins and gases. For example, an effective remedy for bowel movement is Fortrans, Forlax, Lavacol, Tranzipeg. All of these drugs contain macrogol as an active ingredient.
Osmotic laxatives
Macrogol retains water, which makes stool more liquid and easier to eliminate.
Preparations containing lactulose can also be used for this purpose. These include Duphalac, Evict, Lactulose-Teva, Goodluck, Normaze, Livolyuk-PB, Portalac. The preparations have the consistency of syrup. Drugs are prescribed in age and weight dosages. Lactulose stimulates intestinal motility and significantly increases the volume of intestinal contents. In addition, lactulose-based drugs have prebiotic properties.
To reduce gas formation processes, drugs based on simethicone are used: Espumisan, Unienzyme MP, for children - Bobotik, Subsimplex. You can reduce the manifestations of flatulence with the help of enterosorbent drugs: Enterosgel, Enterodes, Polysorb MP, Activated carbon, Filtrum Sti and others.
Contraindications for use
According to experts, the medication can be used by nursing and pregnant women, and for infants. This is possible due to the fact that the active components of Microlax are not absorbed and do not penetrate into the bloodstream. However, it is recommended to discuss the use of the drug with your doctor.
The main contraindication to the use of the drug is increased hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In this case, the patient is recommended to use another medicine that has similar properties and a different composition.
It is strictly prohibited to use the medicinal solution if its expiration date has expired or the integrity of the polymer packaging has been compromised.
How do you prepare for sigmoidoscopy with Microlax if the procedure is in the morning?
