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How do you know if you have colon damage?

Symptoms of colon disorders typically include: abdominal pain. constipation. diarrhea.

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The colon is part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive tract. After food has been broken down in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine , indigestible food matter is passed through the colon. The colon is responsible for absorbing any leftover water, salts, and vitamins from food matter and condensing it into fecal matter. The fecal matter is then passed from the sigmoid colon into the rectum , where it’s held before being excreted as waste. When your colon is healthy, it will efficiently remove the waste your body no longer needs. However, when your colon is unhealthy, it can result in a variety of painful problems. The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as: The colon is prone to inflammation and inflammatory disorders that can be triggered by: Inflammatory bowel diseases are triggered or aggravated by a poor diet. In fact, up to 70 percent of the risk for colorectal cancer — the third most deadly form of cancer in the United States — can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating.

Reduce your intake of certain foods

The first step in treating colon pain is to modify your diet to see if you can reduce inflammation and find relief. Certain foods contribute more to inflammation, including:

red meat

fried foods

refined sugar and processed carbohydrates

alcohol

coffee

The second step in treating colon pain is to make other lifestyle changes, eliminating behaviors that adversely affect colon health, such as:

cigarette smoking

excessive sitting/sedentary work environment

lack of exercise

Reconsider medications

The third step is to review medications you take. If possible, stop using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen which can increase inflammation and affect the intestinal lining. Your doctor can recommend alternatives.

Eat more fiber

Dietary fiber speeds up the process of waste elimination, helping to cut down on constipation and inflammation. Without enough roughage to keep the bowel moving, stools can become hard and painful. With enough fiber, your colon reduces the strain and pressure it exerts on the abdomen and veins, reducing the risk of: Some healthy sources of dietary fiber to consider introducing to your diet are:

bran

cereals

fruits

vegetables

nuts and seeds

Drink more water

Dehydration can contribute to hard, painful stools and slow, blocked bowel movements. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to maintain proper hydration.

Get more exercise

A high-stress or sedentary lifestyle can aggravate the colon, so it’s important to find ways to relax and take time to let your body get the exercise it needs to stay functioning properly. A 2009 study found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of diverticulitis in men by up to 37 percent.

Surgery

In extreme cases, surgery is an option for relieving colon pain.

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Do I need a pelvic exam after 60?

While you might decide against an annual pelvic exam, you should still have a Pap smear on a regular basis, even if you are postmenopausal. According to current guidelines, Pap smears are recommended every three years — or a combination of a Pap smear and HPV test every five years — up until age 65.

Living Healthy

Once women pass their childbearing years, many look forward to skipping their annual OB-GYN appointment. Not so fast. Even after menopause, doctors see great value in regular OB-GYN appointments. Here’s why.

Pelvic Exams — Needed or Not?

The American College of Physicians now says healthy women of any age don’t need routine annual pelvic exams. The screening is important, though, if a woman is having symptoms that could be related to a problem with her vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists still recommends annual pelvic exams for all women. So, you should discuss this question, as well as any issues you might be having, with your OB-GYN during your next visit, in order to make the right decision for your particular health needs.

Pap Smears Are Still Important

While you might decide against an annual pelvic exam, you should still have a Pap smear on a regular basis, even if you are postmenopausal. According to current guidelines, Pap smears are recommended every three years — or a combination of a Pap smear and HPV test every five years — up until age 65. They aren’t needed after age 65 if recent tests have been normal. Also, you can skip them if you’ve had a hysterectomy that included the cervix.

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