Know about Colorectal Cancer and your options if you have it.

 Diseases of the lower intestinal tract can range from simple annoyances to life threatening illnesses. No matter how serious the condition is, we feel that you deserve the very best care possible. Bringing the most advanced care for colorectal diseases to patients, Apollo Health City takes pride in being the best place for colorectal surgical care in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and requires a multidisciplinary team approach. We have a weekly tumor board where surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists meet in order to reach a consensus on the ideal cancer treatment plan, tailored for the individual patient. We are committed to consistently maintain a comfortable, understanding environment while providing high quality patient and family centered care. This makes us one of the most preferred hospitals for colorectal surgery, giving us an opportunity to care for patients from all over the world.

Can Weight loss be a symptom of Colon cancer?

 It’s easy to overlook weight loss and just consider it a good thing. As a society, we glorify thinness, which means many people don’t consider weight loss a bad enough change to see a doctor, instead viewing it as a blessing.

But this supposedly positive change is actually a very common symptom for colon cancer, as well as many other kinds of cancers. Weight loss is a fairly reliable science, so if you’re losing weight without changing up your diet or adding to physical activity, what you are experiencing is unexplained weight loss.

It’s easy to overlook weight loss and just consider it a good thing. As a society, we glorify thinness, which means many people don’t consider weight loss a bad enough change to see a doctor, instead viewing it as a blessing.

In almost all cases, unexplained weight loss is dangerous and typically points to something wrong within the body.

• Cancer, including colon cancer, uses up a lot of the energy within the body.
• This means that the immune system and the cancer cells are both burning fuel quickly as the former tries to fight the cancer and the latter tries to grow more.
• In addition, some cancer cells release certain chemicals that alter the body’s food processing manner.

Large colon tumors can also block the colon, changing your bowel habits. This is another reason for weight loss. The fact that many tumors cause appetite loss and increase the metabolism is even more reason to be nervous if you’re losing too much weight at once.

Get a full body check up at-least once a year. If you are of african decent, have cases of colon cancer in family history then you are right to be worried. 

A few must know about Colon Cancer.

 How does colon cancer start?

Although most colorectal polyps do not become cancer, virtually all colon and rectal cancers start from these growths. People may inherit diseases in which the risk of colon polyps and cancer is very high. Colorectal cancer may also develop from areas of abnormal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum.

What are the early warning signs of colon cancer?

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool.
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.
• A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely.

How long do you live if you have colon cancer?

This means that about 14% of people with stage IV colon cancer are likely to still be alive 5 years after they are diagnosed. But you’re not a number. No one, including your doctor, can tell you exactly how long you’ll live.

How serious is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer after lung cancer. But it’s one of the easiest diseases to detect, and in its earliest stages, it’s also one of the most curable. If you’ve been diagnosed with colon cancer, or if you’re at risk for the disease, it’s time to learn everything you can.

Can you have colon cancer for years and not know it?

Most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer. As the vast majority of people with bowel cancer are over the age of 60, these symptoms are more important as people get older. … a persistent change in bowel habit without blood in their stools, but with abdominal pain.

Alternative methods used in treating Crohn's and other ulcerative diseases.

 Many people with digestive disorders have used some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, there are few well-designed studies of their safety and effectiveness.

Some commonly used therapies include:

• Herbal and nutritional supplements. The majority of alternative therapies aren't regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. even natural herbs and supplements can have side effects and cause dangerous interactions. Tell your doctor if you decide to try any herbal supplement.
• Probiotics. There is some evidence to suggest that some Bifidobacterium preparations may help people with Crohn's disease to maintain remission, but some studies have found no benefits for treating Crohn's disease with probiotics. Further research is necessary to determine their effectiveness.
• Fish oil. Studies done on fish oil for the treatment of Crohn's haven't shown benefit.
• Acupuncture. Some people may find acupuncture or hypnosis helpful for the management of Crohn's, but neither therapy has been well-studied for this use.
• Prebiotics. Unlike probiotics — which are beneficial live bacteria that you consume — prebiotics are natural compounds found in plants, such as artichokes, that help fuel beneficial intestinal bacteria. Studies have not shown positive results of prebiotics for people with Crohn's disease.

The crux is no single treatment has shown absolute positive results to all cases. So cnsult your physician and design a course that is most suitable to you.

Stress reduction techniques that helps in Ulceration diseases such as Crohn's disease and colitis.

 

Though stress doesn't cause Crohn's disease, it can make your signs and symptoms worse and may trigger flare-ups. Although it's not always possible to avoid stress, you can learn ways to help manage it, such as:

• Exercise. Even mild exercise can help reduce stress, relieve depression and normalize bowel function. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's right for you.
• Biofeedback. This stress-reduction technique may help you reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate with the help of a feedback machine. The goal is to help you enter a relaxed state so that you can cope more easily with stress.
• Regular relaxation and breathing exercises. One way to cope with stress is to regularly relax and use techniques such as deep, slow breathing to calm down. You can take classes in yoga and meditation or use books, CDs or DVDs at home.

Get a consultation before you take any of the above steps, complimentary life style changes and dietary habits also goes a long way to manage the disease.

Symptoms of Crohn's Disease and When to see your doctor?

 Signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease can range from mild to severe. They usually develop gradually, but sometimes will come on suddenly, without warning.

symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Blood in your stool

• Mouth sores
• Reduced appetite and weight loss
• Pain or drainage near or around the anus 

People with severe Crohn's disease also may experience:

• Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints
• Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts
• Delayed growth or sexual development, in children

See your doctor if you have persistent changes in your bowel habits :

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in your stool
• Ongoing bouts of diarrhea that don't respond to over-the-counter (OTC) medications
• Unexplained fever lasting more than a day or two
• Unexplained weight loss

What is Crohn's disease?

 Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people.

The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease usually spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. It can be both painful and debilitating, and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications.

While there's no known cure for Crohn's disease, therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission. With treatment, many people with Crohn's disease are able to function well.