HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in the USA with equal distribution between men and women. Colon cancer usually affects people over the age of 40, with the majority of people who are diagnosed with the condition being over 60 years of age. Colon cancer may affect any racial or ethnic group; however, some studies suggest that Americans of northern European heritage have a higher-than-average risk of colon cancer.

INCIDENCE

Colon cancer is more common in industrialized nations and in those societies where red meat is a major part of the diet, although evidence tends to suggest that merely changing your diet to white meat and seafood as in for instance Japan, tends to just swap stomach cancer for colon cancer. In almost all cases colon cancer is a treatable disease if caught early.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Colon cancer usually begins with the growth of benign growths such as polyps. Often there are no early symptoms. If signs and symptoms of colon cancer do appear, they may include: a change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks, rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain, abdominal pain with a bowel movement, a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely, weakness or fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

CAUSES

Colon cancer’s exact cause is unknown, but it appears to be influenced by both inherited and environmental factors. Studies show a concentration in areas of higher economic development suggesting a relationship to diet, particularly excess animal fat and low fiber. Other factors that increase the risk of developing colon cancer are: age over 40, the presence of other diseases of the digestive tract, family history and ulcerative colitis.

Development of colon cancer at an early age, or at multiple sites, or recurrent colon cancer, suggests a genetically transmitted form of the disease as opposed to the sporadic form. There also is a slight increased risk for colon cancer in the individual who smokes.

The most common colon cancer cell type is adenocarcinoma which accounts for 95% of cases.

DIAGNOSIS

The development of polyps of the colon usually precedes the development of colon cancer by five or more years. The American Gastroenterologial Association revised its screening guidelines in 2003 to recommend that people with two or more first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer or a first-degree relative with colon or rectal cancer before age 60 should have a screening colonoscopy beginning at age 40 or beginning 10 years prior to the age of the earlier colon cancer diagnosis in their family (whichever is earliest). Those with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer after age 60 or two second-degree relative with colon or rectal cancer should begin screening at age 40 with one of the methods listed above, such as annual sigmoidoscopy. The most common colon cancer screening tests are colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and fecal occult blood test.

CT scans and Barium enemas are also routinely used for diagnosis of colon and rectal cancers.

TREATMENT

Almost all colon cancers are treated with surgery first, regardless of stage. The malignant tumor, adjacent tissues and any lymph nodes that may contain cancer cells are removed.

In colon cancer, chemotherapy after surgery is usually only given if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes (Stage III). Radiation therapy may also be used to induce tumor regression. As with other cancer treatments, the incidence of side effects varies with patient health and the exact nature of the treatment.

PREVENTION

There is not an absolute method for preventing colon cancer. Still, there are steps an individual can take to dramatically lessen the risk or to identify the precursors of colon cancer so that it does not manifest itself. People who turn age 50, and all of those with a history of colon cancer in their families, should speak with their physicians about the most recent screening recommendations from physician and cancer organizations. They should watch for symptoms and attend all recommended screenings to increase the likelihood of catching colon cancer early. Exercise is believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Apparently, no association exists between frequency of bowel movement or laxative use and risk of colon cancer.

PROGNOSIS

Prognosis depends on the stage of the disease and the overall health of the patient. If diagnosed early, before the tumor has spread from the bowel, these treatments are very effective, with about 90% of patients alive five years after diagnosis. If the colon cancer does not come back (recur) within 5 years, it is considered cured. Prognosis is poor in patients with liver and lung metastases.

By: Dick Aronson

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COLON CLEANING HEALTH

Colon cleansing is a practice wherein the contents of the colon are expelled, through chemical means or through mechanical means.

There are three main ways that you can cleanse your colon:

1. Healthy, fiber-rich diet

2. Laxatives

3. Colonic hydrotherapy or colon water therapy

The third method, colonic hydrotherapy is the purely mechanical method of cleansing the colon.

History of Colonic Hydrotherapy

Colonic hydrotherapy has been used in three distinct civilizations during ancient times:

- Egypt (during the time of the pharaohs)

- Greek (during the rise of democratic city-states)

- Indian (during the development of trade and the sciences)

The fact that it has remained as a dominant practice speaks volumes of how people view the practice.

While some remain squeamish regarding the use of water to cleanse the bowel, colonic clinics are appearing in the United States and the United Kingdom to cater to a growing circle of regular patrons.

