Common colon cleansing practices used today:

To clean your colon of fecal matter and re-instate a healthy flora within your intestine you can choose to do several methods. The following are commonly used these days:

• The colon cleansing enema procedure: Colon enemas are self induced colon flushes. Specifically made enema bags can be bought from your drugstore and filled with about a gallon of tepid water (body temperature is best). To do the actual process you have to hang the enema bag up high somewhere in your bath, or shower. Anywhere were you can basically position yourself comfortably to insert the plastic insertion tip into your rectum.By flushing water through your colon it will be cleaned, restoring the healthy balance needed for functioning well.Many medical practitioners don’t approve of a colon cleansing enema practice. Their arguments range from being unsafe,  addictive and uncomfortable. It is also worth mentioning here that this practice only cleanses the lower part of the colon.
• Colonic procedure: A colonic procedure also uses the process of water. A colonic consists of multiple infusions of water throughout the procedure and is administered by a trained colon hydro-therapist. Opposed to doing an enema, during this process fecal matter is actually being flushed out via an inserted tube.At the end of the procedure the client will have to visit the toilet to pass residual stool and water. This type of colon cleansing is also called colon hydrotherapy.
• The third method of colon detoxification is to do a natural detox at home. This involves a specific, fiber-rich diet and plenty of water while cutting out all processed foods and refined sugars.

Each of the three methods outlined above are safe to use – although the enema is the least favored by most people – given you are being supervised by a qualified practitioner. Since colon care becomes easier the more often you do it, it can become quite addictive. You will soon start to appreciate the feeling of well-being that envelopes you after a colon cleansing session and crave it each time you feel constipated, or just not “quite right”.

Suggested Reading

• How can you Cleanse your Colon to Remove Candida?
• How To Cleanse The Colon
• The use of Psyllium Husk for Colon Cleansing
• Avoiding Colon Cleansing Trials
• General Tips for Colon Cleansing
• Losing Weight Through a Colon Cleansing Diet and Program
• What is an enema?
• What is a colonic?
• How Can Foods Heal Your Colon

The treatment options depend on the following:

• The stage of the cancer.
• Whether the cancer has recurred.
• The patient’s general health.

A staging process will be used to determine how advanced the cancer is.  As the cancer develops, it can spread through your tissues, through the lymphatic system and through the blood.  If the cancer enters your blood, it can then travel through your entire body.

The stages of cancer range from Stage 0, in which there are abnormal cells in the lining of the colon.  These cells may or may not be cancerous.  The stages can develop all the way to stage IV.  In Stage IV, the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes and may be spreading to the liver and lungs.

The primary treatment of colon cancer is to surgically remove part of your colon or at least all or part of the cancerous tumors.   If the cancer is found early, you may be able to have a local excision.  In this case, the doctor will place a tube through the rectum into the colon and cut the cancer out.

If the cancer is larger, a resection may be necessary.  A resection is also called a partial colectomy, which is removing the cancer and a small amount of the tissue or the colon around it.  During the surgery, you may also have lymph nodes remove to ensure that the cancer has not spread.

Once the surgery is over, chemotherapy may also be necessary.  Chemotherapy can stop the growth of cancer cells and can prolong survival for people whose cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.  There are numerous kinds of chemotherapy, including medications that are taken by mouth or drugs that are injected into the veins by an IV.  The type and need for chemotherapy also depends on the stage of the cancer.

Radiation treatment is another treatment to help people with cancer that involves using x-ray radiation to kill cancer cells.  It usually is only used for rectal cancer versus colon cancer.  If is possible to receive radiation before surgery and it may reduce the size of the tumor.  If the radiation does reduce the size of the tumor, you may have more luck in having it removed.

As there risks and side effects to all the various treatments, it is important to research your options.  First you should consider the side effects, life changes, financial aspects and follow-up treatments.  Your doctor should be able to provide a summary of each treatment and whether it is the best for your age and your current health.  If necessary, you can seek a second opinion or you can simply follow your doctor’s recommendations.  With everything else, research the facts and take your time with your decision.

