It is most likely that you have seen a parasite colon cleanser or two in your local market or health food store. You might have even thought of checking it out, but did not get a chance to do so. Before you do so, it is best to find out more about parasites in colon. Do they exist or not?

Intestinal parasites are organisms that can be found in the human body’s gastrointestinal tract where they accumulate and flourish. Some people deem that these parasites are not capable of breeding inside the body. However, a whole range of digestive issues and concerns are supposedly caused by parasites in the colon. These include abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, among others.

Here are the most common parasites found in the colon:

1.      The hookworm latches on the walls of the colon with its sharp teeth where it feeds on blood.

2.      The tapeworm is the longest parasite. A mature adult can lay one million eggs per day.

3.      Tapeworm eggs are embedded in the colon.

4.      The roundworm can grow to 20 inches (50 cm) long and lay 200,000 eggs per day.

5.      Pinworms migrate outside the colon during the night to lay their eggs around the anus. This causes the nightly itching of many unsuspecting victims.

There are various ways for the intestinal parasites to go in and contaminate the digestive tract. Poorly handled and ill-prepared food whether uncooked, undercooked or unwashed is one way. Drinking infected water is another method. Playing in playgrounds and sandboxes with parasite-infested soil is yet another means of transmission.

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms that seem to be caused by parasites in the colon, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Explain what’s been happening. The doctor can order laboratory tests to rule out intestinal parasites. It is always best to find out whether or not parasites in the colon are the cause before purchasing colon and parasite cleansers available for sale.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the  bowel (intestines) and affects an estimated 15% of persons in the US. The term,  irritable bowel, is not a particularly good one since it implies that the bowel  is responding irritably to normal stimuli, and this may or may not be the case.  The several names for IBS, including spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous  colitis, attest to the difficulty of getting a descriptive handle on the  ailment. Moreover, each of the other names is itself as problematic as the term  IBS.

IBS is best described as a functional disease. The concept of  functional disease is particularly useful when discussing diseases of the  gastrointestinal tract. The concept applies to the muscular organs of the  gastrointestinal tract; the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder,  and colon. What is meant by the term, functional, is that either the muscles of  the organs or the nerves that control the organs are not working normally, and,  as a result, the organs do not function normally. The nerves that control the  organs include not only the nerves that lie within the muscles of the organs but  also the nerves of the spinal cord and brain.

Some gastrointestinal  diseases can be seen and diagnosed with the naked eye, such as ulcers of the  stomach. Thus, ulcers can be seen at surgery, on x-rays, and at endoscopies.  Other diseases cannot be seen with the naked eye but can be seen and diagnosed  with the microscope. For example, celiac disease and collagenous colitis are  diagnosed by microscopic examination of biopsies of the small bowel and colon,  respectively. In contrast, gastrointestinal functional diseases cannot be seen  with the naked eye or with the microscope. In some instances, the abnormal  function can be demonstrated by tests, for example, gastric emptying studies or  antro-duodenal motility studies. However, these tests often are complex, are not  widely available, and do not reliably detect the functional abnormalities.  Accordingly, by default, functional gastrointestinal diseases are those  involving the abnormal function of gastrointestinal organs in which  abnormalities cannot be seen in the organs with either the naked eye or the  microscope.

Occasionally, diseases that are thought to be functional are  ultimately found to be associated with abnormalities that can be seen. Then, the  disease moves out of the functional category. An example of this would be  Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach. Many patients with mild upper  intestinal symptoms who were thought to have abnormal function of the stomach or  intestines have been found to have an infection of the stomach with Helicobacter  pylori. This infection can be diagnosed by seeing the bacterium and the  inflammation (gastritis) it causes under the microscope . When the patients are  treated with antibiotics, the Helicobacter, gastritis, and symptoms disappear.  Thus, recognition of Helicobacter pylori infection removed some patients’  diseases from the functional category.