A hundred years ago, a Nobel laureate spoke distinctly about the role of the colon. The Russian bacteriologist Ilya Mechnikov stated “Death begins in the colon.”

Tracing Ailments to the Colon

Around 90% of all visits to doctors and hospitals are relative to the digestive tract. Human illnesses can often be traced also to an originating organ: the human colon.

Colon cleansing therefore becomes a distinct activity because it addresses the need to detoxify one of the most important organs in the body.

According to Jo Vega, a 13-year practitioner of colonic hydrotherapy in the United Kingdom and a registered member of the Association and Register of Colonic Hydrotherapists, colon cleansing is vital to good health: “I believe it can be a beneficial treatment for everyone. The colon is a major elimination organ and stress, diet and modern living can all take their toll on how it works. Cleansing of the colon can help enable all systems of the body to function better.”

Why do we need colon cleansing? Niamh Fitzgerald, another colonic hydrotherapist from the United Kingdom (in Dublin), notes the “backlog” and build-up of waste in the human colon:

“We are supposed to go to the bathroom about 30 minutes after we eat so you can imagine the backlog that builds up. This backlog is home to unfriendly yeast and pathogenic bacteria.”

Some Beneficial Effects & Present Technologies

At present, so-called probiotic supplements such as psyllium husk are being advertised to cleanse the colon. However, colonic hydrotherapists like Fitzgerald argue that such supplements would be useless if the colon is hostile at present.

It seems that acidity and toxin content are also crucial elements to chemical means of cleansing the colon. Care must be taken to condition the colon for less invasive colon cleansing methods.

Colonic hydrotherapy is being touted as a quick means to detoxify. Fitzgerald further argues that the use of water to expel waste through the rear area benefits the kidneys and the skin.

Specialized machines are now being used in colonic clinics to help facilitate colonic hydrotherapy sessions. Temperature levels are regulated, and water and waste removal are also machine-regulated.

The reason why traditional methods have been abandoned is to make this particular method more pleasant to patrons.



By: Wong Darren

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COLON CLEANSE BENEFITS

Colon health difficulties are much more widespread in the developed world than you might think. One reason is that we tend to shy away from topics like constipation and health in our everyday conversations. But even if are not willing to talk about it, the healthy functioning of your colon is crucial to your overall health and well-being. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, constipation and lack of energy, these could be symptoms that indicate you need a natural colon cleanse.

You may be wondering why your doctor has never discussed the need for a colon cleanse. The reality is that most doctors receive very little training in nutrition and natural health procedures. This often means that maintaining your overall well-being and good natural health is up to you.

Finding and using a natural colon cleanse that works should be one of your highest priorities. Our intestinal tract and waste elimination systems were designed to work quite well with a natural diet and regular physical activity. But today we are much less active and much more likely to be eating processed and engineered food. Not only are chemicals added to your food, but beneficial nutrients are often removed in the process. These unnatural foods create toxins in your body. Not only is your colon health affected, but it places an extra load on other toxin-removing organs in your body as well.

A natural colon cleanse accomplishes more than simply cleansing unwanted matter and built-up waste from our colon. It also helps to disinfect your colon, kills unwanted bacteria and regulates and balances your intestinal flora. Intestinal flora are natural microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Although it’s possible to live without them, they play an important role in improving our overall health and protecting us from harmful microorganisms.

Those who’ve experienced a colon cleanse report relief from an incredible array of health conditions, including constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches and allergies. As you might have guessed, a natural colon cleanse is an excellent way to lose weight and many dieters report that weight loss is much easier once their digestive system is operating at peak efficiency. Optimal functioning of our colon also means that we will be assimilating vitamins and minerals from our food much more easily.

Since a colon cleanse reduces waste and toxins in our bodies, you should also expect greater overall vitality, higher alertness and possibly even some relief from depression.

There are several basic ways to accomplish a natural colon cleanse. Most of these solutions can be found at your local health food store or on the Internet. If you choose to purchase from the Internet, do your research well and don’t fall for a product with outlandish claims and an unbeatable price.

An oxygen-based colon cleanse is preferred by many alternative health practitioners because it’s able to effectively remove unwanted bacteria while leaving the good bacteria in place to continue working. An oxygen-based natural colon cleanse cleans and refreshes your entire intestinal tract, not just the lower intestine.

