Methods and Compositions for Bowel Cleansing Before a Medical Procedure

Abstract

Described are kits, food compositions and methods for cleaning the bowel, e.g., in preparation for a medical procedure, e.g., a diagnostic or treatment procedure, such as an endoscopic or surgical procedure, or radiologic imaging such as CT colography.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 a solid food item comprising:
 a laxative; and 
   one or more food ingredients;   wherein the laxative is mixed together with the one or more food ingredients thus forming the solid food item with the laxative mixed therein; and   wherein a sufficient amount of the solid food item ingested by an individual prepares the bowel of the individual for a medical or surgical procedure by producing a watery yellow stool with a light yellow effluent in the individual.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item comprises a shelf stable form. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item comprises a meal. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item comprises a low residue food. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item comprises a total of 0-6 g fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item comprises a total of 0.3-15 g Total Fats; 0-150 mg Cholesterol; 100-500 g of carbohydrates and 10-80 g of protein. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the medical or surgical procedure is selected from the group consisting of colonoscopy, intestinal surgery, virtual colography, and barium studies. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid food item provides a delivery vehicle for the laxative agent. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition eliminates or reduces side effects associated with administering to the subject food and laxative separately. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the side effects comprise one or more of dizziness, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and taste fatigue. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the laxative is provided in an amount sufficient to induce the presence of the watery yellow stools with the light yellow effluent within about 6-8 hours after ingestion of the solid food item by the individual. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 providing to an individual a solid food item comprising at least one food ingredient mixed together with at least one laxative; and   wherein a sufficient amount of the solid food item ingested by an individual prepares the bowel of the individual for a medical or surgical procedure by producing a watery yellow stool with a light yellow effluent in the individual.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solid food item comprises a low residue food. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solid food item comprises a total of 0-6 g fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solid food item comprises a total of 0.3-15 g Total Fats; 0-150 mg Cholesterol; 100-500 g of carbohydrates and 10-80 g of protein. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the medical or surgical procedure is selected from the group consisting of colonoscopy, intestinal surgery, virtual colography, and barium studies. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solid food item provides a delivery vehicle for the laxative agent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method eliminates or reduces side effects associated with administering to the subject food and laxative separately. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the side effects comprise one or more of dizziness, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and taste fatigue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the laxative is provided in an amount sufficient to induce the presence of the watery yellow stools with the light yellow effluent within about 6-8 hours after ingestion of the solid food item by the individual. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method does not include whole bowel irrigation. 
     
     
         22 . A kit comprising:
 one or more solid food items, wherein the one or more solid food items comprise at least one food ingredient mixed together with at least one laxative; and   wherein a sufficient amount of the solid food item ingested by an individual prepares the bowel of the individual for a medical or surgical procedure by producing a watery yellow stool with a light yellow effluent in the individual.   
     
     
         23 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more solid food items comprise a low residue food. 
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more solid food items comprise a total of 0-6 g fiber. 
     
     
         25 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more solid food items comprise a total of 0.3-15 g Total Fats; 0-150 mg Cholesterol; 100-500 g of carbohydrates and 10-80 g of protein. 
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the medical or surgical procedure is selected from the group consisting of colonoscopy, intestinal surgery, virtual colography, and barium studies. 
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more solid food items provide a delivery vehicle for the laxative agent. 
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the kit eliminates or reduces side effects associated with administering to the subject food and laxative separately. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28 , wherein the side effects comprise one or more of dizziness, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, and taste fatigue. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 22 , wherein the laxative is provided in an amount sufficient to induce the presence of the watery yellow stools with the light yellow effluent within about 6-8 hours after ingestion of the solid food item by the individual.