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Split Dose Prep is Best for Colonoscopy

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One way that doctors and researchers have improved colon preparation is the implementation of the split dose regimen. Instead of consuming a large volume of cleansing solution the night before your colonoscopy, you now can split the dose into two halves. One dose is taken the night before your colonoscopy, and the second dose is taken about four to five hours before the procedure (Source: NCBI).

The split-dose bowel preparation has many benefits, such as improved patient acceptability and better cleansing. The U.S Multi-Society Task force recommends the split-dose preparation specifically because it has proven to increase adenoma detection rates (ADR). Recent studies also show that split-dose preparation is associated with a higher detection rate for sessile serrated polyps during colonoscopy exams. A sessile serrated polyp is a premalignant, flat lesion that is mostly seen in the cecum and ascending colon. These polyps are thought to lead to colon cancer through a different pathway than most colorectal cancers.

A randomized study led by Nicholas Horton, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic, found that the detection rate for sessile serrated polyps was 9.9 percent with split-dose preparation compared to 2.4 percent with single-dose preparation. A total of 17 percent of the lesions were identified as sessile serrated polyps in the split-dose group compared with only 4.4 percent in the single-dose group.

Horton and his colleagues studied 341 patients whose mean age was 54. One group consumed 2 liters of bowel prep solution as a single preparation the night before their colonoscopy. Another group consumed half the solution on the night before and half on the morning of the colonoscopy. Both groups were instructed to only have clear liquids.

Overall, there was little difference between the two groups in the detection rates of polyps and adenomas or in the location, size or number of polyps identified. Polyp detection rates in the single-dose and split-dose groups were 55 percent and 59 percent, respectively, while adenoma detection rates were 32 percent and 37 percent. Any proximal polyps were identified in 67 percent of the single dose and 61 percent of the split-dose groups, respectively, while any distal polyps were detected in 66 percent and 70 percent.

The split-dose preparation certainly does perform as well as the single-dose preparation. One of Horton’s colleagues, John Vargo, M.D., MPH, who was not involved in the study, concurred with Horton’s findings. He said Horton’s group “found that the split dose benefited the patients in several important ways, such as allowing more flexibility in scheduling and most significantly, resulting in a higher detection rate of sessile serrated polyps. I think that their findings, along with previous research, will encourage many healthcare providers to reconsider making patients consume the bowel preparation in one large dose,” he said (Source: MedPageToday).

Essential Oils and Cancer

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Essential oils and aromatherapy are all the rage now. Oils are used to treat conditions such as stress, stomach upset and congestion. Some people just like the aroma of essential oils in their homes. Now, studies show that essential oils may be effective in treating and preventing cancer.

All of us have some chromosomal aberrations, but a healthy body can effectively remove these cells. If you are not caring for your body, the malformed cells can multiply and develop into cancer. Certain essential oils can help disable cancer cells but leave healthy cells unharmed. Like a SWAT team on a special mission, essential oils can destroy cancerous cells without severe side effects.

Thyme has been used for cooking, medicine, embalming, and even to fend off bad dreams. A Swiss study from 2010 shows that thyme can help kill breast cancer cells, prostate cancer cells and lung cancer cells. Most likely, the active compound thymol is responsible for destroying cancer cells.

Rosemary is an aromatic herb used for pest control, cooking, gardening, and perfumes. This herb has some wonderful antioxidant properties that protect against free radicals and can cause the death of healthy cells. Some recent studies also show that rosemary has anti-tumor properties in the colon, breast liver, stomach, skin, and blood!

Oregano, native to the Mediterranean, is actually part of the mint family. The oil of oregano contains carnosol and has some of the same properties as rosemary. Oregano essential oil has the ability to stop the growth of colon cancer cells and kills selective cancer cells. It is also effective against prostate, breast and skin cancers.

Chamomile, an ancient herb, is used for many ailments such as inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders and hemorrhoids. Chamomile essential oil is much more potent than chamomile tea and can be therapeutic in breast, skin, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

Frankincense is made from the resin or sap of the Boswellia tree in Asia and the Middle East. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on cells. Essential oil from frankincense is effective in fighting tumor development and is especially potent against bladder cancer.

Although chemotherapy and radiation are effective in treating and reducing tumors, there is much to be said for holistic medicine and non-invasive treatments. Essential oils have many healing and nourishing properties because they contain antioxidants and beneficial compounds that are natural. Research some of these essential oils and talk to your doctor to see if they will be helpful to you (Source: The Alternative Daily).

