March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In 2020, it’s estimated that doctors will diagnose more than 100,000 new cases of colon cancer. When detected and treated in the early stages before it has spread, colon cancer has a 90% survival rate.

In the past it was recommended that you start screening for colon cancer at age 50. However, the American Cancer Society has released updated guidelines that lower the recommended age for colon cancer screening. The updated guidelines reflect a review of decades of statistics that suggest most adults should begin screening for colon cancer at age 45.

Why the change?

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) reviewed decades of statistics that show a sharp increase in colon cancer in adults under the age of 50. Preventive health screenings can detect abnormal changes in the colon, as well as polyps and tumors. This suggests that early screening can help detect colon cancer sooner and improve the chances of successful treatment and cure.

Certain risk factors, including lifestyle and genetics, raise the risk for developing chronic health conditions, including colon cancer. As lifestyles have changed in the last few decades, the recommended age for certain preventive health screenings require review and revision to reflect the factors that influence our current day-to-day lives.

People with a family history of colorectal cancer

If a parent, sibling, or other close relative has had colorectal cancer, it’s recommended that you begin screening at age 45. Again, early detection is key to improving the chances of survival. Colon cancer often causes no symptoms until it has progressed. Earlier screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment gives you the best chance of successfully treating the cancer.

Existing conditions

Certain medical conditions raise your chances of developing colon cancer. If you have any of the following conditions, it’s recommended that you have a colonoscopy screening every 2-3 years:

• Colon polyps
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis

Individual patient risk

One of the most important aspects of preventing chronic disease is having regular check-ups with your health care provider. While the ACG provides general guidelines, it’s important to note that recommendations based on individual risk factors are the best way to prevent disease.

No one likes talking about hemorrhoids. But, this is a common problem affecting about 1 in 20 people in the United States each year. In fact, it’s estimated that up to three in four adults will have problems with hemorrhoids during their lifetime.

When you walk down the pharmacy aisle at your local grocery store, you’ll find plenty of hemorrhoid treatments that promise to help. But what do you do when home remedies fail? Are there medical treatments that can help heal your hemorrhoids and resolve your discomfort?

Understanding hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in your anorectal region. They’re similar to varicose veins and can occur anywhere from your lower rectum to just outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the body, whereas external hemorrhoids develop underneath the skin of your anal opening.

Depending on their location, hemorrhoids may cause a little discomfort but have excessive bleeding or become intensely painful. As with many medical conditions, seeking hemorrhoids treatment early can often spare you needless pain and discomfort.

When hemorrhoids require medical attention

These four signs indicate your hemorrhoids require medical intervention and explains why early treatment matters.

1. Bleeding while having bowel movements

You can develop rectal bleeding for several reasons, including hemorrhoids. Blood associated with internal hemorrhoids is usually bright red, occurs with bowel movements, may be mild to moderate in amount, and causes no pain.

However, you can’t assume your symptoms are due to hemorrhoids. If you’ve never had a hemorrhoid diagnosis or have had recent changes in the characteristics of the bleeding you assumed was due to hemorrhoids, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. 

2. A noticeable bulge at the anus that retracts after a bowel movement

When you have internal hemorrhoids, they can prolapse — or fall outside — of the anal opening during a bowel movement. At first, the tissue may retract on its own or be easily pushed back into place. But a prolapse can worsen over time, eventually causing significant irritation, itching, bleeding, and pain when this internal tissue becomes trapped outside of the anus. Seeking treatment early prevents a prolapse from worsening.

3. Feeling as though you’re not emptying your stool completely

Prolapsing internal hemorrhoids can cause the sensation that you have stuck stool at your anus. You can also have mucous discharge and difficulty in cleaning yourself after a bowel movement because of the displaced tissue.

4. Itching, discomfort, and irritation in the anal region

These symptoms may not seem like cause for concern, but you don’t have to live with hemorrhoid discomfort until it becomes severe or disrupts your life. We can offer nonsurgical solutions that can effectively resolve your hemorrhoids.

Nonsurgical treatments for hemorrhoids

Depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids, our team might offer a variety of treatments ranging from lifestyle changes, like eating more fiber, to minimally invasive techniques, including:

Infrared coagulation (IRC)

IRC is a highly effective method that uses infrared light delivered via a small probe to painlessly coagulate (clot) the blood vessels supplying your hemorrhoid. After blocking the blood flow, your enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue shrinks, and your symptoms subside. 

