Colonoscopy Prep Tips for Crohn’s Disease
Crohn's DiseaseTaking Control of Crohn’s

How to Prepare for a Routine Colonoscopy for Crohn’s

How to Prepare for a Routine Colonoscopy for Crohn’s
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock; iStock
By
Updated on February 19, 2026
by
If you have Crohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you’re probably more familiar than you’d like to be with colonoscopies, visual exams that are used to check the colon and rectum for polyps and other abnormal tissues. Chances are, your doctor used this to diagnose you with Crohn’s and determine its severity, says Heba Iskandar, MD, director of IBD clinical research at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.

During the exam, a long, flexible tube with a camera attached to it is inserted into the rectum to allow a doctor to look at the inside of the colon. If necessary, tools passed through the scope can be used to remove polyps or other tissues.

After your initial diagnosis, you’ll probably need colonoscopies approximately every one to three years to monitor, treat, and manage the disease, says Jessica Philpott, MD, PhD, a gastroenterologist at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Cleveland Clinic. The exact timetable will depend on how long you’ve had Crohn’s, how much of your colon is involved, and how active your Crohn’s is.

While there’s no denying the importance of a colonoscopy, the process can take some getting used to. Here are a few reasons your doctor may order the exam, plus ways to make the experience a little easier.

How Colonoscopies Can Help Manage Crohn’s Disease

The average digestive tract is about 30 feet long, and Crohn’s can develop anywhere in it, from the mouth to the anus. There can also be differing levels of severity, but the most common form is ileocolitis: inflammation of the colon and the ileum, the part of the small intestine right above the colon.

Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to:

  • Treat complications of Crohn’s: “Some patients with Crohn’s develop strictures, or narrowing of the colon, and this can be treated by dilating the stricture [with an instrument called an endoscope],” says Dr. Philpott.

  • Check for other abnormal growths or precancerous changes in polyps: This is especially important for people with Crohn’s who’ve had extensive involvement of their colon over a long period of time, because they have an increased risk of colon cancer.

  • Monitor your progress after a procedure or after starting a new medication: About 6 to 12 months after surgical procedures such as stricture dilation, biopsy, or resection (removal of tissue), or after starting a new medication, your doctor will want you to get a follow-up colonoscopy to see how you’re healing. If things look good, most doctors recommend a colonoscopy every one to three years afterward for monitoring.

Ways to Prepare for Your Colonoscopy

Use these tips to make the colonoscopy process easier.

Educate Yourself

Philpott stresses the importance of being an informed healthcare consumer. The more you know about your condition and the procedure in advance, the easier it will be for you and your doctor.

Rely on resources from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and the American Gastroenterological Association for more information about Crohn’s, your treatment options, and the procedures you may be undergoing, such as a colonoscopy.

Know Your Prep

“A good colonoscopy preparation is very important so that your gastroenterologist can clearly see the intestinal lining and monitor for things like inflammation, complications, or precancerous cells,” Dr. Iskandar says. It’s critical to follow your doctor’s prep instructions exactly.

You may be asked to follow a low-fiber diet the week before the procedure, and a clear-liquid diet the day before; you might also be asked to alter how you take certain medications. The evening before the procedure, you’ll be asked to drink a laxative that may have an unpleasant taste to clear out your colon — sometimes this is taken in two doses, with the second dose typically ingested four to six hours before the procedure.

If prep for a previous colonoscopy didn’t completely empty your bowels, or if you regularly have constipation, you may need to do an extended version of the prep routine.

Other forms of prep include pills or over-the-counter laxatives.

 As you get more colonoscopies, notice how you respond to prep. Some people find that they do better with one method versus another, Philpott says. “This is another example of why communicating with your provider in advance is so important.”

Communicate With Your Doctor

Communication with your doctor is key. “I recommend having a frank discussion with your doctor,” Iskandar says. Share any concerns you may have before the procedure. For example, “If your Crohn’s is active and you’re experiencing nausea, you may have a hard time taking the preparation,” says Philpott. “Communicate that to your doctor so you can receive antinausea medicine or discuss a way to drink the prep more slowly.”

Make Arrangements to Get Home

You should have a friend or family member accompany you, or arrange for someone else to help get you home after the procedure. You won’t be allowed to drive after being sedated, nor can you leave alone.

