Colon Cancer

The colon is the body's waste elimination track out of which the useless and spent materials pass.When the colon functions properly and is clear of polyps or disease, then the waste elimination process works efficiently. If the colon is weak and frankly, clogged with junk, then it becomes a cess pool that's the ideal condition for breeding disease.

Nearly two million people in the United States have intestinal problems. Many of them suffer from colitis or Crohn's disease. These diseases of the colon often lead to excess gas production which is an embarrassing odor problem.

When colon cancer reaches advanced stages, surgical procedures are necessary to remove tumors or damaged areas of the colon. Substantial damage may also require a colostomy. After the surgery the patient wears a concealed bag that collects waste materials. Post-surgical patients are cared for by specially trained ostomy nurses who teach how to function with the colostomy. Many patients return to active lives whether in retirement or back to work after the colostomy.

Patients who have a colostomy are constantly in fear of being embarrassed by leakage or odor from the ostomy bag. One pro-active strategy is to make dietary changes that limit or eliminate certain foods. Beans, eggs, chewing gum, fish and carbonated beverages are foods that may cause gas which results in an odor problem. Patients are also cautioned to monitor themselves and avoid any other foods which are likely to upset the digestion.

Patients who are dealing with colon cancer and odor problems need to understand that the colon has two types of bacteria; helpful and harmful. Helpful bacteria comes from foods and products with probiotics or friendly flora. Harmful bacteria tends to increase with intake of alcohol, processed foods, certain food additives and lack of foods with fiber. Helpful bacteria is supported by a balanced diet, good carbohydrates and products with acidophilis.

Making good food choices that support the slightly acidic environment of the colon improves the conditions for helpful bacteria while diminishing formation of harmful bacteria. It's the harmful bacterial condition that is also prime for gas formation and odor.

When the colon has ample amount of helpful bacteria elimination of odors occurs naturally, stools are lighter color and have little if any odor. As the colon environment becomes filled with harmful bacteria, the stools are darker, may be loose and excrete with a rotten-egg smell.

Patients concerned about colon cancer and odor may try an alternative therapy, colonic irrigation to cleanse the colon. Conducted by a trained technician, colonic irrigation literally washes the full length of the colon by a gentle water injection and flushing processes. Purfied water is used for the procedure. Unlike an enema, where the water is retained until uncomfortable, colonic irrigation is an ongoing draining process that does not produce discomfort for the patient. The procedure takes less than an hour and may be repeated for several sessions and resumed at regular intervals.

The purpose of colonic irrigation is to remove build up waste materials, flush away harmful bacteria and create a condition in which helpful bacteria can thrive.