The Many Benefits of a Colonoscopy

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A colonoscopy may not be your first choice of how to spend your day, but have you ever considered how useful a colonoscopy can be in diagnosing digestive disorders and conditions? By emptying your bowel and allowing your doctor to view your entire colon with the help of a lit colonoscope and a viewing monitor, you can have a clear “picture” of your digestive health! Just look at these seven benefits of having a colonoscopy:

  1. Colonoscopies help detect colon cancer. One in every 20 Americans will develop colon cancer, and colonoscopies are the most effective means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. No other colon cancer screening is as thorough and comprehensive.
  2. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. Most colon cancer develops from polyps, fleshy tumors that begin as benign but have the potential to become cancerous if allowed to grow. During a colonoscopy, your doctor can remove suspicious polyps so that they can never become cancer.
  3. Colonoscopies can diagnose colitis. Colitis is chronic inflammation of the colon. If your doctor finds inflammation in certain areas of your colon, you can begin receiving treatment immediately.
  4. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis can be diagnosed during a colonoscopy. Pockets in the intestinal wall can become infected over time and cause pain and discomfort. Your doctor can assess the severity and extent of either condition and recommend a course of treatment.
  5. Colonoscopies can detect bleeding lesions. Bleeding lesions can be present in many different areas of the colon. A colonoscopy examines the colon from the rectum all the way to the cecum, so your doctor will be able to see the lesions during the exam.
  6. Colonoscopies are used for abnormal barium x-ray exams. If you have a barium x-ray exam and an area of suspicion is found, a colonoscopy will offer a better view of the affected area of the colon.
  7. Colonoscopies are the best exam to help diagnose the cause of abdominal pain. Symptoms like anemia, weight loss, abdominal pain, or cramping could arise from many different causes. A colonoscopy can determine whether the symptoms you are experiencing are related to colon disease.

Lack of Colon Cancer Symptoms Does Not Mean Colon Cancer-Free

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Let’s take a little quiz to see how familiar you are with the symptoms of common illnesses:

  1. Muscle and joint aches, headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, pain around the eyes, fever.
  2. Sneezing, runny nose, tiredness, congestion, cough.
  3. Throat pain, swollen tonsils, spots on the back of the mouth, tender lymph nodes, fever, painful swallowing.
  4. Ear pain, difficulty hearing, loss of balance, irritability, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite.

How did you do? If you chose: influenza, common cold, strep throat and middle ear infection, you are exactly right! Many health conditions have recognizable symptoms to help us know what type of treatment we need to begin the healing process. Other sicknesses and diseases are more covert and may not have warning signs at all. Colon cancer is one example of a disease that may not have any associated symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. This is quite problematic, as colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Although this may be unsettling news, we do not all need to live in fear of developing colon cancer. There are some patterns that often go along with colon cancer. For example, family history plays a more important role in colon cancer development than was previously thought. If colon cancer runs in your family, you should talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting screened earlier. This is especially true if you have a first-degree relative with colon cancer.

Other diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, large body mass index, irritable bowel disease (IBD), and hereditary conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, can put you at higher risk for colon cancer. Lifestyle choices also play an important role in colon cancer development. Smoking, alcohol use, eating a high-fat/low-fiber diet, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to colon disease.

Colon cancer does eventually cause very specific symptoms, but this often means that the disease has been progressing for some time already. Pay attention to your body and look for warning signs, such as persistent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, black or tarry stools, thin pencil-like stools, chronic constipation and/or diarrhea or vomiting. If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, don’t delay in calling your doctor and scheduling an appointment.

Remember, a lack of symptoms does not provide assurance that your colon is in good health. Be active in your own healthcare. Know your family history, pay attention to changes in your bowel habits, be aware of exacerbating conditions, make good lifestyle choices, and memorize the warning signs of colon cancer. Most importantly, schedule regular colonoscopies beginning at the age of 50 (or earlier if you are African American and/or have a family history colon cancer). This disease may not be as easy to diagnose as the flu or the common cold, but you can equip yourself with knowledge about colon cancer incidence and prevention! If you do not currently have a licensed specialist to perform your colonoscopy, use our physician locator to find a qualified physician in your area.

How to Beat Unwanted Belly Fat Naturally

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Belly fat. We’ve all got it, but some of us have a little more to share than others. Even skinny people aren’t immune to the pooch. Some fat around your middle — just under the skin — is normal, but too much belly fat is unhealthy. That deeper belly fat, called “visceral fat,” isn’t just an eyesore; it can actually be dangerous to your health. While some visceral fat provides a cushion to the organs, too much can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers like breast cancer and colon cancer. That’s because visceral fat stimulates stress hormones like cortisol, which cause inflammation and affect insulin production.

