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What are Colon Polyps?

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Colon cancer affects 1 in 20 Americans, and it all begins with a tiny polyp. Small clumps of cells, called polyps, begin to form on the lining of the colon. Usually, these cells are benign, but many polyps can develop into cancer if they are not removed. If left to develop, colon polyps can advance into colon cancer and spread throughout the body.

Although most cases of colon cancer occur in individuals above the age of 50, anyone at any age can develop a polyp. There are specific risk factors that increase the risk for developing polyps. Some of these risk factors are:

  • Family history of colon cancer
  • Personal history of colon polyps
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • Age—over 50 years of age

There are three types of colon polyps:

  1. Adenomatous. About 66 percent of all polyps are adenomatous. Only a small percentage of polyps become cancerous, but most all malignant polyps are adenomatous.
  2. Serrated. These polyps may become cancerous depending on their size and location in the colon.
  3. Inflammatory. These polyps may result from a flare-up of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. People who have these two types of IBD are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer someday.

One of the most important facts to remember about colon polyps is that they do not cause pain. Most often, colon polyps do not have any associated symptoms, so it is important to have regular colon screenings. If everything goes smoothly at your colonoscopy, you will not have to worry about scheduling another procedure for ten years! If you have not scheduled a colonoscopy and you are due for a screening, you can Find a Screening Center near you today!

How Can I Tell if It’s Colon Cancer or Hemorrhoids?

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With the help of Web MD, it is a temptation to research every ailment and self-diagnose. Health websites can be a helpful resource, but they can also encourage us to jump to conclusions. Two conditions that can often be mistaken for one another are colorectal cancer and hemorrhoids. Both conditions are common among Americans. One in every 20 Americans (5 percent) will develop colon cancer in his or her lifetime, and about 4.4 percent of Americans are affected by hemorrhoids (Source: Live Science).

Even though colorectal cancer and hemorrhoids may have some similar symptoms such as blood in the stool, their treatments are quite different. Here are a few characteristics of each condition.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor in the colon or the rectum. Most cases of colorectal cancer begin as small clusters of benign cells called polyps, but they can develop into cancer if they are not removed during a colonoscopy. Symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:

  • Stools that are not round in shape but are thinner and pencil-like.
  • Anal tenesmus, or the feeling of constantly needing to pass stool.
  • Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation.
  • Weight loss and fatigue.
  • Abdominal pain, cramping, and possible nausea and vomiting.

Colorectal cancers are most often diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50 (although young onset colon cancer incidence is increasing). Family history and syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer can also contribute to colorectal cancer risk.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal and rectal wall. When the vessels and surrounding tissues become inflamed, they often enlarge and protrude. Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external, but both types may produce bleeding. If left untreated, hemorrhoids could cause anemia, infection, anal spasm, increased pain, ulceration, abdominal pain, and discomfort when sitting down or lying down. External hemorrhoids may prolapse and cause increased irritation and itching.

Hemorrhoids are generally caused by specific conditions or activities. Several circumstances or habits may cause hemorrhoids such as:

  • Pregnancy
  • Stress
  • Sedentary work and lack of exercise
  • Constipation and straining
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Spicy food

Because colorectal cancer and hemorrhoids are common among Americans and they have similar symptoms in early stages, they can be mistaken for one another or misdiagnosed. If you experience any rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. Early detection means early treatment. For hemorrhoids, this means early relief and better health. For colorectal cancer, it could mean saving your life (Source: Vitality).

Benefits of Probiotics After a Colonoscopy

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The purpose of a bowel cleanse is to completely empty your intestines to allow your gastroenterologist to get a clear view of the lining of your colon. A colonoscopy can detect precancerous polyps and lesions while they are still treatable. If allowed to grow, benign polyps may become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body, so it is important to prepare thoroughly.

There are many benefits to a colon cleanse. Getting rid of toxins and harmful bacteria that have made themselves at home in your colon is a welcome side effect. However, there are some drawbacks to an empty colon as well. Our intestines contain billions of beneficial bacteria, often known as gut flora, that naturally neutralize toxins, discourage bad yeast, stimulate digestion and help boost immunity. A colon cleanse can wipe out the healthy and the unhealthy microbes, so you may want to consider taking probiotics after a colonoscopy. Probiotics can help rebuild colonies of beneficial gut flora to help your intestines reestablish the balance of your digestive system (Source: Livestrong).

