Health

When do NHS hospitals tell people to stop eating solid food before a colonoscopy? It varies a lot. This page is part of my series on NHS colonoscopy preparation instructions. Is stopping food earlier really necessary? A UK survey found no clear link between longer fasting and better bowel cleansing. A randomised trial found that…

Published NHS patient instructions grouped by when they say to start a low-fibre or low-residue diet before colonoscopy. Guidelines and research evidence European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline (2019) – recommends a low-fibre diet on the day preceding colonoscopy. Endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology. Systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) – five randomised…

I recently had a colonoscopy. I found the procedure itself easy and stress-free (I accepted the sedation I was offered). By contrast, I found the diet and fasting I was asked to follow beforehand both practically and emotionally difficult. This prompted me to query the guidance I was given, to look at the evidence base…

I planned to experiment with basil in porridge this morning, but I decided the leftover basil was too wilted whereas I had some leftover fresh coriander which still had life in it. So, yes ladies & gentlemen, this morning I bring you my experiment with coriander porridge. (See my intro post to this series if…

Do you wake up in the night and struggle to get back to sleep? I’ve struggled with that for a long time. Lately, I’ve been doing a bit better and am feeling a lot healthier as a result. I know that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for others, but I thought I’d…