Causes of Colon Problems
Almost everyone suffers from some type of colon problem during their life and a good step towards prevention is to understand what causes colon problems.
Modern diet
The type of food we eat causes many colon problems, for the simple reason that the colon is part of the digestive system – a system that for thousands of years has been happily digesting natural and largely unprocessed foodstuffs.
In the last century – in the blink of an eye so far as the colon is concerned – the typical western diet has changed dramatically. The types of foods that promote good colon function have taken a back seat.
Instead, the colon must process foods that are essentially alien and far from natural: highly-processed sugars, fats and chemicals, large quantities of meats and very little in the way of fibre. In addition, modern cooking and heating methods alter the natural molecular structure of foods.
As one of the functions of the colon is to break food down, these refined, processed and unnatural foods are a challenge. To make matters worse, the friendly bacteria in the colon responsible for breaking it down, as well as manufacturing nutrients and fighting harmful bacteria, get too little of the fibre they need to survive and thrive. Inadequate fibre also slows “motility” – the movement of waste (stools) through the colon.
The end result is high levels of harmful bacteria in the colon, impaired nutrient production and absorption, and an accumulation of toxin-rich faecal matter that often blocks and damages the colon. Toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream instead of being efficiently expelled in stools. They must be managed by the kidneys, lungs, skin and liver instead. Because of this, the modern day diet causes not just colon problems but other types of health problems too.
Pharmaceuticals
Modern-day medicines are wonderful but often cause colon problems. On the one hand they increase the chemical load and on the other, can dramatically alter the environment in the colon.
Antibiotics – one of the most common medications – are a very common cause of colon problems because they work on a “take no prisoners” basis. They eliminate not just the harmful bacteria in the colon but the good bacteria too. As we’ve seen, healthy colon function is dependent on a thriving community of friendly bacteria in the colon.
Lifestyle
Modern-day living is stressful and stress causes many colon problems including ulcerative colitis. Stress-relievers often include “feel-good” foods which are not good for us at all!
At the same time, basic colon health measures such as taking regular moderate exercise and drinking plenty of water, both of which promote the healthy movement of stools through the colon, are neglected. This worsens colon problems caused by the modern day diet, its lack of fibre and the build up of toxins in the colon due to slow-moving stools.
Laxative dependency
Ironically, one of the most common causes of colon problems are over the counter “remedies” to relieve one of the most common colon problems – constipation. Americans spend close to a billion dollars annually on laxatives, and many have become dependent on laxatives – their colons cannot function efficiently without them. This is because laxatives work by irritating nerve endings in the colon. After prolonged use they no longer respond.
Making a change
As you can see, colon problems are closely linked to the negative elements of the modern Western lifestyle. The key to improved colon health is essentially a return to more natural, colon-cleansing diets, a healthy intake of water and more active lifestyles. Many people are discovering the benefits of colon cleansing, to give a long-neglected colon a fresh start and keep it in tip-top condition.
Eliminating the causes of colon problems prevents not just colon problems but a number of problems stemming from a poorly functioning colon, for all-round optimum health.
A Cause And An Effect Of The Colon Problem
Constipation is perhaps regarded as one of the main culprits to colon problems. It is caused by a lot of factors and colon cleansing is one of the best solutions you could consider. It could be diagnosed to come up with the proper treatment.
If you are only eliminating your bowel in less than four times a week, then you are suffering from constipation. You will suffer some difficulty in your bowel movement because your stools are hard, dry, and in small pieces. Constipation is a very painful feeling. This condition is just a symptom not a disease. It is the most common sign that you will experience if you have various types of health problems. This is not permanent and you will be relieved of this if you will learn what are its causes, prevention, and treatment.
Causes
The most common causes of constipation are lack of fibre in your diet. Lack of exercise, especially in older people may also bring the problem out. Some medicines which prevent proper absorption of nutrients in the body could be a probable cause.
There are also some types of milk that can cause constipation. Childbirth after pregnancy, age, and travelling a lot may lead to the scenario. Constipation may result if you abuse the use of laxatives every time you cannot eliminate properly. Insufficient supply of liquid in your system can also cause this type of bowel condition. Health condition such as stroke, intestinal disorder and colon and rectal problem can also cause constipation. Diagnosis
The tests and examinations for constipation will depend on its seriousness, the age of the person, the blood that is present in the stool, and the change in bowel habits. If your constipation problem is not severe, your doctor will only require you to change your eating habits. He may also recommend that you should take-in a lot of foods that are rich in fibre as well as regular exercise.
In some cases wherein children are experiencing constipation, a more rigid physical examination is performed. The medical history of the patient is determined in order to conduct the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment
The treatment for constipation will depend on its causes, seriousness, and extensiveness of its existence and even on lifestyle. The most common treatment that is given to people who are having constipation is diet. You will be required to change your regular diet into a healthy one by incorporating foods that are rich in fibre and liquid. Your doctor can help you in making a better food program that you can follow in order to prevent constipation.
Changing your lifestyle is also one way of treating constipation. If you are not uses to drinking plenty of water and you are not fond of eating fruits and vegetables, you can start right now. Laxatives are only recommended if after having a change in lifestyle and diet, you are still constipated most of the time.
Constipation could always be present to most individuals. In mild cases, everybody could be a victim of this symptom. You just have to gauge its severity and if you think it is too much for you to handle, start cleaning your act through colon cleansing.
Perforated Colon – Causes and Treatments
Do you feel any or a combination of lower quadrant pain, fever, bleeding, vomiting, chills elevation of the white blood cell count, nausea, diarrhoea, or constipation? While these symptoms are warning signs for a wide range of diseases, I suggest you see a doctor immediately. These are also symptoms of a perforated colon.
As the name implies, a perforated colon is a puncture ranging in size from a few millimetres to 2 centimetres in the intestinal tract. In people with perforated colon, the colonic muscle is ruptured and intestinal content spills into the abdominal cavity. The perforation itself is no cause for alarm but the ensuing infection from the toxins and bile that leaks to the abdominal cavity can lead to life threatening sepsis.
What Are The Common Causes Of A Perforated Colon?
The number one cause is trauma. This could be caused by the ingestion of a food item that causes damage as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract or if the colon hydro therapist accidentally punctures your colon during a session. It may also be caused by different gastrointestinal illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, Colitis, gastrointestinal cancer, ulcers and diverticulitis. The disease is more common in the obese and the older age groups.
Among the causes of perforated colon, diverticulitis is probably among the easiest to prevent. While the development of the pockets may be difficult to prevent, you can easily inhibit the inflammation of the diverticula. Increased intake of water and fibre-rich food lowers the rate of recurrence and may prevent blockage of the diverticulum by faecal matter or undigested food particles.
Surgery is generally used to repair the perforated area. Occasionally, sections of the intestine may need to be removed. There are risks involved with the surgery but the benefits outweigh these risks. If the problem is caused by an illness, the underlying cause should be treated to prevent the perforation from happening again.
Some physicians advise their patients to refrain from eating seeds and nuts. While plausible, there is not much evidence that this really helps. A better bet would be to increase the consumption of fibre rich foods and reduce red meat intake. You can also see a colon hydro therapist to ensure that faecal matter does not lodge in your gut for long periods of time.
However, for people who do not like the idea of having foreign objects in their gut, there are natural colon cleansers that can be taken. These supplements are readily available and are made from selected herbs that help the body eliminate toxins from the colon.