Tummy symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Do you feel gassy, bloated or constipated? Are they affecting your quality of life or work productivity? If you answered yes, you are not alone. In the United States, where I’m based, related symptoms account for more than 2.5 million doctor’s office visits a year.
These symptoms can be signs of a less-than-healthy colon. Understanding them can help you reduce the risk of preventable diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and colon cancer. Read on and learn how to deal with them.
Some of the gas in your gut is from air or carbonated beverages you have swallowed. Additionally, bacteria in your colon produces intestinal gas by fermenting certain carbohydrates found in your diet. Although bacterial production of intestinal gas is normal, gas accumulation may make you feel bloated. This feeling of fullness is mostly tied to what you eat, and it might be worsened by constipation. Strategies to reduce gas and bloating include reducing your intake of foods that lead to gassiness, treating constipation, and consuming lactose-free foods and foods that contain probiotics, which are live bacteria that are good for your digestive system. Some excellent sources of probiotics include yogurt, pickles and dark chocolate.
When you have fewer than three bowel movements per week, you may be constipated. Up to 20 percent of Americans suffer from this, and women are more often affected than men.
When constipated, your stools can be pebbly and dry, and you may have to strain to complete a movement. Pain and bloating may be associated. Causes for constipation can include change in diet, decreased physical activity, medication side effects or colon blockage.
The colon, aka the large intestine, is part of your digestive system. It is home to trillions of micro-organisms that help your immune system develop normally. The colon’s job is to absorb water and nutrients from the stool.
To avoid constipation and maintain a healthy colon, you should watch what you eat, include at least 25 grams of fiber in your daily diet, drink lots of water and exercise. You can also review your medications with your doctor, who can prescribe laxatives, if necessary.
You should check with your doctor if there is blood in your stool, or if you have abdominal pain, weight loss or have been found to have a low blood count (anemia). Furthermore, excessive straining over many years due to constipation can cause hemorrhoids or stretch your pelvic floor muscles, making it even more difficult in the future.
The World Health Organization lists colorectal cancer as one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The chances of getting colorectal cancer are one in 19, yet it is highly curable when detected early. Risk factors include age—most who suffer are over 50—family history of colorectal cancer and polyps, and personal history of polyps and inflammatory bowel disease. Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk for colorectal cancer include a diet high in red or processed meats, and/or one low in fresh fruits and vegetables. Obesity, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption and smoking increase the risk.
Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 50, but you should start earlier if you have other risk factors. A colonoscopy is recommended at least once every 10 years. Other screening methods include a virtual colonoscopy—a CT scan that re-creates 3-D images of the colon—and stool DNA tests. You should discuss the different options with your doctor.
Content courtesy of Linda Lee, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center and clinical director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The content was reproduced with permission of the office of Marketing and Communications for Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Additional reuse and reprinting is not allowed. The information aims to educate readers and is not a substitute for consultation with a physician.