Rubber band ligation

This approach also stops blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue, causing your hemorrhoid to wither and “die.” It’s more painful overall than IRC and may cause some bleeding, but it remains an effective, nonsurgical solution for treating hemorrhoids.

Constipation can strike for many reasons, from temporary dehydration to stress. But if ongoing problems with constipation are causing physical discomfort and stress, there could be an underlying issue.

Recognizing constipation

Constipation itself isn’t a medical condition — it describes a symptom of another problem. When referring to constipation, it’s defined as trouble passing stool during a bowel movement and having infrequent bowel movements. If you have infrequent bowel movements, it typically means less than three per week, persisting for weeks, months, or even years.

Constipation can also feel like there’s something blocking your stool, causing you to strain to pass even a small amount. The end result of constipation is feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sometimes pain. You can avoid this discomfort by seeking medical attention if you have ongoing constipation, especially if it lasts three weeks or longer.

Understanding the causes of constipation

Several different medical problems and conditions that can trigger constipation, including:

• Dehydration
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Anal fissures
• Bowel obstruction
• Weakened anal muscles or muscles that don’t relax or contract properly
• Hormonal issues like diabetes and pregnancy
• Neurological problems like Parkinson’s disease or neuropathy
• Organ prolapse
• Certain medications

Less frequently, you can have constipation because of colorectal cancers.

Problems associated with constipation

Living with ongoing constipation can cause far more than increasing discomfort. Straining to pass stools can cause hemorrhoids or anal fissures to develop, which makes matters far worse. In extreme cases, you can even experience rectal prolapse from excessive straining, where your rectum starts to protrude from your anus.

Constipation can also cause stool to harden — or become impacted — inside your intestines. This information isn’t meant to scare you. We want to emphasize the importance of early intervention so you can avoid these potential problems altogether.

Managing constipation

If you’ve been struggling with ongoing constipation, Dr. Saslow and his team have effective solutions that can offer relief. He can provide you with an appropriate treatment plan after performing a thorough evaluation to accurately identify the underlying source of your symptoms.

Our team at Digestive Health uses a number of tests that help determine where your issue may lie, from simple blood tests to more advanced testing involving your anal muscles. He also offers minimally invasive techniques like a colonoscopy. These approaches allow him to get a closer look at the internal structures of your digestive system to find any potential problems. 

It’s hard to look forward to the holiday season when you have a digestive disorder like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That’s because it’s hard to have a good time when you’re constantly worried about cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation — especially when you’re away from home. But, you don’t have to let IBS control your life. 

Have an IBS plan

It’s not a big surprise that a plan can help you avoid disaster. But, it’s even more crucial if you have IBS. During the holidays, advanced planning includes always having a small meal or snack before leaving home and finding the bathroom as soon as you arrive at your destination. 

Not only do these strategies help you avoid overindulging in foods that can trigger symptom flare-ups, but they also ensure you can find a bathroom quickly if you experience gastrointestinal distress.

Of course, even with the best planning, accidents can still happen. As part of your IBS plan, always carry medications that relieve your symptoms, a change of clothing and underwear, cleansing cloths, and a garbage bag for any soiled items.

Watch what you eat

The exact cause of IBS isn’t known, but several factors can trigger your symptoms, especially certain foods. To avoid causing a flare-up, you have to understand which foods exacerbate your condition so you can steer clear of them. These items might include:

• Sugar 
• Dairy products
• Gluten, like rye, wheat, and barley
• Gas producing foods, like cabbage, beans, broccoli

The easiest way to play it safe during the holidays is by eating beforehand or carrying a few IBS-friendly foods along, which make it easier to avoid temptation.

Drink plenty of water

If you have IBS, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is water. But, remaining properly hydrated is an important aspect of managing your symptoms. Water plays a vital role in the digestive process by keeping your stools soft and easy to pass. And, if you have diarrhea, drinking water helps replace lost fluid and reduces your risk of dehydration.

Drinking water can also help you avoid beverages like caffeine or alcohol. While they may seem like a fun way to celebrate, they can also cause your symptoms to flare up.

Remember to relax and enjoy yourself!

In addition to food, stress is also a key trigger of IBS symptoms. And, stress can be at its highest during the holiday season. To keep yourself calm and relaxed no matter how high tensions run, we recommend practicing stress-busting practices, such as:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• 30 minutes of exercise

You can also create relaxing moments by taking a hot bath or drinking a soothing cup of herbal tea. It’s also essential to know your own limits, so take time away from the hustle and bustle of the season when needed.

Taking these steps can help you survive the holidays and enjoy the season, even when you live with IBS.