Early Detection Saves Lives Before you can fully understand early symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to understand where exactly it occurs within your body. A colon refers to the final part of the digestive system; specifically, it is part of the large intestine. The purpose of a colon is to help prepare your digested foods for excretion. It stores your waste as it waits to vacate your body and plays a very minor part in extracting nutrients in the final stages of digestion. What is Colon Cancer? As the name suggests, colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon. Cancer occurs when cells, instead of replicating at a regular rate, begin to divide rapidly, causing tumors to form, and disrupting healthy bodily functions. As cancers progress, the growing cells can travel to other regions of the body. [youmaylike] What are Polyps? Polyps are growths that can grow within the colon. Having polyp growth does not mean you will get colon cancer. While not all polyps are cancerous, almost all malignant tumors in the colon start as polyps. Upon examination, your doctor will be able to give you more information on what your options are. Generally, a physician will perform a colonoscopy to remove it. Once removed, a pathologist can examine the tissue to determine whether or not the sample is dangerous and if further actions need to be taken. Symptoms of Polyps Polyps are not something you can see. To know something is not quite right, you will have to monitor your regular bodily functions. The most commonly reported symptoms related to polyp formation are: Rectal bleeding: If you notice that your rectum is bleeding, this could be due to polyp formation. It is important to recognize that this is also a common symptom of other problems such as hemorrhoids or anal tears. If it happens persistently, you should consider visiting your doctor for an internal examination. Abdominal pain: When polyps are rather big, they can obstruct the bowel. In doing so, it can cause problems that manifest as cramps or other abdominal pain. Irregular-colored stools: Even if you cannot notice it directly, rectal bleeding can influence the color of the stool. You may notice some small red stripes in mild cases. In more serious cases, heavy bleeding may cause your poop to appear black. Before you start to worry, make sure these color changes are not simply due to a change in diet, medication, or supplement use. Anemia: If polyps continue to bleed for a prolonged time, they may cause the development of an iron deficiency. Anemia can manifest in several ways, including fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, fainting, or having abnormally pale skin. Common Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer Polyps themselves are, again, not a direct indication of colon cancer. While cancer can develop from a polyp, there are other symptoms which separate the benign and malignant development. Symptoms of colon cancer are different for everyone, but the most commonly reported signs are: Changes in bowel movements: Particularly, you want to pay attention to the consistency of your stools. If it looks different or you develop constipation or diarrhea for an extended time, talk to your doctor. Rectal bleeding: You might pass bloody stools. Abdominal pain: Any type of discomfort, such as cramps or gas, should be monitored. Fatigue: Feeling weak or consistently tired despite adequate rest can be a sign of many medical problems. Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may be a sign of a lack of nutrition due to a malfunctioning digestive tract. Essentially, if your intestines are not able to properly absorb nutrients from food, you will not get enough nutrition from the food you eat. The “feeling” of a full bowel: Sometimes, even after passing a bowel movement to the highest extent possible, some patients report feeling like their bowel is not “empty”. While this is a normal sensation to experience from time to time, it can be a sign of an underlying colon problem. When to See a Doctor If you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above consistently, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed physician. Even if your abnormalities are not cancerous, they can be a sign of another serious medical condition that should be addressed. The earlier you recognize a problem, the better chance you have of getting access to effective medical intervention.
Leaky Gut Syndrome Symptoms
Leaky gut syndrome, also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition in which bacteria or toxins leak from the small intestine into the bloodstream. In this article, we are going to take a look at leaky gut syndrome symptoms so you can know if you are at risk.
Microbiota is bacteria found in the intestines that help with digestion, protect the intestinal wall, and contribute to immune function. Research shows that a microbiota imbalance in the intestine may trigger the body’s immune response resulting in gut inflammation and intestinal permeability.
The science behind leaky gut syndrome is still developing. And the infancy of it is the reason for tensions between proponents of natural health who diagnose and treat leaky gut and some mainstream medical practitioners who dismiss it.
Because of this, there are no definitive tests to find out whether an individual has leaky gut syndrome, and many people go their whole lives without a diagnosis and proper treatment. If you suspect you may have any of its symptoms, it is advisable to consult with a doctor who will take your concerns seriously.
However, it is widely accepted that leaky gut is a common syndrome among people with autoimmune diseases, such as celiac and Crohn's disease. Still, the evidence that it is an underlying cause of such conditions is not sufficient.
Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The defined causes of the leaky gut syndrome include:
- Chronic stress, which weakens your immunity and undermines your ability to fight off bacteria and viruses
- Preservatives and other chemicals found in foods often causing damage to the intestine's lining, undermining the digestion of gluten
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin causing damage to the intestine's lining
- Dysbiosis, the imbalance between the other species in the gut; good and bad bacteria (antibiotics are a leading cause of the imbalance because it kills the good bacteria in the stomach)
- A poor diet that’s heavy on processed foods leading to an overgrowth of yeasts in the intestine
People with the following conditions are also likely to experience leaky gut.
- Acnes
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic liver disease
- Diabetes
- Unexplained rashes
- Food allergies
- Giardiasis
- Hives
- Intestinal infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including ulcerative colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Sinus infections
It is best not to think of the leaky gut as a disease by itself but a means through which toxins invade the body through the gastrointestinal tract and cause other diseases.
Common symptoms of leaky gut syndrome include:
- Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
- Depression, anxiety, or ADHD
- Fatigue
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Malaise
- Skin problems including eczema and rashes
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
Treatment Options
The most effective treatment for leaky gut syndrome is a diet that supports gut health and eliminates stressors such as:
- Gluten and wheat-based products
- Dairy products, including milk and cheese
- Refined oils including canola, sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
- Highly refined foods and snacks such as crackers, potato chips, sugary cereals, among others
- Artificial sweeteners
- Salad dressings and sauces such as soy, teriyaki, and hoisin sauce
- Drinks with soy, caffeine, refined sugar, carbonated beverages, and alcohol
Foods that support gut health include:
- Greens such as arugula, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, spinach, ginger, mushrooms, and zucchini
- Fruit fiber from bananas, berries, pineapple, lemon, passion fruit, and papaya
- Roots and tubers including potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and yams
- Nuts and seeds, including almonds, peanuts, nut-based milk, and chia, flax, and sunflower seeds
- Healthy fats such as omega-3, avocado oil, extra virgin oil, and coconut oil that support brain function
- Meat and eggs — chicken, turkey, and eggs, fish, lean beef, and lamb
- Cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are known to support brain activity
- Healthy beverages including bone broth and coconut milk
Lifestyle adjustments that may prove helpful besides a good diet include:
- Regular exercise
- Measures that ensure you get enough sleep, such as observing a regular bedtime schedule and avoiding blue light around your bedtime
- Avoid antibiotics if necessary
- Quit alcohol and smoking
You could opt to visit a gastroenterologist to help you navigate nutritional choices. Notably, treating Crohn's or celiac disease after a diagnosis will also address leaky gut symptoms. Avoiding stress either by medication or meditation is also effective in addressing intestinal permeability.