April 26th, 2009 by hanun

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the United States, around 1000 patients die each day from complications of cancer. Approximately 2.4 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with the dreaded disease in 2007. The exact cause of cancer is unknown. It is only characterized by the abnormal cell division and growth. Genetics, exposure to chemicals and lifestyle are just some of the risk factors in cancer.

Colon cancer is a particular cancer in which the primary affected area is the colon. Many studies showed that people with colon cancer are those who have been smoking, drinking excessively, suffers from inflammatory bowel disease and are obese. Regular colon cancer screenings should be accomplished if you are considered to be at risk. This kinds of screenings can help you fight against any kind of colon cancer that might decide to rear its ugly head. It’s important to take care of the matter before it becomes too much of a problem.

If you are exhibiting the following colon cancer symptoms, you should be evaluated for colorectal cancer at once.

1. Irregular bowel movements: you could have less or more bowel movements if you have colon cancer. You can even experience constipation more often. This is because the tumor in your colon is already obstructing the regular flow of your bowel.

2. Stomach Cramps- due to bowel obstruction, you will feel stomach cramps and sometimes even bloating. As the tumor grows bigger, it could actually be perforating the bowel wall causing pain and discomfort.

3. Bloody Stool- you might observe bleeding in your bowel. Sometimes the blood will be present in a very small amount and not be noticed. But there are also cases, where the stool is really bloody. A fecal occult blood test can confirm presence of blood in your stool.

4. Unexplained weight loss- one of the classic sign of cancer is weight loss. If you are losing weight even if you are not trying, you should ask your doctor.

5. Fatigue- another colon cancer symptom to look out for is unexplained tiredness. Some experts link this symptom to anemia or iron deficiency. To be sure, you should have your blood checked.

6. Nausea and vomiting- because of the tumor in your colon area, you might feel nauseous and even vomit for no apparent reason.

7. Gassy- obstruction of the colon by a tumor causes air to be trapped.

Diagnosing colon cancer can be done in a number of ways. Your doctor could perform a digital rectal exam to check for abnormal areas in your rectum. Another way is to take endoscopic images of your colon. This is done by inserting a lighted device in you rectum and images are transmitted to a monitor. This is a very accurate test and could also differentiate between a polyp and a tumor growth.

If detected early, colon cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The key is early diagnosis. Chances for survival are higher for people who are diagnosed at the early stages of colon cancer. This is the reason why you should be evaluated or screened by a cancer expert especially if you are exhibiting classic colon cancer symptoms.

April 25th, 2009 by hanun

We’ve all heard about the wonderful effects of colon cleansing, but before you go in search of the best colon cleanser, you must understand the reasons for colon cleansing and how it works. First, colon cleansing has two main functions: to absorb excess water to level out the amount of electrolytes in your body, and to expel toxic waste from the body. When feces build up in the intestines, a buildup of bacteria can cause toxins to release into the body, which can be extremely harmful and not only cause large amounts of discomfort, but also poor health and loss of energy.

There are basically two different types of colon cleansing. The first is medicated, in which an over-the-counter product or prescription treatment is used. These colon cleansers usually come in the form of liquids, capsules, powders, enemas, and even teas. The second type of treatment is by natural colon cleansers. There are many recipes that discuss the main foods and herbs that will results in a colon cleanse. Many of these come in the form of drinks made from a blend of fruits and vegetables.

Colon irrigation method- Colon irrigation is often compared to an enema probably due to the fact that in both methods water is pumped into the colon area via the anus, by means of a pump. Up to twenty Gallons of water combined with herbs, probiotics or enzymes may be used along with massaging techniques to flush fluids and residue from the stomach. The method is painful, not to mention embarrassing and can possibly cost you an arm and a leg.

You may want to try a natural recipe for colon cleanse. There are a variety of recipes you can choose from, but you must be aware that some recipes are untested by health professionals and may be unhealthy to use, or should only be used on a semi-regular basis. If you find a colon cleanse recipe you feel might be right for you, take it to your doctor to get the “okay” before you begin to use it. Some popular ingredients for colon cleansers are aloe leaves (which are an excellent form of laxative) and flax seed, which is a great source of fiber. Fruit and vegetable diets are also very popular, and tend to be a long-standing favorite. The kidneys and liver get a mild cleanse from toxins due to the natural, raw diet. The fruit and vegetable diet dictates that one should eat nothing but fruits and vegetables three times a day for three consistent days. You are allowed to drink only water, and it is recommended that you drink the usual eight glasses per day. As this diet consists of nothing but natural fruits and veggies, it is safe to use for the directed three days. The use of this diet for longer than three days will result in a lack of protein (such as meat or nuts), therefore it is not recommended that you use this diet for more than three consistent days without discussing it with your doctor.

April 25th, 2009 by hanun

Your colon, or large intestine, is the main hub of your digestive tract. Keeping your colon healthy, helps strengthen your body’s immune system and helps prevent colon cancer.

Your colon has three main functions: the final digestion of food, eliminating digestive residue and discharging toxins and wastes from your body. This accounts for seventy percent of your entire immune system, which makes your colon’s health central to your overall well-being.

When your colon is clean and functioning normally, you experience good health and the well-being that comes with it. When your colon gets congested, stagnant wastes build up only to send poisons back up into your system, polluting your inner environment.

A good and balanced diet, helpful supplements, proper exercise, adequate rest and stress relief all contribute to your colon’s (and therefore your) overall health and well-being. But improper diet, insufficient exercise, stress, overeating and ignoring “the call of nature” can all lead to bowel problems.

Foods like meat, dairy and processed flour make it difficult for the colon to do its job. When fermented waste combines with the body’s own bile acids from the liver, carcinogens can form, which can ultimately develop into colon or rectal cancers– the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world.

Physicians recommend screening for colon cancer after the age of 50. Even healthy individuals with no history of colon cancer, colon polyps, other bowel problems or bleeding should have a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. The procedure is used to look for early signs of colorectal cancer and can help doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss.

Most of us know from experience that an unhappy colon makes it very difficult for us to enjoy life fully. So take care of your colon and it will take care of you.