Colonoscopy is the internal examination of the walls of the colon using a flexible fiberoptic tube known as a colonoscope. Colonoscopy is used to diagnose abnormalities of the colon such as colon cancer, colon polyps, bleeding lesions, ulcerative...
Most people are so concerned about heart health that they often neglect the health of the colon. In 2010, the National Cancer Society estimated that 102,900 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 51, 370 people died from the disease....
Colon cancer is a potentially curable disease if caught early. Cure rates are up to 95 percent and 85 percent for stage I and stage II disease respectively. The American Cancer Society, ACS, recommends screening for colon cancer at age 50 years...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer causes the third highest number of cancer cases in America. In 2006 alone, 68,857 women and 70,270 men were diagnosed with this cancer. The CDC recommends that all...
Crohn's disease is a form of irritable bowel syndrome that is thought to be caused by an immune system abnormality and/or heredity. Diet and stress are known to aggravate the condition; however, these factors are not believed to be the cause of...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that can cause a multitude of gastrointestinal problems for 12 weeks or more. Diarrhea, constipation, frequent bowel movements and stomach cramps are some of the symptoms of this condition....
Eating foods that are high in fiber can help prevent many gastrointestinal problems that can lead to bloody stools, including ulcers, hemorrhoids and colon cancer. Choose a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as dark, leafy greens;...
Men should have regular physical exams even if they are healthy. Conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure often do not produce symptoms until advanced stages. Visiting your doctor regularly also helps maintain a relationship in...
It is really a medical professional who should first spot colorectal concerns in your body. Signs that are noticed during screenings are usually growths called polyps or other early indications of precancerous or cancerous conditions. These can...
Colitis is an inflammation of the large, or lower intestine. Causes for the inflammation can vary widely, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. The inflammation can appear as a sudden (acute), a one-time event, or be part of a long-term,...
Certain symptoms of colon cancer, such as difficulty passing stool, may resemble constipation. If increasing your daily fiber intake, getting regular exercise and drinking adequate fluids don't regulate your bowel movements, or if you have other...
When considering your risk for developing breast or colon cancer, you may be concerned about your diet. Diets that are high in saturated fats and low in fiber may make you more likely to develop cancer. Red meat is often high in saturated fat, and...
Colon cancer is the third-most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. For men it is surpassed by prostate and lung cancer, and for women by breast and lung cancer. Though not preventable, colon cancer has a high cure rate when...
You are over 40 and feeling fit and fabulous. So it may be tempting to skip health checkups. But these screenings can literally be lifesavers. According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), an international research and...
Lymphocytic colitis occurs when all or part of your large or small intestines becomes inflamed. Symptoms include fecal incontinence, abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, weight loss and nausea. After performing a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy...
Your pediatrician may recommend that your child undergo a procedure to check his colon, or large intestine, called a lower GI endoscopy. Depending on your child's age, you will need to help him prepare for the procedure, and you may be able to...
The route to avoiding colon cancer is to eat plenty of fiber, right? Not necessarily. Modern researchers are not so sure that the decades-old belief is valid after all. Nevertheless, fiber has other benefits that make it an important component of...
IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, and vitamin B-12 deficiency are medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Because of this, one condition can be prematurely misdiagnosed as the other. Diagnostic tests can determine if your symptoms are...
Adenomas, or adenomatous polyps, are abnormal mushroom-shaped growths in the lining of your colon. Most colorectal cancers, or cancers originating in the colon or rectum, are thought to develop from adenomatous polyps. Since adenomas are a risk...
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the digestive tract. Because early detection offers the best hope of curing this cancer, understanding its risk factors and symptoms can help save lives. People in high-risk groups should make...
Colon cancer killed approximately 52,000 people in the United States in 2007 alone, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. As the second highest ranking cause of death by cancer, it is critical to get screened early before this...
Amebic dysentery, also known as amebiasis, is an illness caused by the organism Entamoeba histolytica. This parasite is able to infect the intestines, where it can cause gastrointestinal distress. This type of parasitic infection is common in...
Constipation, usually defined as having less than three bowel movements a week, coupled with stool that is hardened, dry, or difficult or painful to pass, can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, some simple lifestyle changes, including regular aerobic...
Ulcerative colitis is one of the diseases, along with Crohn's Disease and other intestinal problems, which are grouped into Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Colitis is contained mainly in the colon and rectum. Some people show signs of colitis only...
Colon cancer is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths among cancers that affect men and women. The CDC also...
Crohn's disease primarily affects adolescents and young adults, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). This inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping and chronic diarrhea, but those who...
Colon polyps left untreated can become a host to the development of colorectal cancer, which, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, is the second most common cancer--asymptomatic in most cases, and deadly. However, many...
