Gastrointestinal Health

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By peace | April 24, 2007

Bowel activity varies among the healthy population, from twice a day, to once a week. Changes in bowel activity can be due to a stomach upset, but they may also be caused by colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or bowel cancer. Therefore, you should see a doctor if you have a persistent change in the frequency of your bowel movements.

Some stool types can indicate a disorder. See your doctor if your if your stools become pale, bulky, greasy, foul-smelling, and tend to float; tarry and black; or contain blood.

Over 90% of cancers in the colon or rectum occur in those over 50 and begin as polyps on the bowel lining. Some doctors therefore recommend annual tests, such as faecal occult blood testing, for everyone over 50.

Did You Know:

A high-fibre diet reduces the incidence of cancer of the colon and of the rectum. Evidence suggests that cancers in the large bowel are more common in those people with a sluggish bowel action. By speeding the passage of faecal material through the digestive tract, fibre reduces the time that cancer-causing substances in the faeces are in contact with the bowel lining.
A diet that is low in fibre will cause the stools to become hard and dry. Because these stools are less fluid, they cannot pass through the bowel quickly and potential cancer-causers are in contact with the bowel lining for a longer period of time.
A diet that is rich in high-fibre food such as baked beans, bran, granary bread, and sweetcorn, increases the bulk of the stools. This speeds the stools’ passage through the bowel and reduces the risk of cancer.