Colon Cancer Warning Signs? Check Your Toilet
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 5, 2018
No one likes to talk about poop.
Well, unless you are a four-year-old (and that’s all they want to talk about).
Most adults are embarrassed and uncomfortable when talking about it.
But poop is important because it can tell us a lot about our digestive health and (sometimes) point to certain conditions, like cancer.
So, let’s do the unthinkable: talk about poop and see if you should worry.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with the percent of colorectal cancer deaths highest among people aged 75-84.
If you are normal, you have times when your bowel movements are great and other times they are loose, or you are constipated.
There are four symptoms you should look out for if you are concerned about colon cancer.
- Bleeding: Bright red blood comes from hemorrhoids and can be unsettling, but (usually) not harmful. The blood you worry about comes from up higher. This blood can be hard to observe, it usually appears as very dark stools, or has a coffee grounds look.
- Change in bowel habits: Once again, change in stool texture is normal, but if you have weeks of looser stools, or you must go to the bathroom more often, then you should consider going to the doctor.
- Fatigue: If you look white or pale, this could be a lack of iron from bleeding.
- Weight loss: Especially unexplained weight loss (you haven’t changed anything).
If any of these signs show up, then you should visit your doctor for a thorough exam.
But let’s talk about how to keep your digestive tract as healthy as possible.
Dr. Scott’s Good Gut Health Program:
- Probiotics are your easiest path to a healthy digestive system. I prefer a probiotic product that contains a fiber prebiotic along with good bacteria (probiotics).
- Eat enough fiber to help with regular bowel movements, but to also help stimulate healthy bacterial growth. I always suggest that people take both water soluble and water insoluble fiber. One of my favorite fibers is ground flax seeds.
- Throw away junk food, trans fats, processed, and chemical foods. All processed foods, trans fatty acids, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol harm the microbiome. Do what you can to limit these non-foods in your diet.
- Exercise doesn’t seem like the first place you would turn to help your digestive tract, but it has been shown to help encourage a healthy microbiome.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
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Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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