Suggested Reading

• Colon Cancer and Your Diet

Constipation

If you have a bowel movement less than three times per week, you may need to make minor adjustments to your diet.  You may also need to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine.  Constipation can also be a symptom of colon cancer.  If you have a tumor located in your rectum, this can make it rather difficult for waste to get through, which may lead to constipation.

Thin Stool

After your stool is no longer in the slushy phase and it begins to take shape, how the stool looks as it leaves your body may provide beneficial clues to your colon health.  Thin stool may sometimes indicate that your waste is squeezed by some sort of obstacle in its path.  In the case of cancer, this may be a tumor in the colon or rectum.

Stomach Cramps

Tumors will sometimes lead to bowel obstructions.  This means your colon remains blocked.  This blockage may be rather severe or mild.  Solids, liquids and even gas may be prevented from passing through normally.  This may lead to abdominal cramping, which can be quite severe (particularly if the blood flow is restricted to the colon).  If someone is experiencing rather painful cramping, this may be an indication that a tumor has poked through the bowel wall, which is considered to be a medical emergency.

Bloody Stool

Typically speaking, tumors tend to bleed.  They do not usually bleed a whole lot or constantly, however, they do tend to bleed.  Some blood may be present in the stool during bowel movements.  For some individuals, this can be rather upsetting.  Most of the time, the blood will have dried and will be invisible to the naked eye, however, if the tumor in the rectum is towards the end of the colon, the blood may remain fresh and visible.  Therefore, if you see bright red blood in your stool, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Most of us don’t see weight loss as a particular problem.  Unfortunately, effortless weight loss is never a good thing!  This is usually a pretty good indication that there is something medically wrong with our bodies.  In the case of colon cancer, unexplained weight loss may be a sign that the tumor is releasing chemicals, which are increasing the patient’s metabolism.

Unusual Sense of Fullness

When a tumor is growing towards the end of the colon or in the rectum, this may cause a sense of fullness.  The human body senses that something is hanging around near the exit.  The individual may experience the constant sensation of needing to be relieved.

Nausea and Vomiting

There are a lot of different reasons why someone may be experiencing nausea and vomiting, however, it can also sometimes be a symptom of colon cancer.

Gas and Bloating

If you are experiencing recurring gas and bloating, this may be because a tumor is growing inside of your colon, occasionally causing blockage.  The tumor does not need to be very large, however, the stool may periodically get hung up, so to speak, while passing through.  When your bowel is blocked, air is trapped and you will feel bloated.  Once the blockage resolves itself, the air will need to be released, which will cause the individual to be gassy.

Lethargy

Sometimes, the presence of a tumor may make the individual feel fatigued and tired.  This is because the tumor may be causing a deficiency in iron, making the individual anemic.  It’s also because tumors tend to bleed, as mentioned above.  Tumors can turn into a fairly good sized bleed in the colon because there is a large amount of space there.  The blood will typically dry before leaving the body, which leaves the bleeding unnoticed.

Suggested Reading

• Are Babies Prone to Constipation?
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• General Tips Regarding Constipation
• How Do Toxins Buildup in Your Colon?
• What are the causes for constipation?
• The Basics of Constipation
• What are common colon problems that you can experience?
• Home Remedies for Constipation

Flax Seeds in Small Bowl

Your colon is your large intestine and it is your own personal waste management system for your body.  It is here that toxins can either healthily be removed or a clogged and unhealthy colon will allow the toxins to buildup.  You can easily modify your diet to create a healthier environment for your colon.  By eating the correct foods, you will be eliminating debris from your colon naturally.  If you are recurrently suffering from bacterial and fungal infections, your colon may be to blame!

Fiber

Fiber is extremely important when it comes to your colon.  Fiber can naturally be found in green leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, nuts and whole grain foods.  By eating a high-fiber diet, you’ll be supporting a healthier digestive system.  The fiber gets rid of negative debris from your colon as if it was being swept out by a broom.  Both soluble and insoluble fiber is important to your diet.  Soluble fiber increases valuable bacteria, producing natural antibiotics to eliminate harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and E-Coli.