A simple way to determine how much visceral fat you have is to stand up and measure your waist at your belly button with a measuring tape. A healthy waist size is less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men. If you have more abdominal fat, then most likely you also have more visceral fat. Remember, even a thin person can have too much unhealthy visceral fat.

So how do we beat belly fat? There are four areas of your life that affect how much or how little belly fat you have: exercise, diet, sleep, and stress level. To follow are some tips that not only help you burn belly fat, but also lose weight and improve overall health.

  1. Exercise is essential to burning belly fat. Regular exercise reduces fat all over the body, including visceral fat around the belly.
  • Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week or more vigorous exercise like running or cycling for 20 minutes, four days a week.
  • You cannot spot reduce belly fat, so unlimited crunches aren’t as effective as you might think. Instead, do a variety of exercises that work your core like planks, Russian twists, and V-ups.
  • To really eviscerate visceral fat, step up your workouts. According to Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, “people who completed a high-intensity workout regimen lost more belly fat than those who followed a low-intensity plan.” That’s because high-intensity exercises burn more calories.
  • Maintaining weight loss with regular exercise is key to preventing belly fat from coming back.
  • A low-carb, high protein, high fiber diet is another key ingredient to burn belly fat. When you lose weight on any diet, belly fat is usually the first to go.
  • Aim for at least 14 grams of soluble fiber a day from fruits and veggies, oats, and legumes.
  • Eat more protein and fewer carbs. As you age, your body begins to produce more insulin, and more insulin means more fat especially around your belly. Eating more protein protects against insulin resistance and visceral fat. Ideally, daily food intake should consist of 30 percent protein, 30 percent fats, and 40 percent carbs (Prevention).
  • Avoid sugar and sugar-sweetened drinks like fruit juice, sports drinks, and sodas. According to Authority Nutrition, “[e]xcess sugar consumption may be the primary driver of belly fat accumulation especially sugary beverages.”
  • Reduce the refined carbs found in processed foods; opt instead for natural foods like produce and whole grains. The antioxidants may actually prevent belly fat.
  • Saturated fats found in meat and dairy also increase visceral fat. Instead, eat more monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados) and polyunsaturated fats (fish, nuts, and seeds).
  • Use coconut oil instead of vegetable or canola oil. Two tablespoons of coconut oil a day might slightly reduce belly fat.
  • Track your food intake to see how much protein, fat, and carbs you’re eating. My Fitness Pal is a really handy and free app.
  • Get 6 to 7 hours of sleep at night. In a 16-year study of 70,000 women, those who slept five hours or less at night were 30 percent more likely to gain 30 pounds or more than than those sleeping seven hours (Time). Good sleep is good for the mind, body, and soul, so make it a priority.
  • Stress is also a contributing factor to belly fat. During stressful times, people often reach for high-fat, high-calorie foods that contribute to weight gain. When you’re stressed the hormone cortisol is released, which may increase the amount of fat your body holds on to and enlarge fat cells. Higher levels of cortisol have been linked to more visceral fat. Finding healthy ways to relieve stress can actually reduce visceral fat.
  • Exercise, prayer and meditation, reading, and spending time with family and friends are just a few ways to reduce stress and beat belly fat. Find what works best for you.

Still, despite your attempts to reduce belly fat, genetics plays a significant role in how much visceral fat you have. If you are apple-shaped, then you will tend to pack pounds around your middle. This genetic predisposition means it may be harder for you to lose belly fat than a pear-shaped person who puts on weight around the hips and thighs. However, don’t let your genetic make-up be an excuse to be unhealthy.

No matter your genes, if you are motivated to lose weight, you can. Commit to regular exercise (especially weight training and cardio), eat a low-carb/high-fiber diet, sleep seven hours a night, and find enjoyable stress relievers. Then, watch the belly fat melt away.

What tips do you have to lose unwanted belly fat?

Best Foods to Keep Your Colon Clean

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“You are what you eat” is a saying that definitely applies to colon cancer.  Some of the risk factors for colon cancer are linked to what you eat. One of the most significant factors includes eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet, so eating a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to protect your colon (Source: Latinos Health).

