Colon cancer is believed to be one of the common types of cancer affecting people. As the name suggests, here, the point of origin of the cancer is the colon or the large intestine. Though colon cancer can affect anyone, people with unhealthy lifestyle (sedentary) and habits (excess smoking and consumption of alcohol), obesity, certain medical conditions like diabetes, or exposed to radiations (radiation therapy) are at a greater risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer may also be hereditary.

Colon cancer usually proceeds through five stages, stage 0 (zero), stage I, II, III and IV.

In stage 0, cancer remains in situ, (it remains confined within the innermost layer of the colon).
In stage I, cancer slowly starts spreading to the other layers (second and third) of the inner walls of the colon.
In stage II, cancer spreads further to the muscular walls of the colon (the lymph nodes, are, however, still not affected by this condition).
In stage III, cancer spreads outside the colon, affecting one or more lymph nodes.
Stage IV is more severe and metastatic. Here cancer has spread to and affected vital organs like the liver and the lungs.
Many of the symptoms do not appear at the initial stages. As a result, colon cancer mostly gets detected at a later (often metastatic) stage. Thus, a person should be alert. The initial symptoms, no matter how trivial, should be taken seriously. There is no harm in seeking medical help. It will only help you in the long run. 

The following symptoms are often the initial or first signs of something as big as colon cancer.

Unexplained poor appetite followed by sudden and rapid weight loss. Losing weight at an alarming rate without sweating it out needs thorough investigation. More than often, colon cancer interferes with the digestion process in a person. A person is not able to eat well. There is a feeling of being full (irrespective of how much you eat) all the time.
Constipation, gas or (and) diarrhea. Often overlooked and mistaken for common bowel disorder, these are some of the initial symptoms of colon cancer. The symptoms may be an outcome of polyps (abnormal tissue growths that can take place in any organs. These polyps are mostly benign in nature) or malignant tumors in the colon. Seek medical help if the conditions persist for more than a week. It is better to be safe than to be sorry.
A person feels exhausted, sleepy and weak all the time. The symptom may be an outcome of iron deficiency and anemia. Colon cancer can cause injury to the digestive tract. There may be bleeding followed by blood loss and hence the associated symptoms.
Mild to severe abdominal pain. The abdomen also appears tender than usual (in the case of metastatic tumor).
Stomach upset accompanied by pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps and at times, indigestion (an outcome of intestinal obstruction and inflammation).
There may be blood while passing stool.

Colon Cancer - What Signs You Must Watch Out For?

With the growing market for organic products, there is a widespread confusion on which product to choose. The same dilemma holds good in selecting the type of bread. White bread or Brown Bread? People are not sure which one to eat to stay healthy. A few quick facts about the two types of bread and which one should be consumed to stay healthy, are given below

White Bread
White bread is made out of refined wheat flour that has nothing to offer for the body. During the process of making white bread, the bran and wheat germ is removed from the wheat flour and Potassium Bromate, Benzoyl Peroxide or Chlorine Dioxide gas are used for bleaching to generate the whiteness. Potassium Bromate is highly dangerous if consumed in large doses. Chlorine dioxide is also used as a pesticide and is considered hazardous to the environment. When a large amount of white bread is consumed, the refined carbohydrates generate high levels of insulin thus, resulting in higher chances of weight gain. In spite of being globally popular, white bread is highly unhealthy for your body. It is completely devoid of nutrients and it is as harmful as table sugar for the digestive system.

Brown Bread
The American Academy of Pediatrics has revealed that whole wheat brown bread is rich in nutrients compared to the white bread. One major factor contributing to the above-mentioned fact is the amount of fiber present in whole wheat brown bread. The increased fiber content slows down the digestion process and thereby, reduces the effect on blood sugar and production of insulin. Other nutrients that are present in brown bread include vitamin B6, E, Folic acid, Zing, Copper and Manganese. Brown bread has lesser amount of calcium as compared with brown bread. Many manufacturers claim that they produce brown bread with the same amount of calcium as in white bread. Whole wheat bread contains Phytonutrient also called as plant lignans that have been observed to protect against heart diseases and breast cancer.

Things to consider while buying Brown Bread
The declining demand for white bread has forced a lot of manufacturers to use caramel as a coloring agent to darken white to brown bread. So buyers need to carefully look for the ingredients mentioned in the packing to ensure that they are buying the right product. It is important to check the first ingredient to see whether it is whole wheat or whole meal flour. If the word "enriched" is used, it means that the same flour used for white bread is used. Look for the bread with the minimum ingredients to ensure that you get maximum nutrients and very little additives. Also, make sure the amount of the following ingredients are as given below; sodium should be lesser than 401mg, saturated fat should be 1gm and fiber needs to be 4gm per 2 slices of serving.

