Going to the doctor on an empty stomach not only means avoiding alcohol, but also avoiding food and certain drinks. We will show you which treatment you have to pay attention to.
Before taking blood or other tests, doctors ask you to remain sober. It is recommended not to eat anything eight to twelve hours before the treatment. Depending on the examination, you should pay attention to different things. Going to the doctor on an empty stomach means not only skipping breakfast, but also being careful with drinks and dinner.
You’ve probably wondered why you should come to the doctor on an empty stomach. The reason lies in the correctness of the blood values. Food contains substances that change your blood levels. It is important to be able to detect serious diseases in the blood at an early stage during a routine check and thus be able to prevent them. In this article you will find out how to properly prepare for the examination.
1. To the doctor on an empty stomach: Be careful with dinner
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A hearty dinner tastes delicious, but is still not a good idea before the examination. Eating greasy food like fries, burgers, or pizza the night before can affect your cholesterol levels the next morning. Alcohol and tobacco should also be taboo, because they also falsify your blood values.
We recommend that you have an easily digestible meal for dinner in order to be really sober when you go to the doctor. In the article Stomach-friendly food: Easily digestible food for the stomach, we show you options that you can consider.
These recipes are also good:
- Bulgur stir-fry
- Poke Bowl
- Potato and vegetable pan
2. Pre-exam tips if you need to go to the doctor on an empty stomach
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Sober to the doctor means nothing to eat on the day of the examination. When it comes to drinks, it’s best to stick to still water; Black coffee or unsweetened tea are usually not a problem either. You should avoid juices and milk as well as sugar or sweeteners in coffee.
If your examination is a gastroscopy or an ultrasound examination, stricter rules apply. You should refrain from eating and drinking six hours beforehand. If this is difficult for you, talk to your doctor.
In the case of a colonoscopy, on the other hand, clear drinks such as water, apple spritzer or clear isotonic drinks are permitted. Here, too, it is better to ask what is allowed before the examination.
3. Discuss taking medication beforehand
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / jarmoluk)
If you are taking medication, you should discuss possible discontinuation with your doctor before the examination. It is important not to discontinue or pause the medication on your own.
Even those who have a cold can usually come for a blood test. However, it is better to avoid taking medication to treat the symptoms of a cold. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s better to reschedule the appointment.
Depending on the treatment, the preparation can look different
You should go to the doctor on an empty stomach for the following treatments:
- blood tests
- Ultrasound examination of the abdomen
- Endoscopies such as gastroscopy
- Operation under anesthesia
- Examinations with contrast agents such as computed tomography
As a rule, doctors clarify beforehand what you need to watch out for. If you are unsure, please ask again. The times when you are not allowed to eat may vary depending on the exam.
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- Nutrient deficiency: how to recognize it and what you can do about it
- Preventing a cold: How to stay healthy
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