At the top of the list for a health colon-friendly diet are flax seeds and oats.  They are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.  Just one tablespoon of flax seeds contains four to six grams of fiber!  Other good foods in this category include beans, peas, rice, barley, citrus, strawberry and apples.  You can get a good amount of insoluble fiber by eating whole wheat, rye, brown rice, barley, cabbage, beets, carrots, brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower and apples (with the skin).

Think Green!

Green foods are an excellent source of health for your colon!  Alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina and blue-grass algae are excellent choices.  These are all ideal foods for cleansing the colon naturally.  In addition to cleansing, these types of foods can also soothe and heal damaged tissue in the digestive tract, helping the body to obtain oxygen while drawing out toxins.

Water

Water is your next best friend when it comes to cleansing your colon naturally.  Water is very important to keeping our bodies lubricated and working properly.  Did you know that the human body is made up of 80 % water?  That’s a lot of water!  We need water to keep our vital organs working properly, but also to keep our joints lubricated and to make sure everything is functioning properly.  You should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day and it should be your beverage of choice before anything else.

Those suffering from an insufficient amount of water tend to be constipated and have high toxicity levels in their bowels.  Drink anywhere from six to ten glasses of healthy water a day.

Conclusion

Eat a diet high in healthy fiber and drink plenty of water.  By eating lots of green leafy vegetables and eating healthy fruit, you’ll be doing a good job keeping your colon clean of debris and toxins.

Suggested Reading

• Colon Cancer and Your Diet
• How can you Cleanse your Colon to Remove Candida?
• The Best Colon Detox Menu
• How can you safely cleanse your colon?
• Losing Weight Through a Colon Cleansing Diet and Program
• What are probiotics?
• What is a colonic?
• Why is Fiber so Important for Your Colon?
• How Can Foods Heal Your Colon
• What is colon disease?

An enema can safely treat constipation and promote digestive health.

An enema is used to remove feces when a person is constipated or impacted or to remove feces prior to a surgical procedure.  For example, sometimes a pregnant woman will be given an enema to empty their bowels before childbirth.

There are numerous kinds of enemas, most of which can be performed at home.  These can be purchased in a ready-made solution or you can make your own solution.

The easiest way to perform an enema is using a water mixture.  The amount of fluid will be determined by age.  For example, an adult will use 750 to 1,000 ccs of water.

To make an enema, you can use purified water.  This should be water that is around 105 degrees, a little warmer than body temperature.  You can also use a soap mixture, which would be water mixed with a soap mixture.  This soap can be any mild bath soap.  You may also at salt to the solution, which helps with the transfer of the water smoothly out of the colon.

To perform an enema at home, you will need to purchase necessary materials.  These can usually be purchased in a drug store and may be sold as a kit with a solution.  Most importantly if you are performing this procedure at home, make sure you have a clean environment.

When the enema is administered, you will be lying on the left side, which places the lower portion of bowel below the rectum and facilitates infusion of fluid.  Using a lubricant, you will insert a nozzle into your rectum that will allow you to release the liquids.  The solution will flush through your colon releasing the excess waste.  You should allow enough time to complete this procedure, as after the solution enters your system, you will need to make frequent trips to the bathroom to ensure all waste is removed.

Enemas were used often in the past.  Now it is not necessarily a recommended treatment.  A physician would likely place you on medications, use supplements or revise your diet before using an enema.  However, if you find this route is the best route to completely cleanse your colon, you may also want to consider a colonic.

A colonic differs from an enema in many ways.  First a colonic is able to cleanse the entire colon, whereas the enema cleans the lower portion.  With a colonic, the feces are removed almost automatically through tubing; an enema simply moves the feces and requires you to have a bowel movement to remove the excess.  And finally, a colonic requires a trained professional, where an enema can be performed at home by you.

As with all medications and procedures, you should consult your physician before performing an enema.  You should ensure that an enema is safe for you and for your conditions.

Suggested Reading

• How can you Cleanse your Colon to Remove Candida?
• How to Make Your Own Colon Cleanser?
• How Safe Is Colon Cleansing?
• What is a colonic?
• Foods and Your Colon: What to Avoid and What to Eat

So now you know what the colon is, what exactly is a colonic and why would you need one?