What to Expect After a Colonoscopy

In most cases, here’s what you can expect once the procedure’s over and you’re back at home.

Avoid Activities for 24 Hours After the Procedure

As with any procedure that involves sedation with anesthesia, Philpott and Iskandar say to avoid any activities for 24 hours that require you to be in an unaltered state of mind. This includes driving or operating any heavy or dangerous machinery, climbing high ladders, and even signing important documents or contracts. They also advise against drinking alcohol during the same 24-hour period. “Expect to rest the day of the procedure and not work,” Iskandar says.

Avoid Gassy or Irritating Foods Right After a Colonoscopy

According to Philpott, most people feel fine after the procedure and can go right back to eating normal foods. But she advises avoiding any gassy, high-fiber foods for a day or two.

“Gassy foods won’t injure you, but they might make you uncomfortable, because you’re going to have a little gas after the procedure,” she says.

Iskandar says that some mild cramping, gas, and bloating are normal due to the air that enters the colon during the procedure. Altered bowel movements and small streaks of blood right after also aren’t cause for alarm, but if you experience severe pain or bleeding, see your doctor immediately.

Keep Diligent Records Once You Get Home

Maintaining a file of medical care records is key for anyone with a chronic condition. “When people have a colonoscopy, we print out the pictures for them,” says Philpott. “These pictures often aren’t included in electronic medical records.”

A binder with a summary of your medical history, medication list, test results, other records, and images from your colonoscopies can help you understand how your condition has changed over time and will be especially helpful if you switch to a new doctor.

Know That It Gets Easier

If you’ve already been diagnosed with Crohn’s, the good news is that the most challenging colonoscopy you’ll experience is likely already out of the way. “When you have inflammatory bowel disease, your first colonoscopy is often the roughest, because it’s being done while you’re sick,” says Philpott.

Subsequent colonoscopies are often easier, because you’re aware of the process and inflammation and symptoms are being treated. She also says that there isn’t any increased stress to your body from having multiple colonoscopies.

While a colonoscopy may disrupt your routine and require prep beforehand, Iskandar says that it’s essential for successfully managing Crohn’s, reaching remission, and preventing any long-term Crohn’s-related complications.

The Takeaway

  • Regular colonoscopies are necessary for Crohn's disease management to monitor the condition, treat complications, follow up after surgery or medication changes, and check for abnormal growths or precancerous changes.
  • To prepare, people must strictly follow doctor’s instructions, which typically include changing their diet, consuming a laxative fluid that may be split into two doses, and arranging for postprocedure transportation.
  • After the procedure, patients should avoid activities requiring a clear mind for 24 hours, rest the entire day, and avoid irritating or gassy foods for a couple of days.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Colonoscopy. Cleveland Clinic. November 30, 2022.
  2. Tian C et al. Crohn Disease. StatPearls. December 1, 2025.
  3. Digestive System. Cleveland Clinic. October 25, 2024.
  4. Walfish AE et al. Crohn Disease. Merck Manual. April 2025.
  5. Byeon J-S. The Role of Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Advances in Digestive Medicine. August 28, 2025.
  6. Lee KE et al. Post-Operative Prevention and Monitoring of Crohn’s Disease Recurrence. Gastroenterology Report. November 16, 2022.
  7. Preparing for Your Colonoscopy. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. April 12, 2024.
  8. Colonoscopy. American College of Surgeons. July 2021.
  9. The Best and Worst Foods to Eat After a Colonoscopy. Richmond University Medical Center. August 10, 2022.
  10. Colonoscopy. Mayo Clinic. February 6, 2026.
  11. Fatakhova K et al. From Random to Precise: Updated Colon Cancer Screening and Surveillance for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology. April 30, 2024.
  12. González Lama Y. Endoscopy in the Follow-Up of Crohn’s Disease. Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. October 1, 2023.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

See full bio
elizabeth-yun-bio

Elizabeth Yun

Author

Elizabeth Yun has been a writer and editor for over 15 years. Over the course of her career she has covered lifestyle, celebrity entertainment, and tech for a variety of print and digital publications, but her passion is fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Her writing has appeared in Men's Journal, Jenny Craig, Muscle & Fitness, and HuffPost.

She spends the majority of her free time rock climbing, making ceramics, experimenting with new cuisines, and exploring the outdoors. She was raised in New York City but now resides in San Francisco, CA.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network