Here are a few steps that you can take to gently and naturally replenish your gut flora through probiotics:

  1. Eat yogurt and kefir that is high in probiotics for several days after your colonoscopy. Make sure that the label says that there are billions of live cultures contained.
  2. Take a probiotic supplement in the morning on an empty stomach. Talk to your doctor before choosing a probiotic so he or she can give you the best recommendation.
  3. Eat a diet rich in prebiotics. These are foods like fruits, vegetables, oats and whole grains that are high in fiber and feed probiotic bacteria.
  4. Avoid processed foods, wheat products, sugar, hydrogenated fats, alcohol and high fructose corn syrup for several days after your colonoscopy. These foods promote the growth of harmful organisms in the body that compete with healthy gut flora.

Coconut Oil and Colon Health

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Is there anything that says summer more than coconut? Coconut shampoos, lotions, sunscreen, air fresheners, and candles are available at every store. And then there’s all the tasty ways to use the coconut in food. Pina coladas, coconut cakes and coconut cream pies are popular favorites, just to name a few.

The coconut is not just limited to aroma and taste, though. There are a myriad of uses and health benefits of the coconut. Coconut oil is full of minerals, vitamins and amino acids that can assist in digestive disorders, viruses and bacterial and fungal infections. More research needs to be done, but coconut oil has long been a friend of the colon and has been known to aid in the digestive process (Source: LiveStrong).

Properties of coconut oil

Coconut is a good source of nutrition and fiber. Coconut oil is unique because it is comprised of medium chain triglycerides and not long chains of triglycerides. The shorter chain helps improve nutrient absorption and eliminate parasite infections. The antimicrobial properties in coconut oil help prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungal infections like candidiasis. Cleansing your colon with coconut oil can help restore lost vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Coconut oil and digestion

Not only does coconut oil help to clean the colon but it can help prevent digestive and nutritional diseases. Coconut oil has been especially helpful in relieving symptoms of Crohn’s disease. A digestive disorder that starts in the ileum, Crohn’s disease inflames the digestive tract and causes ulcers, fistulas, infections and diarrhea. According to Healthy Ways Newsletter, the short chains of fatty acids in the fiber of coconut meat can help sufferers of Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel disease and can help the digestive system absorb nutrients more efficiently. This is because the shorter chains of fatty acids puts less stress on the pancreas and digestive system.

Adding more coconut to your diet

There are many foods and supplements that we don’t want to add to our diet, but adding more coconut should be easy unless you do not prefer the taste. Taking a coconut oil supplement each day should help your digestion, but you can also try to eat more coconut too. Try sprinkling some toasted coconut on yogurt, cereal or granola. Dried coconut can also be a chewy, nutritious snack. Give the coconut a try! And while you’re at it, check out the Recipe section of the butt seriously blog to learn about new and tasty recipes for your colon health.

Stay Hydrated and Improve Colon Health

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In an interview with People magazine, Heather Locklear’s close friend and makeup artist, Lisa Ashley, reveals that Heather has a rather unique nickname. “We call her Camel because she can go so long without drinking water. I don’t even know how her skin stays looking so pretty.”

In truth, a lot of us have the tendency to be like Heather Locklear. No, I’m not talking about the sultry eyes or the perfectly toned legs. I’m talking about the habit of going without water a lot longer than we should.

According to a recent report by CBS, up to 75 percent of Americans don’t drink enough water throughout the day, which means they are living in a chronic state of dehydration. While we might think we are taking in plenty of fluids as we sip on coffee, tea or soda, what many of us don’t realize is that these drinks actually have a dehydrating effect on the body. Caffeinated beverages are diuretics, meaning they promote water loss. So while you sip away on that gas station Big Gulp or venti Starbucks latte, your body is actually losing out on the fluids it needs to perform properly.