A colonic is a flush of water into the rectum to cleanse and flush the colon.  To do this, a colon therapist will insert a speculum and plastic hose into the anus.  Through this hose, warm filtered water will be slowly released.  The water will cause the muscles of the colon to contract and push feces out through the hose.  The feces are accumulated in a closed waste system to be disposed of.

During the treatment, the therapist may lightly massage the abdominal area to help move the process along.  After the session, you will be able to sit properly on the toilet to remove any extra water or feces.  The whole procedure typically takes from 45 minutes to an hour.

Unfortunately, there are some side effects; one of the biggest may be embarrassment, as this is an awkward procedure.  During the procedure, you may have discomfort in the abdomen, while the water is flushing through your colon.  After the procedure, you may experience nausea and fatigue, as this is somewhat stressful on the body.  As a warning, if you are pregnant, you should not have this procedure.  Further, if you have colon diseases such as Crohn’s, diverticulitis or ulcers, you should also not have this procedure done.

You can have a colonic performed by a trained doctor or nurse; however, as this may be considered an alternative medical treatment, you may want to see a colon specialist.  In particular, there are hydro therapists that specialize in performing this procedure.

In preparation for the procedure, the day before it is recommended that you eat light, usually fruits and vegetables are best.  On the day of your colonic you need to continue to eat light or not at all.  You cannot eat food or drink water one to two hours before your colonic.

The purpose of a colonic is to remove accumulated waste from the colon, prevent constipation and to improve overall health.  It is thought that feces can accumulate in the colon and harden creating more problems, such as constipation.  Further, it is believed that a build-up in the colon can prevent the body from being able to get the nutrients it needs.

However, there are many disputes within the medical profession as to whether colonics are useful or necessary.  The colon can be cleansed and constipation can be prevented in a more natural way, such as increasing fiber in your diet and eliminating excess sugar.

Suggested Reading

• How Safe Is Colon Cleansing?
• How can you Cleanse your Colon to Remove Candida?
• The Colon Health Diet
• What is an enema?
• What are probiotics?
• Why is Fiber so Important for Your Colon?
• How Can Foods Heal Your Colon
• What is colon disease?

Assortment of High Fiber Foods

The colon is a very important part of your digestive system and your waste elimination.  The colon is a tube shaped structure that starts where the small intestine ends and extends down to the anus.  In an adult, it can be approximately 5 feet long.  The job of the colon is to remove water and nutrients from your food and store the rest as waste, moving it out of your system.  And unfortunately, there are many problems that can plague the colon.  These problems can range from inflammation in the colon to colon cancer.

The cause of colon problems is unclear, but can range from an infection to genetics.

One common colon problem is colitis, which is simply inflammation of the colon.  This inflammation alone can be caused by many different conditions.  To explain a few, it can be caused by bacteria entering the colon, such as with a food poisoning.  Second, you could have inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, which can lead to inflammation.  Third you can suffer from Crohn’s disease, which can cause inflammation.

As relates to each of these colon conditions, they may be caused by various other things.  A common digestive problem related to the colon is irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.  There is no known cause for IBS, but there has been speculation.  It is thought that the symptoms of IBS may be caused by food allergies or sensitivities, stress or genetics.

Diverticulitis is caused by increased pressure in the intestinal wall.  As you get older, the layers of the intestinal walls thicken and narrow.  Because of this, the feces move more slowly through the colon.

Another cause of many digestive and bowel problems is diet.  A healthy diet is important in all aspects of life; however it can be vital to your bowels and digestive system.  It is important to have a diet high in fiber which helps with regular bowel movements.

The cause of ulcerative colitis is also unknown.  There are risk factors, which have been considered as possible causes.  One of these is genetics, as there is a high degree of symptoms between family members, especially a first degree relative like a parent or sibling.

Once you figure out the cause of your pain and problem, you should do what you can to prevent it from reoccurring.  For example, it has been studied and proven that certain foods can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.  If this is your case, then you should remove those foods entirely from your diet.