Here are some foods that are gut-healthy for your colon and delectable to the taste buds:

  1. Apples or apple cider vinegar. Apples are rich in fiber and promote healthy digestion. Apples also contain pectin which assists in removing toxins and building a stronger intestinal lining.
  2. Avocados. This fruit has both soluble and insoluble fibers at a ratio of one to three. Soluble fibers promote bowel regularity and prevent toxin build-up. Insoluble fiber prevents colon cancer by adding bulk and cleaning out the colon.
  3. Broccoli. Almost everyone likes broccoli. This cruciferous vegetable contains antioxidants which protect cells from cancer. Soluble fiber in broccoli promote healthy bacteria in the intestines.
  4. Spinach. This dark leafy green is one of the best sources of vitamin A and provides roughage to keep the colon clear and help digestion run smoothly.
  5. Lemon. All citrus fruits are known to be good colon cleansers, but lemons are especially good at detoxification. They act as an antiseptic to reduce waste matter build up and hinder the growth of harmful microorganisms.
  6. Garlic. This spice has worldwide appeal and is used in cuisines in almost all cultures. Garlic is known to protect against viruses, parasites and bacteria and helps flush pathogens from the colon
  7. Water. It is impossible to have a healthy colon without water. Fiber absorbs water, and constipation can result if fiber is consumed without adequate H2O. Drinking plenty of water will help move the bulk that fiber has created in the intestine to clean the colon and remove toxins and waste.

Maybe it’s time to make some modifications to your diet. Try adding some of these colon-friendly foods to your grocery list, and spend some time with a cookbook or your favorite recipe website. Good health and a clean colon are within your reach!

Chewing Gum Could Make for an Easier Prep

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Everyone knows that the downside of a colonoscopy is the prep. No one likes the idea of a liquid diet or drinking laxatives mixed with Gatorade. Some people have no trouble stomaching the polyethylene glycol solution, but others complain of nausea, bloating, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.

Now with the split-dose prep, patients can consume a lower volume of liquid in two intervals. One dose is taken the night before the colonoscopy, and the next dose is taken the day of the procedure. Many veteran colonoscopy recipients have some tried-and-true methods that make colonoscopy prep more palatable. Some of these tricks include:

  • Making the prep solution as cold as possible
  • Mixing the prep with orange Crystal Lite
  • Drinking the solution through a straw
  • Trying to drink the solution as quickly as possible

A recent study in Seoul, South Korea, led by Jisun Lee, R.N., and colleagues, found that chewing gum could help the undesirable side effects of colonoscopy prep. The team asked 66 participants to chew one stick of sugarless gum during the pause interval of drinking a polyethylene glycol solution while 65 patients (control group) did not chew gum.

The gum-chewing group had significantly fewer complaints of nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and bloating. They also consumed their solution at a faster rate than the control group.

The authors concluded after the study, “Gum chewing was demonstrated by this study to be a potentially effective nursing intervention that is easy for patients to perform with simple instructions and is low cost with no side effects.”

If you are getting ready to have your colonoscopy, it might be time to go buy your favorite flavor of Juicy Fruit, Hubba Bubba, Wrigley’s, or Big League Chew. Smack it, pop it, blow bubbles, and indulge. You might just be making your colonoscopy prep a little easier and a lot more fun (Source: Medical Xpress).

A Poop Pill Might Be the Key to Weight Loss

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After having four babies, I’ve tried a lot of methods to lose weight. Some have been more successful than others. I’ve tried the shake method, limiting myself to soy shakes or Slim Fast drinks for breakfast and lunch and trying to eat a modest dinner. I’ve also tried exercise: taking classes at the Y, walking in my neighborhood with a friend or training for a race. Other times, I just tried to limit my portion size of what I wanted to eat.

There have been so many diets that have emerged in the past decade: low carbohydrate diets, high protein diets, raw foods diets, and juice diets. How are we supposed to know what diets are healthy and what diets might be harmful? Recently, dietary supplements have become popular. Herbal supplements, vitamins and probiotics line the shelves of the grocery store and health food stores and carry promises of boosted metabolism and increased fat-burning.

Now, a new pill boasts weight loss powers, if you can stomach it. Are you ready for this? It’s made—of poop. Now, as a mom of four, I’ve got a PhD in poop. I’ve seen just about everything in this category. I’ve cleaned it up in the diaper stage, clapped for it in the toilet training stage, and flushed it when little people forgot to push the lever. There’s not much that I can’t handle, but a poop pill just might be my limit.

But if a poop capsule can help me lose weight, I might at least listen to the reasoning behind it. Here it goes. The theory is that the freeze-dried poop of a thin person may help an obese person lose weight. To test out this hypothesis, a group of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are testing capsules containing freeze-dried poop of lean people on overweight people.

This is not a totally new idea. Growing evidence is showing that gut bacteria has a lot of influence over your body weight. Having healthy gut bacteria might be connected to a thinner waistline. If this is true, could healthy bacteria be transferred to obese people through a capsule so the good bacteria could multiply and help them lose weight?

