No one wants to discuss being “number two” or the body parts involved. However, in the following cases, Colorectal cancer increases among people under age 50I thought it might be a good time to start a conversation.
Following our “I’d Never” series, we turned to MU Health Care colorectal surgeons. Dr. Eric Grossman, to find out how to keep your rear healthy. Reflecting on his more than 25 years of experience caring for patients with intestinal problems, here are Dr. Grossman’s top five things you should never do.
1. Don’t spend more than 5 minutes on the toilet
You know the scenario: you’re in a hurry. It’s been a while since I went. It’s just that it’s hard to pass stool. We get nervous to poop for so many reasons.
Dr. Grossman says defecating shouldn’t require physical exertion or straining. It’s okay if it happens occasionally. However, regular straining can lead to health complications such as:
- Hemorrhoids: Everyone has hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum and anus. But they aren’t necessarily so large that they get in the way. Hemorrhoids tend to grow larger with age, and straining can cause them to recur and develop earlier.
- Anal fissure: Vigorous exertion during defecation can tear the lining of the anus. It is usually not a serious condition and usually resolves within a few weeks. But they don’t feel good.
- Rectal prolapse: Constantly tensing the muscles that push poop out can cause the rectum to become misaligned, causing rectal prolapse.
“You don’t need to have a bowel movement every day to be healthy. The normal range is between three times a day and one bowel movement every three days,” says Dr. Grossman. “Try it for a few minutes. And if nothing happens, get up and walk around. You may not need to go to the bathroom.”
2. Never skip the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables each day.only one-tenth Adults meet these recommendations.
“There is growing evidence that keeping the bacteria in your body happy is the key to good health,” Dr. Grossman says. “And we keep our bacteria happy by eating lots of vegetables.”
Fruits and vegetables offer additional benefits for people with painful hemorrhoids. About 80% of people with troublesome hemorrhoids can improve their symptoms and avoid surgery simply by eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of water. Producing includes both.
“Find your favorite fruits and vegetables and eat lots of them,” says Dr. Grossman. “It’s that simple. You can eat the latest and greatest superfoods and not worry if they taste bad.”
3. Never ignore visible blood
to 34% People experience rectal bleeding at some point. When you wipe, you may find blood in the toilet, stool, and toilet paper. This is often a mild symptom of an easily treatable illness, but it can also be a sign of a more serious illness.
Common causes of rectal bleeding include:
- Diverticulitis: infected or inflamed sacs in the colon
- crack: lacerations of the anus, colon, and rectum
- Fistula: An abnormal opening between the anus and rectum or the anus and skin
- Hemorrhoids: inflamed blood vessels in the anus
- polyp: Abnormal noncancerous growths in the rectum or colon
- Proctitis or colitis: inflamed tissue lining the rectum or colon
- Rectal or colon cancer: Cancer that develops from polyps
It may be a mistake to think that rectal bleeding is minor, Dr. Grossman says. “People under the age of 50 can also suffer from colon tumors and colon polyps. Any type of rectal bleeding should be discussed with a doctor.”
4. Never drink less than 8 cups of water per day
Staying hydrated is essential for a healthy colon. Eliminates toxins and waste from the body. And it also helps avoid constipation – there is less need to strain the toilet.
Most people follow the “Rule of 8”. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses (64 ounces total) of water each day. But Dr. Grossman says this is the minimum amount of water needed to maintain a healthy colon.
America National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine It was found that men need 125 ounces of water each day and women 91 ounces to stay well hydrated. However, if you include coffee and tea in your water intake, you’ll end up drinking less water than you think.
“The chemicals in coffee and tea cause a lot of water to be passed back into your urine,” Dr. Grossman says. “So when you drink a cup of coffee, you don’t actually get a cup of water.”
5. Never put off colorectal cancer screening.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently lowered the recommended starting age for colorectal cancer screening to 45 years. “Colon cancer incidence is decreasing in all other age groups except those under 50,” says Dr. Grossman. “Getting screened for colorectal cancer can make a difference in that age group.
Several screening tests are available for colorectal cancer, including:
- Colonoscopy: The doctor uses a long, lighted tube to examine the entire rectum and colon, including polyps and cancer. If found, it can usually be removed during the procedure.
- Stool test: A stool sample is collected at home and tested at a laboratory for changes in blood or DNA. Results may indicate the need for a follow-up colonoscopy.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Similar to a colonoscopy, your doctor uses a thin, lighted tube to examine only the lower third of your colon.
- CT colonography: Doctors use x-ray images of the entire colon to look for polyps and cancer.
The type of cancer screening you choose depends on your cancer risk, medical condition, family history, and preferences.
“There are some things that put you at high risk, but you may not realize it,” says Dr. Grossman. “That’s why you should talk to your doctor about a colon exam and get it done as soon as possible.”