Additionally, there are simple preventative measures you can take.  These would include eating a high fiber diet.  Fiber promotes regular bowel movements and can help prevent constipation.  Drink plenty of water, which can help with regular bathroom visits.  Avoid the use of laxatives.  Laxatives can make problems worse, as they may interfere with regular bowel activities.

There are many causes of bowel and colon problems.  The key is to attempt to narrow down your cause and try to prevent it from occurring on a regular basis.

Suggested Reading

• What is colon disease?
• What are common colon problems that you can experience?
• How Do Pumpkin Seeds Cleanse Parasites?
• The use of Psyllium Husk for Colon Cleansing
• What are the affects of prolonged Candida infections?
• How can you safely cleanse your colon?
• What Foods Promote Constipation?
• What are probiotics?

First, what is the colon?

The colon is a tube shaped structure that goes from the where the small intestine ends and extends down to the anus.  In an adult, it measures approximately 5 feet long.  The job of the colon is to remove water and nutrients from your food and store the rest as waste, moving it out of your system.

There are four main diseases of the colon, including Diverticulitis, ulcercerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and polyps.  Although they all affect your colon and your digestion, you may experience different symptoms for each condition.

Diverticulitis occurs when pockets inside the colon bulge outward and the pockets become infected.  The most common symptoms of diverticulitis is abdominal pain and tenderness along the left side of the lower abdomen.  Additionally, if this condition advances to a severe infection, which is possible, you can have a fever, nausea, vomiting and cramping.  These symptoms can become severe if your infection increases without treatment.

The treatment for diverticulitis is likely a high fiber diet to help improve your waste elimination and pain medications.  If the condition is serious, it may require a surgery.  Diverticulitis can be caused by constipation and may have some genetic factors.

Ulcerative colitis is another disease that causes inflammation and sores.  These sores are called ulcers.  An ulcer occurs when inflammation kills the cells that line the colon.  The ulcers can bleed and produce pus inside your body.  These symptoms are similar to Crohn’s disease, so it may be a problem to diagnose between the two.  Ulcers may also be hereditary or can also be stress related or related to other medical conditions.

The most common symptom for ulcerative colitis is abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.  You can develop this condition at any age, but it can usually start at ages 15 to 30 or 50 to 70.  The treatment for colitis depends on the severity and usually includes drug therapy, usually surgery is not required.

Similarly with Crohn’s disease, you develop inflammation usually is the lower part of the small intestine.  The symptoms of Crohn’s are abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen and diarrhea, similar to ulcerative colitis.  The treatment again is usually drug therapy and possible nutritional vitamins or supplements.  And as always, surgery is a possibility as the condition advances.

Finally, another colon disease you can develop is polyps.  Polyps are abnormal growths that develop throughout the body.  These polyps are not visible and usually aren’t detected until you are checking for some other condition or problem you are having.  However, there are symptoms, which include bleeding from the anus or blood in the stool.  Some polyps may be found to be cancerous.  To remove a polyp, you usually will have to undergo a surgical procedure.

Suggested Reading

• What causes colon problems?
• The Colon Health Diet
• What are probiotics?
• What is a colonic?
• Why is Fiber so Important for Your Colon?
• How Can Foods Heal Your Colon

Woman drinking water

The colon is a 5 foot tube within your body that has the important job of eliminating waste from the food you digest.  Since it is such a prominent part of your body, it can develop many conditions and problems of its own.  These can range from conditions that produce food allergies such as Celiac disease to ulcers, which cause severe pain and may require surgical correction.

Some of the problems you can have related to the colon include constipation, diarrhea, heartburn or irritable bowel syndrome.

Constipation occurs when you are unable to have a bowel movement on a regular basis or when the stool remains in the intestines too long and the stool becomes hard or dry making it difficult to pass.  It can be caused by having a low fiber diet or having digestive problems.  There are easy ways to relieve constipation.  The easiest ones that are available to everyone are to eat a high fiber diet and to drink plenty of water.  It is also important to use the restroom whenever you feel the need and to take your time to allow your body to eliminate all waste.

