Good Gut Bugs, Happy Colon

When it comes to our overall health and wellness, it’s all about the gut! When I say “gut,” I am basically referring to the stomach and intestines, where trillions of microbes (more commonly called “gut bugs”) live. This community of bugs is called the gut microbiome.

It’s Not the Sexiest Topic, But Let’s Discuss Colonoscopies

I had my first colonoscopy when I turned 50 in 2010. So recently I decided I was due for a follow up since I am about to turn 60!

Red Meat Consumption Linked to Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer. How Much is Too Much?

George Bernard Shaw, a famous Irish playwright, author and political activist born in 1856 once said, "The average age of a meat-eater is 63. I am on the verge of 85 and still at work as hard as ever. I have lived quite long enough and am trying to die; but I simply cannot do it. A single beef-steak; would finish me; but I cannot bring myself to swallow it. I am oppressed with a dread of living forever. That is the only disadvantage of vegetarianism."

You’re Not Too Young to Get Colorectal Cancer!

If you do a simple Google search of “colorectal cancer and young people,” you will see far too many recent stories about people under the age of 40 afflicted by this type of cancer. It is reportedly the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. It is also the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American people, according to the American Cancer Society.

Could Lack of Colorectal Screenings be to Blame for the Spike in Cancer Rates Under 50?

Colorectal cancer may be most prevalent among people over the age of 50, but that doesn’t mean younger people are immune to it. In the late 90s, Katie Couric and husband Jay Monahan learned he had colon cancer. He died nine months later at the age of 42. Since then, Couric has been a dedicated advocate for colon cancer screenings. If you’re over 50, there’s a good chance your doctor has already talked to you about colonoscopies and the importance of screening for colorectal cancer.

Are You Proactive with Screenings for Colorectal Cancer?

March is colorectal cancer month, and each year at this time I am reminded it took the life of my brother at the age of 65. What is even more intriguing is for years prior to his death, he was told by doctors to get a colonoscopy but he never did. I do not think he really appreciated the importance of getting a colonoscopy until after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Like many of us, he did not take the time to focus on preventive health care because he had no apparent symptoms. There appears to be a human tendency to generally wait until we are sick or have symptoms before we focus on our health.

Be proactive with screenings for colorectal cancer

If you are middle aged, there’s a good chance your doctor has mentioned the C word to you -- colonoscopy. Why? Because of that other C word -- cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). In 2016, an estimated 134,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease, and about 49,000 will die from it.

Colonics: Super detox or super dangerous?

Colonics have been surrounded with controversy over the years, with many celebrities endorsing the practice. But is this invasive process of detoxification as good for you as it seems? Sometimes called colonic irrigation or hydrotherapy, a colonic refers to the practice of placing a tube into the rectum; this tube is then attached to special equipment through which large amounts of water, sometimes mixed with herbs or other substances, are introduced into the colon (large intestine) for the purpose of removing waste matter.

What you need to know about Crohn's disease

In a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel diseases, which includes ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease distinguishes itself by its autoimmune attack on the full thickness of the intestine. That is, the body turns against its own delicate tissues, resulting in bleeding, swelling, abscesses, fistulas (abnormal connections between internal organs), perforations and more.