You might remember from your seventh grade science class that 60 percent of the human body is composed of water, so it’s easy to see why hydration is so important. Water is a key component that allows the body to carry out its daily functions, such as absorbing vitamins and nutrients, detoxifying the liver and kidneys, and carrying away waste (Source: Medical Daily). Adequate hydration is also particularly important for colon health.

The colon is responsible for removing liquid from digested food so stool can be formed and eliminated from the body. This continual passage of waste keeps the colon naturally clean, but when the body doesn’t receive an adequate water supply, constipation can occur. Drinking more water throughout the day helps to keep the colon clean, increase overall function and improve regularity (Source: LIVESTRONG).

It will take some time to grow accustomed to drinking more water throughout the day – especially if you’re not a big fan of H2O in the first place – but there are ways to make it a little easier to increase your fluid intake. Follow these steps to keep your body hydrated morning, noon and night:

Keep water readily available – Purchase an eco-friendly reusable water bottle that you can fill throughout the day. This will make it easy to always have water within reach whether you’re in the car, at the office, in the gym or at home.

Measure your intake – The general rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in fluid ounces. For example, a 130-pound individual should drink 65 fluid ounces of water per day, roughly the equivalent of 8 cups. Water bottles with marked measurements make it easy to track your daily intake. But even if your bottle isn’t marked, you can always write measurements in with permanent marker.

Try infused water – If you don’t like the taste (or lack thereof) of plain water, infused water can be a game-changer. Add slices of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to your water bottle for some added color and flavor. Have fun experimenting with different combinations like cucumber melon, grapefruit mint and lemon rosemary.

Use a reminder app – Our phones can do pretty much anything these days, and that includes providing helpful reminders to drink more water. Apps like Waterlogged, Daily Water Free and Water Your Body allow you to set reminders to drink water and allow you to record the amount consumed.

Dilute beverages – If you’re not ready to give up your favorite drinks cold turkey, try diluting them with one part water. Tea, fruit juice and lemonade can still be delicious even at half strength, and you can use sparkling water for some extra kick.

Eat hydrating foods – If you just can’t bring yourself to drink water by the glassful, you can still increase your fluid intake by eating foods with a high water content. Snack on cucumber slices (they’re over 96 percent water!), celery sticks, watermelon cubes or strawberries.

Increasing your water intake is great for your body but it can be a big adjustment. Be patient with yourself as you work towards this healthy new habit, and cut yourself some slack if you fall short of your daily goals. What matters most is that you’re working towards a hydrated body and a healthier colon. Bottoms up!

Low-Fiber Dinner: Provolone Stuffed Chicken Breast with White Rice

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The kids are home, the homework is done and now it’s time for dinner. The only issue? You’ve been advised to eat a low-fiber diet, but you need a meal that the whole family can eat. There’s a solution to this problem, and no, it does not involve becoming a short order cook.

Provolone stuffed chicken breast served with white rice will be appealing to your entire family while fulfilling your pre-colonoscopy dietary requirements. If brown rice is normally on your dinner plate, white rice may just be a welcome change. Or if you eat white rice regularly, this will be a yummy way to spice up a favorite dish.

Putting cheese in the chicken breast before baking it makes dinner more exciting, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out while eating a small amount of fiber. One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. You can add different items to your chicken breast each time. Get creative. Stuff chicken with Swiss cheese or maybe spinach for a different flavor. This is a meal that will get a stamp of approval from your doctor – and your family.

Ingredients:

  • 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup organic Panko crumbs
  • 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups white rice
  • 12 oz. box Pacific Natural Foods Organic Condensed Soup, Cream of Chicken

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Set out two medium bowls. In the first bowl, beat eggs and add a little salt and pepper. In the second bowl, combine Panko crumbs and parmesan cheese. Set both bowls aside.
  3. Lightly pound each chicken breast to make thinner. Place a slice of provolone cheese on each breast and roll it tightly, laying them seam-side down.
  4. Dip each chicken breast in egg mixture and then Panko crumbs and cheese. Place them seam down in a large shallow glass dish.
  5. Bake for 35 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer.
  6. When the chicken is close to being done, prepare the white rice with the cream of chicken soup as the liquid instead of water.
  7. Serve chicken on top of rice.