The distinction between  functional disease and non-functional disease may, in fact, be blurry. Thus,  even functional diseases probably have associated biochemical or molecular  abnormalities that ultimately will be able to be measured. For example,  functional diseases of the stomach and intestines may be shown ultimately to be  caused by reduced levels of normal chemicals within the gastrointestinal organs,  the spinal cord, or the brain. Should a disease that is demonstrated to be due  to a reduced chemical still be considered a functional disease? I think not. In  this theoretical situation, we can’t see the abnormality with the naked eye or  the microscope, but we can measure it. If we can measure an associated or  causative abnormality, the disease probably should no longer be considered  functional.

Despite the shortcomings of the term, functional, the  concept of a functional abnormality is useful for approaching many of the  symptoms originating from the muscular organs of the gastrointestinal tract.  This concept applies particularly to those symptoms for which there are no  associated abnormalities that can be seen with the naked eye or the microscope.

While IBS is a major functional disease, it is important to mention a  second major functional disease referred to as dyspepsia, or functional  dyspepsia. The symptoms of dyspepsia are thought to originate from the upper  gastrointestinal tract; the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small  intestine. The symptoms include upper abdominal discomfort, bloating (the  subjective sense of abdominal fullness without objective distension), or  objective distension (swelling, or enlargement). The symptoms may or may not be  related to meals. There may be nausea with or without vomiting and early satiety  (a sense of fullness after eating only a small amount of food).

The  study of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract often is categorized  by the organ of involvement. Thus, there are functional disorders of the  esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and gallbladder. The amount of  research on functional disorders has been focused mostly on the esophagus and  stomach (such as dyspepsia), perhaps because these organs are easiest to reach  and study. Research into functional disorders affecting the small intestine and  colon (for example, IBS) is more difficult to conduct and there is less  agreement among the research studies. This probably is a reflection of the  complexity of the activities of the small intestine and colon and the difficulty  in studying these activities. Functional diseases of the gallbladder, like those  of the small intestine and colon, also are more difficult to study.

Most  individuals are surprised to learn they are not alone with symptoms of IBS. In  fact, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 10-20% of the general  population. It is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists  (doctors who specialize in medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and  intestines) and one of the most common disorders seen by primary care  physicians.

Sometimes irritable bowel syndrome is referred to as spastic  colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable  colon.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is generally classified as a  “functional” disorder. A functional disorder refers to a disorder or disease  where the primary abnormality is an altered physiological function (the way the  body works), rather than an identifiable structural or biochemical cause. It  characterizes a disorder that generally can not be diagnosed in a traditional  way; that is, as an inflammatory, infectious, or structural abnormality that can  be seen by commonly used examination, x-ray, or blood test.

Irritable bowel syndrome is understood as a multi-faceted disorder.  In people with IBS, symptoms result from what appears to be a disturbance in the  interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the autonomic nervous  system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory  function.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by a group of  symptoms in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in  bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and/or  constipation.

Treatment options are available to manage IBS—whether  symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe.

Click here for more information on IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder characterized by  recurrent abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhea, which often alternates with  constipation. IBS most commonly affects people between the ages of 20 and 30 and  is twice as common in women as in men. IBS is known by a variety of other terms:  spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis, nervous diarrhea, nervous colon  and nervous or functional bowel.

Causes and natural treatments of irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal motility disorder for which  there is no organic or structural cause. Since the symptoms of IBS can mimic  other disorders such as hypothyroidism, IBS is diagnosed when all other local  and systemic conditions have been ruled out.

Characteristic symptoms of  IBS include recurrent abdominal pain, abdominal pain relieved by defecation,  disordered bowel habit, including constipation, diarrhea, or an alternation  between the two, and abdominal distension and bloating.

IBS is also  associated with non-gastrointestinal conditions such as headache, low back pain,  arthritis, non-cardiac chest pain, difficult urination and  fibromyalgia.