To conclude, when it comes to organic and fitness oriented scenarios, brown is always better than white.

White Vs Brown Bread - Which One Should You Eat ?

Haemorrhoids or piles is a condition where the veins in and around your anus become swollen. This swollen vein sticks out from the anus and can make sitting and moving difficult. Laser haemorrhoidoplasty is one of the best ways to treat advanced forms of the condition. However, before knowing more about the procedure, you should learn more about piles in general.

Causes of piles-
You are likely to develop piles in the following events  
  If you strain excessively during bowel movements
  If you sit for prolonged periods on the toilet
  If you suffer from constipation or chronic cases of diarrhoea
  If you are overweight or obese
  If you are pregnant
  If you engage in anal sexual intercourse
  If your diet lacks proper quantities of fibre
The likelihood of having piles increase with your age. This is because the tissues supporting your veins tend to lose their strength, as you grow old.

Symptoms of piles-
If you suffer from piles, you can easily notice certain symptoms from the condition. Here are the most common signs of haemorrhoids  
  You will notice bleeding during bowel movements. However, you will not feel any pain from the said bleeding.
  Your anal and rectum area will itch throughout the day. You will experience irritation in the region as well.
  You will notice a lump formation near the anus, which will lead to extreme pain and discomfort. Sitting and walking may also become painful due to the presence of the lump
  You may also notice a general swelling in your anus region.
However, the exact symptoms may vary from one affected person to the next, based on the location and type of haemorrhoids.

How does laser haemorroidoplasty help in the treatment of piles?
While most haemorrhoids are treated with medication and lifestyle changes alone, advanced cases require additional procedures. Laser haemorrhoidoplasty is one such procedure used to treat severe piles cases.
This treatment results in the reduction of the size of the haemorrhoid. The laser energy passes through the haemorrhoidal node, destroying it in the process.

Here are some advantages of laser haemorrhoidoplasty  
  Closes the arteries carrying blood inside the haemorrhoid
  Reduction of the haemorrhoidal node tissues
  Preservation of most of the mucosa, anal lining and muscle
  Rectifies the issues with the anatomical structure and restores it to normal
  A minimally invasive procedure, which limits post-operative pain and scarring

If you suffer from an advanced stage of piles, speak to your doctor and see whether laser haemorrhoidoplasty is an option for you.

Laser Haemorrhoidoplasty - What All Should You Know About It?

Potassium is an essential mineral which is known as an electrolyte. Electrolytes are responsible for maintaining the ionic balance of your body. Other electrolytes are sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, chloride. These electrolytes bear an electric charge which manages the electrical activity of your health system. Potassium also helps the muscles of the body to function properly. In fact, it has its contribution in regulating blood pressure; a crucial role for a healthy heart.

Potassium deficiency is a kind of medical condition which is known as hypokalemia. The normal level of potassium in the human body should be in between 3.5-5.0 mmol/L. But the deficiency in potassium can cause severe problems including muscle weakness, nerve disorders, heart problems, etc. Kidney is the organ which is known to manage the potassium balance by removing the extra potassium through urine.

Causes of potassium deficiency:

Lack of potassium in diet
Dehydration
Diarrhoea
Too much sweating
Several medicines also cause potassium deficiency

Signs of potassium deficiency:

You are getting wiped out too often: Like it is discussed before that potassium is responsible for your muscles to work actively. Each and every cell needs the required amount of potassium to work effectively. So, a little deficiency of potassium can leave you exhausted throughout the day. If your normal working routine leaves you exhausted and if you are sweating too often, then there is a chance that you are suffering from hypokalemia.
High blood pressure: Potassium plays an important role in maintaining the blood pressure by helping in relaxing the blood vessels. Low potassium can cause the blood vessels to get constricted, due to which your blood pressure increases.
Muscle weakness: Potassium plays a significant role in building the strength of your muscles. Lack of potassium can easily cause muscle weakness, aches and spasms.
Irregular heartbeat: Anything regarding your heart problem can scare you badly; especially when you experience sudden skipped heart rate or when your heart rate doubles. Low potassium can cause such palpitations and skipped heartbeat.
Feeling dizzy: Lack of potassium in your body can slow down your heart rate and make you feel dizzy or you may feel that you are going to faint. Though many other medical conditions can be responsible for such symptoms but hypokalemia is one of them.
Constipation: Potassium deficiency can affect your overall health. You might encounter symptoms like bloating, abdominal cramping etc.
Numbness and tingling: Potassium is significant in keeping your nerves healthy. Potassium deficiency can make you experience numbness, needle sensations on your feet, wrist, etc.
These are the signs that people encounter when they suffer from hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can make you feel extremely sick and it causes several diseases which are discussed above. It is always advisable to visit a doctor when you encounter any of these above mentioned symptoms.