Another way to accomplish a natural colon cleanse is through the use of colonics or colon hydrotherapy. Colon hydrotherapy is often used in connection with an oxygen-based colon cleanse. Also known as colonic irrigation, colon hydrotherapy is quite similar in many ways to an enema, but uses purified water that often infused with beneficial minerals or other natural substances.

You also have the option of performing a natural colon cleanse by using herbal-based products. Herbal-based products normally contain natural fiber, which is designed to loosen and remove built-up materials from your colon, and parasite-fighting herbs, which naturally kill any intestinal worms or other parasites you may be harboring in your colon.

Some purists maintain that the only truly natural colon cleanse involves changing your diet to eliminate processed foods. A diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, juices and high fiber foods is optimal for good colon health. And you will certainly want to begin adjusting your diet to avoid colon health problems in the future. But it’s a good idea to start the colon cleanse process with high quality herbal products that can help you get off to a good start.



By: Jim Mcdonald

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COLON CLEANING PRODUCTS

The colon is one important part of the body that plays a vital role in your health. The colon is responsible for eliminating the bodys’ wastes and it is important to keep it in good condition to ensure its proper function. Among the most important ways to ensure the proper maintenance of the colon is by cleansing it to eliminate toxins and other harmful substances. People are learning the importance of detoxifying the colon and this explains the increasing popularity of colon cleansing products in the market.

Colon cleansing is usually associated with colonic irrigation and other procedures involving the removal of waste buildups in the large intestine. People avail of colonic cleansing for various reasons and the most common of them is the relief of constipation. When constipation becomes rather serious, manual irrigation of the colon is sometimes necessary and such is when colon cleansing becomes handy. People also get colon cleansing in preparation for other procedures that require the total elimination of bodily wastes such as in certain types of surgeries. Other people get their colon cleansed just to ensure that their digestive tract is clean and healthy.

There are many different types of colon cleansing products available in the market but they can be grouped into two major kinds. The first group of colon cleansers consists of substances that are taken orally whether as a dietary supplement or as medication. The second group of colon cleansing products consists of those that involve the manual cleansing of the bowels using direct methods. People attest the effectiveness of either types of colon cleansing products but health practitioners recommend particular products depending on the needs of the patient wanting to have their colon cleansed.

Colon cleansing products that are taken orally are used to help increase the function of the colon in eliminating the bodies waste products. Some products can just be mild helpers that assist in increasing the likelihood of products to be excreted. Among such products are high-fiber supplements such as psyllium husks that act as colon sweepers, helping digestive wastes to be transported out of the body. Similar types of such colon cleansers are concentrated soluble fiber, usually coming from plant sources. These colon cleansing products are useful for maintenance purposes.

Other oral colon cleansing products perform more aggressively than those previously discussed. These are medications that help induce more-than-normal elimination of waste products by the body. The most common example of these products are laxatives, which aid the body in excreting feces almost immediately. Such products are very useful for people having trouble moving bowels due to constipation among other factors. However, a lot of these products may cause side effects such as abdominal pains and discomfort, which is why care should be taken when using them.

More aggressive colon cleansing products are those that involve the direct irrigation of the colon using fluids such as sterilized water or liquid solutions. These types of colon cleansing products do their job by flushing out colonic wastes directly from the large intestine. Large volumes of liquid solution is inserted to the colon through the rectum so that wastes that have built up inside the colon can be flushed out.

Some of these colonic irrigation products can be brought over the counter such as do-it-yourself enemas which can easily be used in the bathroom at home. Such products often come in packages with colonic cleansing solutions and applicators that are used to irrigate the bowels. Others just come as nozzles or attachments that can be used repeatedly. More advanced products require the help of professional therapists that do the procedures in their clinics or bring their equipment to patient’s homes. In addition to the introduction of fluids to the bowels, some systems involve mild suction of wastes to assist in their elimination.

Direct colon cleansing products should not be used repeatedly, however. They may weaken the colon, making it reduce its natural function of elimination. This could cause dependency on such products.

Cleansing the colon in whatever means recommended is very important in a person’s health. The colon is the body’s sewerage system and common sense would tell what problems improperly kept sewerage systems may cause. To know more about colon cleansing products, consult your doctor or your health practitioner.



By: Lee Dobbins

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COLON CLEANSE HEALTH