Learn the latest in alternative medicine diagnosis and treatment methods for  IBS using herbs, diet, and other natural remedies. Click  Here

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Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem. People with constipation have infrequent bowel movements, pass hard stools or strain during bowel movements.

“Normal” frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, however, you’re probably suffering from constipation if have a BM less than three times a week and if those stools are hard and dry and difficult to pass.

Most cases of constipation aren’t permanent. temporary. Simple changes in lifestyle such as  exercising regularly and eating a high-fiber diet will do wonders in alleviating constipation.

Constipation may also be treated with over-the-counter laxatives, however, take laxatives sparingly as they are very hard on your system and frequent use of them causes the body to shut down and rely solely on laxatives in order to have a bowel movement.

SYMPTOMS

If you’re not having a bowel movement every day, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re constipated. You are probably constipated if you experience two of these signs or symptoms:

• Have fewer than three stools bowel movements per week
• Pass hard stools
• Strain excessively during bowel movements
• Experience a sense of rectal blockage
• Feel like you still need to go to the restroom after having a bowel movement
• Need to use manual maneuvers in order to have a bowel movement, such as finger evacuation or manipulation of your lower abdomen

CAUSES

A number of factors can cause constipation, such as:

• Dehydration, lack of fluids
• Not enough fiber in your diet
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Lack of physical activity (especially in older adults)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Changes in lifestyle or routine, including pregnancy, aging and travel
• Illness
• Pain Medications
• Frequent use or abuse of laxatives
• Diseases, such as stroke, diabetes, thyroid disease and Parkinson’s disease
• Problems with the colon and rectum, such as intestinal obstruction or diverticulosis
• Medications such as diuretics and those used to treat Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure and depression
• Hormonal disturbances, such as an underactive thyroid gland
• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids
• Loss of body salts through vomiting or diarrhea
• Spinal cord injuries

WHY IT HAPPENS

MEDICATION

Pain medication often causes constipation.  After major surgeries, such as a colon resection, you’re probably taking a lot of pain killers.

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia can paralyze your digestive tract, making it harder for your body to eliminate fecal matter.

DIET CHANGES

Before and after surgery your doctor probably put you on a special diet. And, ironically, hospital food isn’t known for being the healthiest. This can lead to constipation since there is nothing pushing out old waste. It usually passes once you get home and start eating a healthy diet.

STRESS

In the days leading up to any given surgery, you’re bound to be under a lot of stress and anxiety.   This not only impacts your mental wellness, but your digestive system and its function.

3 WAYS YOU CAN MINIMIZE CONSTIPATION AFTER SURGERY

There are a few things you can do to minimize constipation problems after an operation, however, time is one of factors you can’t change.

MOVE AROUND

Start doing light exercises as soon as possible after your surgery. Consult with your doctor before doing anything, just to make sure it won’t tear any stitches or cause more problems.

PAINKILLERS

Again, consult with your doctor before doing anything, but if you do not need the painkillers anymore, don’t take them!

DIET

Eating healthy foods is as important, more than ever, after surgery. You will not only improve recovery time but you’ll experience less constipation.

Just because you’re constipated does not mean you have colon cancer. However, the onset of constipation is one of the early warning sign of colon cancer and other serious illnesses. Any prolonged bouts of unexplained constipation should be taken very seriously.  You should call and make an appointment with your doctor right away, just to be safe.

Chronic constipation may be a warning sign of other health problems: diabetes, hypothyroidism, Crone’s Disease, reaction to medication, and neurological disorders, to name a few. Before your doctor recommends any treatment for chronic constipation, she should always attempt to determine the underlying cause, with the most serious possibility being colon cancer.

Colon cancer typically leads to constipation if the tumor obstructs the colon. This most often occurs if the tumor is located in the lower colon or the rectum (the left side of the colon), an area in which the stool is already solid. Typically, tumors in the upper colon (the right side) will not cause constipation because the stool is of a liquid consistency and can more easily pass around an obstruction.