Oral fecal transplants have been successful in mice, according to the journal Science. Some studies that were published in 2013 found that diverse gut bacteria is beneficial in establishing a healthy weight. Interestingly, obesity is connected to less diversity in the digestive tract (Source: Women’s Health).

So what happens after you pop the poop pill? Do you magically drop a few pant sizes overnight? Not likely, the researchers say. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is the old fashioned way—diet and exercise. There will always be new theories of how to lose weight, but it really is all about the ratio of calories you put into your body compared to the calories you burn.

For those of you who may want to try freeze dried poop, you will have to exercise the virtue of patience. The pills are not approved for human consumption yet, but rest assured that we will give you the scoop on the poop just as soon as we hear something!

Colonoscopy Prep Tips that You Need to Know

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When it comes time to get a colonoscopy, it’ll be a no-brainer for me. I’m going to schedule one. I’m not 40 yet, but I’ve already had two mammograms. When I found out that my health insurance company paid for a mammogram each year but did not have any age requirement, I flashed my insurance card and signed the dotted line. I have four kids, and they depend on me to stay healthy so I can take care of them!

But just like anyone else, I get nervous when I have to have a new test or screening. I want to know how uncomfortable a procedure will be and how I should prepare for it. My favorite thing to do is to ask friends to share about their experience so I can benefit from their advice. Getting my first colonoscopy will be no different. Spare no details! Just tell me everything.

The Colon Cancer Alliance is a fantastic resource for all colon-related topics. One of my favorite pages is their Colonoscopy Prep Tips. Here are a few of the funny, practical tips that real people have shared to help people like you and me to have a positive colonoscopy experience and ease our anxiety.

One complaint that people have is how hungry they are on the prep day. Clear liquids are not very filling, so Glenda B. has this tip:

  • For supper, my husband heats up a can of chicken noodle soup and strains out the chicken and noodles. Tastes better than broth.

It might be a good idea for the rest of the family to go out to dinner on the night before your procedure. Nancy M. says:

  • Don’t let anybody cook anything. You can’t eat, and when you smell food, it makes you so hungry. 

Other people complain about the taste of the prep solution. Lynn B advises:

  • Mixing the Golytely with Orange Crystal light by the glass makes it so much more tolerable.

Prep solutions are meant to make you “go,” and it can take its toll on your derriere. Ashley H. says,

  • WET TOILET PAPER/BABY WIPES. Towards the end, your bum will be pretty sore. You will be happy to have some on hand. 

More advice for sore bottoms from Shanna B:

  • Diaper rash ointment!! You will get pretty sore. Use it right from the beginning and you will prevent the pain! 

Amy Jo E. has a great sense of humor and gives this suggestion:

  • Oh, don’t forget to “write” a nice note on your tush to surprise your doc. Hilarious!

Don’t let jitters keep you from getting a colonoscopy. By talking to friends about their colonoscopies, you can glean many prep tips from their experiences so that you can be confident and informed for your first procedure. Remember, it’s just one day of your life, but the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. You can do this, and so can I! I’m not saying that I am looking forward to my first colonoscopy, but when it’s time, I will be armed with plenty of tips and suggestions to put to good use!

Position Matters for Polyp Detection!

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What is your favorite sleeping position? Are you a back sleeper, side sleeper or belly sleeper? Researchers have analyzed sleeping positions for years to determine what position delivers the best breathing, quality rest and pain relief. Side sleepers comprise the largest group, according to a study by the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in London, equaling almost 41 percent of men and women. Side sleeping offers some of the best health benefits like minimizing back and hip pain and even reducing snoring (Source: Spry Living).

Did you know that there is a best position for a colonoscopy? A study published in the September 2015 issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found that when patients were positioned on their left side while the right side of their colons were examined, there was a higher polyp detection rate.

The study examined 130 patients between the ages of 40 and 80 who had a diagnostic colonoscopy between March 2012 and February 2014. Patients were placed in the supine position (on their backs) for the exam, followed by repositioning to their left side to examine the right side of the colon, or to their right side to examine the left side of the colon.

The data was clear that when patients were positioned on their left side, more polyps were detected compared to when they were in supine position. For patients who were positioned on the right, polyp detection rates were similar to rates when they were in supine position.

Why would the body’s position affect the polyp detection rate of the doctor? The authors of the study point out that changing position of the body could make certain portions of the colon more clearly visible and allow for optimal viewing. Even though the newly detected polyps were small, a physician may recommend more frequent colonoscopies in the future. Subsequently, the colonoscopy becomes an even stronger examination for surveillance and colon cancer prevention (Source: Outpatient Surgery).