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Is It Okay To Drink Water Before CT Scan?

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Posted on Thu, 4 Apr 2013
Question: I have to have a ct scan at 10 this morning..will it hurt if I drink some water this morning..im so thrusty
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Answered by Dr. Polash Sannigrahi (1 hour later)
Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

Drinking small sips of water to quench your thirst does not have any harmful effect.
In fact, drinking of plain water is advised before a CT scan to maintain adequate hydration.
Because sometimes CT scans involve injection of a contrast agent, or "dye" to visualize certain structures in the body, to make a better diagnosis.
These contrast agents are filtered by kidneys, and passed out in the urine.
Drinking of small sips of water maintains hydration & reduce any risk of damaging the kidneys.

So, you can have small sips of water to quench your thirst.
But avoid caffeinated drinks & please do not eat solid foods for four hours prior to your CT scan.

Wishing you a good health.
Let me know if I need to clarify further.
Thanks & take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan
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Answered by
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Dr. Polash Sannigrahi

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3353 Questions

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Is It Okay To Drink Water Before CT Scan?

Hello XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

Drinking small sips of water to quench your thirst does not have any harmful effect.
In fact, drinking of plain water is advised before a CT scan to maintain adequate hydration.
Because sometimes CT scans involve injection of a contrast agent, or "dye" to visualize certain structures in the body, to make a better diagnosis.
These contrast agents are filtered by kidneys, and passed out in the urine.
Drinking of small sips of water maintains hydration & reduce any risk of damaging the kidneys.

So, you can have small sips of water to quench your thirst.
But avoid caffeinated drinks & please do not eat solid foods for four hours prior to your CT scan.

Wishing you a good health.
Let me know if I need to clarify further.
Thanks & take care.