Colon health and regularity in bowel movements is a cornerstone of overall health. Many health experts believe that constipation or diarrhea are signs that the body is dealing with toxins that it has been unable to rid itself of fast enough. It has been reported that 12 percent of people worldwide suffer from constipation. Generally speaking, having a bowel movement fewer than three times a week is not healthy. Common causes of constipation include prescription medications, hormonal changes, poor bowel habits, diet, dehydration, lack of exercise, laxatives, diseases such as colon cancer and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stress.
Constipation that comes on suddenly should be evaluated by a doctor to make sure no serious disease is involved. Otherwise, natural health products should be your first response to change in normal bowel habits that is characterized by a decrease in frequency and the passage of hard, dry stools.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have similar symptoms and are often difficult to distinguish. They are both chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that most commonly affect the small intestine and/or colon. An estimated half million North Americans have Crohn's disease. It causes painful swelling that often results in diarrhea, or frequent loose watery stools.
The cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown but current research suggests that the inflammation in Crohn's disease involves a complex interaction of factors including heredity, the immune system and antigens in the environment.
Also in this addition of Desired Health