Low Fiber Breakfast Muffins

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When you’re told to go on a low fiber diet, one of your first thoughts may be, “How do I go about doing that?” It’s easy to find recipes with a high fiber content, especially when high fiber is used as a selling feature for many products. But sometimes, a low fiber diet is recommended before undergoing a colonoscopy or to help a digestive issue.

This type of diet limits the kinds of vegetables, fruit and grains you can eat. It does not, however, limit your quality of food. Low fiber does not mean low flavor.

One way you can cut down on the amount of fiber you’re eating is to start off with a good breakfast. Turkey sausage, spinach, eggs and cheese make a great combination for muffins. They are just what the doctor ordered—literally. The eggs and cheese have zero fiber with 100 percent taste, while the spinach and sausage have a small amount of fiber. (Always read food labels to make sure the fiber content of the product you are purchasing is low.)

These muffins can be made Sunday night and eaten throughout the week. If they are stored in an air tight container, they reheat in the microwave nicely. They also don’t have a lot of calories, so you’re getting low calories and low fiber. That’s two for the price of one.

Low Fiber Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients:

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup chopped frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
  • 5 sausage links
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
  • Salt
  • Cooking oil

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is warming, spray muffin pan with cooking oil.
  2. Squeeze out any excess liquid from spinach. Set aside.
  3. In a skillet, brown the turkey sausage links and cut into small pieces.
  4. Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate cheese, spinach and sausage. Sprinkle with salt.
  5. Fill six muffin cups with the egg mixture and bake 25 minutes or until sides are golden brown.

Pre-Colonoscopy Diet Could Be More Indulgent Than You Think

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I’ve always loved a good excuse to cheat on my diet. I’m not talking about a planned cheat day or special holiday celebrations like birthdays and Christmas. I’m talking about those times when you have a legitimate reason to eat something just a little bit sinful. After having my wisdom teeth removed, I was placed on a strict diet of popsicles and milkshakes for the first 24 hours – fine by me! When I was in the hospital after delivering my son, the night shift nurse would bring ice cream with my medication because she insisted it needed to be taken with food – who am I to argue? And of course, my favorite part of marathon training was that blessed week before the race known as carb week. In hindsight, I’m not sure how much that plate of fettuccini alfredo helped me cross the finish line, but I like to think it helped a little.

It’s nice to have an excuse every now and then to do something we normally wouldn’t allow ourselves to do. And if you’re scheduled for a colonoscopy, you’ve got a great excuse! Some doctors now prescribe a low-fiber diet 4 to 5 days prior to a colonoscopy to aid in the colon preparation process. Yes, I’m talking about refined carbohydrates, fatty dressings and sweet, creamy desserts.

Fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods that creates bulk in stool and leaves a high amount of digestive residue. When you have a colonoscopy, your entire colon must be clear in order for your doctor to obtain a clear visual and perform a thorough exam. Eliminating high fiber foods from your diet several days prior to your colonoscopy minimizes the production of waste. This increases your chances of achieving a successful bowel preparation and a receiving high-quality colonoscopy (Source: LIVESTRONG).

It might seem a little ironic that doctors would prescribe a low-fiber diet for colonoscopies when a high-fiber diet is recommended to prevent colon cancer, but keep in mind that this is a temporary dietary change. A high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes is still an important part of a healthy lifestyle that prevents colon cancer.

If your doctor has prescribed a low-fiber diet in preparation for your colonoscopy, there is a wide variety of foods you can eat. Here are some items that can stay on your low-fiber pre-colonoscopy menu:

Dairy

  • Milk or buttermilk
  • Cream
  • Hot chocolate
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Sour cream

Grains

  • Refined breads and baked goods
  • White rice
  • Low-fiber cereal
  • Plain crackers without seeds

Lean Meat

  • Poultry
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Veal
  • Seafood
  • Eggs

Fruits and vegetables

  • Canned or cooked fruits and vegetables without seeds or skin
  • Applesauce
  • Ripe cantaloupe and honeydew (no watermelon)

Fats and oils

  • Butter or margarine
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salad Dressing
  • Vegetable and other oils

Desserts

  • Ice cream
  • Custard
  • Sherbet or sorbet without seeds
  • Pudding or Jell-O
  • Refined cookies or cakes without nuts or seeds (Source: Group Health)

Even if a food appears on your safe list, it is still important to check food labels and ingredients. Some items such as yogurt and ice cream may contain nuts, seeds or whole pieces of fruit.