Potassium Deficiency - 7 Signs You Are Suffering From It!

When a condition is painful, it is common to hate it. And, when the condition is the piles, you will hate it more, because, along with the pain it might embarrass you as well. Characterized by the enlargement of blood vessels that surround the anus, when the veins tend to swell towards the lower-end of the rectum and anus, it is called piles. Swelling of the veins that are located within the rectum is called internal haemorrhoids. External piles is a condition where the veins towards the external part of the anal verge become swollen.

Symptoms that you may not fail to notice

Red blood spots on toilet paper, stools, or toilet bowl are a few symptoms of piles. This occurs when the pressure within the veins increases and causes them to tear and cause bleeding.
The patient also experiences pain during and after passing stools. This is due to inflammation of the veins that causes their swelling. The swollen veins apply strain on the muscles, cause spasms and is the reason for the discomfort that patients experience.
Persons suffering from piles may also face itching around the anal portion. The inflamed veins ooze mucous that gives rise to inflammation around the anus and causes itching.
Know the causes and how you can prevent it:

The primary cause for the piles is attributed to one factor which is heightened abdominal pressure. 
Consequently, there is a build-up of pressure in the veins around the anus that causes the piles disorder.
The various causes for an increase in abdominal pressure are flatulence, constipation, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diarrhea, pregnancy and sitting for prolonged durations.
What is the approach? 
Homeopathy serves as an effective cure for piles because it adopts a holistic approach. The homeopathic medicines are prescribed after studying the medical history of the patient and present physical condition. The person s predisposition to illnesses is also scrutinized by the homeopaths.
Unhealthy lifestyle habits are recognized to be the reason for bloating of the anal veins and piles symptoms. Hence, homeopathy aims to correct the underlying conditions that are causing the discomfort.

Why homeopathy?
Homeopathy medications are considered effectual for alleviating the discomfort of the hemorrhoids by controlling the bleeding. Additionally, the treatment methods provide a permanent cure for the disorder because they address the underlying cause. The treatment is also focused on treating conditions that give rise to piles. And, there are no worries of side effects.

So, if you have been suffering from piles for a while now and seeking a definitive cure without side effects, you can very well opt for homeopathy under the able guidance of a homeopath practician.


Piles - Treating It The Right Way With Homeopathy!

Piles or haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. They can have a lot of possible causes, but the exact reason is still unknown. The one most common reason that researchers cite is the excessive straining during bowel movement and increased pressure on the veins during pregnancy. Some of the common signs of this condition include discomfort, bleeding, and itching. A clot can be witnessed occasionally. There could be swelling around the anus as well.

How is a pile diagnosed?
Doctors often recognize this condition just by doing a physical exam of the rectum. By lubricating the glove and inserting a finger into the rectum, a doctor can gauge any unusual growth around the rectum area. A doctor might also use a sigmoidoscopy or a proctoscopy to witness the lower portion of the colon. Apart from this, a doctor might prescribe a colonoscopy, if he fathoms that there is a possibility of colorectal cancer or a disease related to the digestive system.

Treatment of piles

Medication: In case of mild discomfort, a doctor might prescribe over-the-counter pads, ointments, creams or suppositories. Products such as these contain lidocaine, witch hazel or hydrocortisone that can relieve a person from itching and pain. One should stop consuming over-the-counter medicine, if there is no change in the condition.
Haemorrhoid thrombectomy: If a clot has appeared along with a pile in the rectum, a doctor can remove it by making an incision and draining the clot. This can fetch instant relief. The best time to do this is within 72 hours of clot formation.
Minimally invasive procedures: 
Rubber band litigation: This form of surgery involves placing of a couple of rubber band at the base of the piles to cut off blood circulation. In due course, the haemorrhoids fall off. Although this form of treatment works for many people, the patient has the risk of bleeding within few days of placing the rubber band.
Sclerotherapy: This form of treatment involves injecting a chemical into the haemorrhoid. The chemical shrinks the piles within few days. There is hardly any pain involved with sclerotherapy.
Surgical procedure:
Haemorrhoidectomy: This is the process by which a surgeon eradicates the excess tissue that might be causing the piles. The patient is sedated before performing this procedure. Some amount of pain is experienced after the procedure is over. The temporary difficulty of urination can be faced by a patient after this procedure.
Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: This surgery is only performed for internal haemorrhoids. The process involves blocking the blood supply. The process of stapling has less pain compared to a Haemorrhoidectomy. On the flip side, studies have shown that this procedure has an increased chance of recurrence of haemorrhoids.


Piles - Diagnosis and Treatment

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