HOW DOES CONSTIPATION RELATE TO COLON CANCER?

In 1911 Dr. Alexis Carrel received the Nobel Prize for growing live tissue cells. He discovered that by discarding their digestive waste daily, the cells could live indefinitely. When he did not remove their waste for three days they become weak and unhealthy.

This simple experiment shows that whatever waste we create, be it in our blood, the colon, lymph nodes, etc. it must be removed daily if we are to have excellent health.

As far as colon waste goes, we should be having a bowel movement every day for every meal we eat. Most of us have only one a day.  Many doctors say it’s okay if you only have one bowel movement every two days. That’s fine, if you want colon cancer.

Studies have shown that if you have only one bowel movement every 3 – 4 days, you are at increased risk for having a heart attack, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, IBS, and many other illnesses.  90% of the most common diseases, many fatal, start in the colon.

Dr. Carrel also showed in his 1911 experiments that cells become weak and died when they remained in their own metabolic waste after three days or longer. This is exactly the condition known as constipation.

Fecal matter which remains stagnant in the colon increases the amount of bacteria which create colon wall irritations and inflammation. This can lead to colon cancer.

If you continue to have a constipated colon, then this bacteria and toxic waste can move into the small intestine where it can then get into your blood stream, traveling throughout the body, spreading the toxins everywhere.

Here’s how to make sure your fecal matter does not become stagnant in your colon and produce colon cancer.

Increasing the amount of fiber you eat daily by 3 / 4 ounce.  This can dramatically decrease your risk of getting colon cancer and many other colon-related diseases. If you are like most people, you eat only 1 / 4 ounce of fiber. In terms of grams, you are likely eating 8 grams. Raise the amount of fiber you eat by 20 grams to 28 grams and reduce your likelihood of getting colon cancer.

While constipation may not seem like a big deal, it could be a sign of something far more serious, such as colon cancer or Crone’s Disease.  Here are some of the most common symptoms of a colonic constipation:

• Poor appetite
• loss of memory or concentration
• neuritis and neuralgia
• cold feet and hands
• bad breath
• lack of interest in life
• skin problems
• protruding abdomen
• depression
• lack of sexual response
• fatigue
• over weight
• gas
• belching
• flatulence
• craving for food
• not feeling well
• anxiety and worry
• headaches
• insomnia
• irritability
• abdominal discomfort
• nervousness
• menstrual problems
• nausea
• swelling of legs
• anemia
• increased body odors
• sagging posture
• tender abdomen
• brittle nails and hair
• dark circles under eyes
• malnutrition
• coated tongue
• sallow complexion
• blood pressure up or down
• low back pain
• lack of endurance
• disinclination for work or play
• anorexia
• nausea
• mental and physical depression
• anxiety or fearfulness
• poor circulation
• neurological condition
• neuroses
• neuritis
• loss of memory
• protruding lower lip

An unhealthy colon is one in which fecal matter has been allowed to build up on its walls and crevices. In time, this fecal matter becomes encrusted in the colon, blocking its openings and slowing down the passage of stools. This fecal matter then continues to build up for days, weeks, months, and even years, putrefying and then poisoning your entire system. Poor health in the colon can lead to the development of a number of other conditions. Illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, colds, influenza, arthritis, and allergies are all examples of diseases that have been associated with a toxic colon. In fact, in most cases, the severity of a disease can be linked directly to the level of toxicity in the colon.

Over time, toxins and mucoid start to build up in the colon and intestines, preventing the body from absorbing vital nutrients from food.  The foods we eat are full of harmful chemicals and preservatives which get stuck inside the intestinal tract.  Performing a colon cleanse scrubs away and expels those noxious substances from our bodies.

BENEFITS FROM A COLON CLEANSE

• Weight loss
• Constipation prevention
• Boost in the immune system
• Decreased gas and bloating
• Increased energy levels
• Clearer skin
• Improved concentration
• Better absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods
• Overall healthful feeling