Preparing for a colonoscopy is never fun, but with a low-fiber diet, you can at least treat yourself to some foods that wouldn’t normally make it on your plate. With adequate preparation and a successful exam, you won’t have to repeat the process for an entire decade, so it’s worth getting it right the first time around. Make a commitment to yourself to do your absolute best when preparing for your colonoscopy, and give yourself the gift of good health for many years to come.

Creamy Alfredo Sauce With or Without Butter

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They are sayings we have all heard before: “A little dab will do ya” and “Moderation is key.” While these phrases are used for different areas of life, they can also apply to the use of butter. Many people avoid this food like the plague because too much could be detrimental to your health. However, a little dab and a little moderation could lead you to healthier diet. Before you double check the title to make sure you’re still reading a health blog, check out some of the benefits of butter. It has immune-boosting vitamins that could help prevent the growth of cancer cells. It also contains calcium along with vitamins A, D and K, which fights cavities and prevents tooth decay.

So, while you don’t want to pile on the butter every day, it is ok to cook with it from time to time. One way you can use it is with this homemade Alfredo sauce. Putting butter in your sauce makes it rich and creamy. It also satisfies that desire we all have for comfort food.

There’s more good news. You can skip the butter altogether (moderation is key, remember?) and have a homemade sauce that is just as fulfilling. Just replace the butter with avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil.

The texture is slightly different, but the great taste remains the same.

Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of salted butter
  • 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
  • ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 1 cup low fat milk
  • 4 tablespoons unbleached, all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Directions:

  1. Heat skillet on medium heat with butter and garlic. Monitor carefully to prevent scalding.
  2. Add chicken broth and milk to butter and garlic and whisk together.
  3. Whisk in the flour 1 tablespoon at a time and stir until smooth.
  4. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring slowly. Add parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Sprinkle parsley flakes into the sauce and stir. (The sauce will thicken while it sits. Add a little more milk if is too thick for your liking or add more flour or parmesan cheese if you would like it creamier).
  6. Pour over your choice of pasta and enjoy!

8 Colon Cancer Symptoms that Men Should Not Ignore

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Men are notorious for not going to the doctor, whether it is for a routine physical, a sick visit or a screening. However, when it comes to colon cancer, a visit to the doctor could be the best decision you ever make. According to Livescience, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 51,783 Americans died from colon cancer in 2011, which makes colon cancer the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Screening tests like a colonoscopy may not sound pleasant, but they can offer the best view of the colon to determine whether you have a colon polyp which could develop into colon cancer.

Even though colon cancer is often accompanied by no symptoms at all, there are several warning signs that you should recognize (Source: Newsmax). If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment right away with your doctor to be examined:

  1. Changes in bowel habits—Long, pencil-like stools could indicate a bowel obstruction. Thin stools that are recurrent could mean that there is a problem.
  2. Blood in the stool—Stools can be red, purple, maroon or black and tarry in appearance. Do not assume that blood is from hemorrhoids.
  3. Cramps and bloating—Occasional cramps or bloating associated with gas is common, but persistent abdominal pain needs to be analyzed by your doctor.
  4. Diarrhea or constipation—These are opposite problems, but the both can be a symptom of colon cancer if they are both happening frequently.
  5. Feeling like your bowel is not empty—A blockage can make you feel like you have not fully eliminated your bowel.
  6. Fatigue—Cancer cell growth can make you feel exhausted and run down, so tell your doctor if you feel a dramatic decrease in energy or endurance.
  7. Unexpected weight loss—The presence of a tumor may cause you to lose your appetite, which results in weight loss.
  8. Shortness of breath—Cancer slows the body down, making you feel excessively weak and out of breath.

If something doesn’t seem right, you should at least put in a call to your doctor. Don’t try to diagnose your condition on the internet or ask friends what they would do in your situation. Consult your doctor and be willing to make an appointment if necessary. It will mean peace of mind–or early intervention.