RESOURCES
As
you can see, bowel health and hygiene is a complex subject!
Defecation is a simple but crucial function, and constipation
can cause problems ranging from relatively harmless hemorrhoids
to diverticulitis with life-threatening rupture to cancer
and even death.
The
current recommendations for healthy bowel movements include
eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, drinking 6-8 glasses
of water daily, and exercising regularly. Folic acid is
currently being studied for its potential to decrease the
incidence of colon cancer.
Remember,
those aged 50 and up, should have regular rectal exams to
look for microscopic blood (and to check the size and shape
of the prostate, in men). Men and women older than
50 should have a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy (a flexible
tube is inserted into your colon to look for precancerous
polyps) every 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10. People
who have a family history of colon cancer or other bowel
problems need to be screened sooner, so discuss this with
your physician.
Click
here for current
articles and streaming video on the topics addressed
in this guide.
Other
excellent resources regarding one's bowel movements and
general bowel health can be purchased through Amazon.com
by clicking below.
Finally,
your own physician is a perhaps the best resource on this
and other health topics. Though you may feel embarrassed
bringing it up, keep in mind your doctor sees and discusses
these and other bowel problems on a daily basis - don't
be afraidtoask...
Thank
you again for supporting AfraidToAsk.com. Please consider
filling out the anonymous survey
before you leave. We take your comments seriously!