Diarrhea is the opposite of constipation.  You may experience loose and watery stools that occur on a regular basis often many times a day.  If you have diarrhea you may have difficulty controlling your bowel movements, abdominal cramps or dehydration.  You can get diarrhea very commonly.  It can be caused by a bacteria in your system, certain foods or certain digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

Another common condition is heartburn.  Heartburn is a burning feeling in the middle of your chest that is usually caused by stomach acids moving upwards from the stomach into your esophagus.  This can also be called acid reflux, which is another common digestive disorder.  To alleviate heartburn, you should watch your diet.  There may be certain foods that are causing this condition, such as alcohol or fatty foods.  Along with changing your diet, make sure you don’t eat before going to bed and always sit up after eating.

Finally, a very common disorder suffered by millions of Americans is irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.  This is a disorder or condition, not really a disease.  The symptoms are great including abdominal pain or discomfort, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation. With IBS, the bowels do not function properly.  If you have IBS, you may have nerves that are ultra sensitive or you may have muscles that contract too much when you eat.  The actual cause is not known.

To treat IBS, you will change your diet to reduce foods that are causing problems, such as fatty foods, milk products and alcohol.  You should also alleviate stress, as that can be an exacerbation of digestive problems.  Finally you may also need medications to help alleviate the symptoms.

The most important thing with all digestive issues are a healthy balanced diet that is high in fiber.  You should reduce the fatty foods, reduce the caffeine, and reduce alcohol intake.

Additionally, as always you should consult your physician if you have any of these problems.  Your doctor will be able to provide a proper diagnosis.

Suggested Reading

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• What are probiotics?
• What causes colon problems?
• How Do Pumpkin Seeds Cleanse Parasites?
• Are Babies Prone to Constipation?
• What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?
• What are the affects of prolonged Candida infections?
• General Tips Regarding Constipation
• How do intestinal parasites cause digestive issues?
• How Do Toxins Buildup in Your Colon?

Green Tea Leaf

Garlic

Garlic is known somewhat of a wonder herb.  It has been used throughout time to rid the body of bacterial and fungal infections.  By adding more garlic to your diet, you may be naturally cleansing your colon.  Garlic can help prevent certain types of cancers, fungal infections and bacterial infections.  You can take garlic supplements and/or incorporate a hefty amount of healthy garlic into your diet and decrease your chances for developing colon cancer.

Green Tea

Green tea is packed full of antioxidants and is great for your immune system!  Green tea consumption on a regular basis can help reduce a person’s risk for developing colon cancer.

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract can help slow the progression of cancer cells in the colon, according to recent studies.  If you have a history of colon cancer in your family, add grape seed extract to your diet.

Turmeric

It has long since been used to treat ailments of the skin and to help reduce swelling, but it is also good for cleansing your colon!  It is a fundamental ingredient in curry and can help fight colon cancer.  Try taking a supplement that contains turmeric to help reduce polyps adhering to the walls of the colon.

Ginger

Ginger is great for nausea and can naturally aid your digestion.  It is a spice which is an important part of many different dishes.  It has been proven to enhance colon health time and time again.  Recent studies show that adding quantities of ginger to your diet can help fight cancer cells.  You can also take ginger as a supplement or in tablet form, however, ginger digests better and is absorbed into the body when eaten naturally.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is vital to your overall health and many different ailments and health conditions can be blamed on a vitamin D deficiency.  When we spend a sufficient amount of time in the sun, our bodies naturally create a good amount of vitamin D.  One study shows that for those individuals who live in the colder climates, spending just 15 to 20 minutes a day in the sun during the warm summer months is beneficial enough to the body to create vitamin D for the entire 12 months of the year.  Make sure to wear sunscreen.  You don’t want to fight one kind of cancer by creating another!

Calcium

We all know how beneficial calcium is to the human body.  Unfortunately, we don’t all get nearly enough calcium!  You can get additional calcium by taking it in supplement form.  Those who are lactose intolerant should be taking calcium supplements on a daily basis.  Calcium is essential for strong bones and joints and is not something which should be ignored or forgotten!

Suggested Reading

• Colon Cancer and Your Diet
• Supplements for Colon Cleansers