Stress and digestion – the two may seem virtually unrelated, but they are actually quite intricately connected. Stress is known to cause a host of digestive issues including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and heartburn. In return, digestive symptoms can often trigger stress, creating an endless cycle of discomfort and frustration.

April is Stress Awareness Month which provides the perfect opportunity to evaluate ways that stress may be affecting your digestion. It is estimated that as many as 80 percent of individuals dealing with irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal problems never even discuss their symptoms with their doctors. The means they are missing out on valuable information and treatments that could put a stop to their discomfort.

To understand how stress contributes to digestive issues, you must first understand the brain-gut connection. This lies in the enteric nervous system, a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that directly controls the digestive system. Often referred to as a second brain, the enteric nervous system contains more than 100 million nerve cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. When we experience stress, the nervous system activates its instinctual “fight or flight” response. This decreases blood flow to the digestive system, inhibits contractions of digestive muscles and decreases digestive secretions, essentially shutting down the digestive process (Source: Everyday Health).

If you’re dealing with stress-induced digestive symptoms, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Begin by examining stressors in your life and finding ways to limit them. You may also benefit from therapies that can help you learn to relax and better cope with stress. These include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Hypnosis
• Progressive relaxation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation

Talk to your doctor if you are not able to bring your stress to a manageable level or if your digestive issues continue. Together you can devise a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your symptoms and provides complete relief.

If you are one of the 40 million Americans suffering from chronic long-term sleep problems, you’ve probably tried at least one remedy or gimmick to help you get a good night’s rest. From supplements and sleep aids to noise machines and essential oils, there’s no shortage of therapies out there to help you catch some Z’s. But there’s one area that often gets overlooked in the search for a perfect night’s sleep – dietary habits.

Many common sleep problems can be linked to the kinds of foods we eat or when we eat them. The good news is that these issues are easy to treat with simple changes to our daily diets. Here are some common sleep issues that you may be able to alleviate by modifying your eating habits:

• Snoring – Approximately 90 million Americans snore during sleep. While this issue is often caused by enlarged tissues in the nose, mouth or throat, it can also be a result of dehydration. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and keep a glass of water on your nightstand so you can start hydrating first thing in the morning.
• Nightmares – Spikes and crashes in your blood sugar can disrupt your mood and cause nightmares. Counteract this by following a well-balanced diet with proteins, fat and carbs. This will help to stabilize your blood sugar and prevent sleep disturbances.
• Acid Reflux – Nighttime reflux often occurs when food has not had adequate time to digest before you lie down. Try to finish meals at least two to three hours before bedtime, and avoid late-night snacking. If you do indulge in a midnight snack, try to keep it low-fat and low in acid so it will digest quickly and not aggravate your digestive system.
• Wakefulness – Foods like turkey, soybeans and milk are high in tryptophan, a vital component of serotonin. Eating these foods mixed with starchy carbs can trigger the sleep-inducing effects of tryptophan to help you fall asleep faster.
• Poor Sleep Quality – That traditional nightcap or hot toddy might make you feel relaxed before bedtime, but it could be contributing to a poor night’s sleep overall. Alcohol acts as a muscle relaxant, which could contribute to snoring or sleep apnea. It also disrupts your deeper levels of sleep, leaving you feeling lethargic and unrested the next morning

Dietary habits can have a significant impact on sleep quality, but there are several other factors that could be contributing to your sleep issues. If your symptoms persist despite making changes to your diet, schedule an appointment with your doctor. There are several tests and treatments to get to the root of the problem and help you get a good night’s rest (The Huffington Post).

When examining the projected number of people who will develop colon cancer in 2017, that equals over 203,000 individuals. These men and women are husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and beloved friends. Scientists are constantly seeking new treatments to stop colon cancer, and researchers have found promise in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota has partnered with a team of scientists from across the country to analyze the effects of NSAIDs, aspirin and several other supplements in their role in preventing the recurrence of advanced neoplasia (precancerous polyps) after polyps have already been removed. The majority of colon cancer mortality arises from advanced neoplasia, so this research has enormous implications.

M. Hassan Murad, M.D., a clinical epidemiologist and preventive medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, and the study’s senior author, said, “Approximately 85 percent of all colorectal cancers are thought to result from untreated adenomatous polyps. If we can find a way to stop their growth, we could prevent a majority of these cases.”

The research time found that nonaspirin NSAIDs like ibuprofen were more effective than aspirin or other nutritional supplements to prevent the growth of advanced adenomas. Because most colon cancers develop from precancerous polyps that gradually become malignant, preventing polyp growth means preventing colon cancer.

Using data from 15 randomized control trials, the team analyzed information from 12,234 individuals. The studies included low-dose and high-dose aspirin therapy, calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid. The team compared each medication or supplement individually or in various combinations. Dr. Murad and the team knew the protective effects of aspirin and other NSAIDS in preventing colon cancer, but they were not aware of how these therapies measured up to each other in effectiveness.

Among all the therapies, nonaspirin NSAIDS are the most effective in preventing the regrowth of adenomatous polyps within 3 to 5 years of initial polyp removal. This is good news because nonaspirin NSAIDs are economical and easy to obtain. There are some significant health concerns about the long-term use of NSAIDs, and they have many known side-effects such as hypertension, fluid retention, kidney problems, heart problems, ulcers, stomach upset, gastro bleeding, and rashes.

Most people assume that over-the-counter medication is safer than similar medication that must be obtained by a prescription, but this is not always true. Because of the health risks of nonaspirin NSAIDs, they are not the best choice for all patients who are trying to prevent the recurrence of polyps. Aspirin was nearly as effective and had significantly lower risk, which might make it a more favorable option for many patients.

If you have a personal history of polyps, talk to your doctor about the medication or therapy that will work best for you. All medications have benefits and risks, especially when you are currently taking other medication. You can trust your doctor to prescribe the right treatment for you and to schedule regular checkups to monitor your progress.

It is easy to take our loved ones for granted, isn’t it? Sometimes we spend less time showing our care and concern for our closest family and friends because we know they will always be there. But the truth is, we must take the time to express our true feelings because there are no guarantees in our changing world. There are also no guarantees when it comes to good health.

One way that you can show family members or friends that you care is by scheduling a screening colonoscopy for them in the month of March. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on the importance of colon cancer education and prevention. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, but only 2 out of every 3 adults in the United States who are eligible for a colonoscopy are choosing to be screened. Because of this, colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women, and it affects one in 20 Americans.

There are many other types of colon screenings that are available, but the colonoscopy is unique. It has the power of detection, diagnosis and prevention in a single procedure. All colon cancer begins as a tiny cluster of cells that can form a precancerous polyp. If polyps are not removed, they have the potential to become cancerous. A colonoscopy exam involves a full visual inspection of the colon and the removal of any precancerous polyps before they can even develop into cancer.

It is estimated that there will be 95,520 new cases of colon cancer in 2017 and 39,910 new cases of rectal cancer in 2017. What if one of these individuals was a beloved family member or friend? Statistics are much more than just numbers if your loved one has been affected by colon cancer. The true power of the colonoscopy is not in its ability to diagnose colon cancer but it its ability to prevent it. In fact, most new cases of colorectal cancer could be prevented with regular colonoscopies.

You want the best for your loved one, so schedule a colonoscopy for your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend during the month of March. It is the best way to show that you care. After you schedule their colonoscopy, you can also be a caregiver on the day of the procedure. Every colonoscopy patient needs a caregiver to remain at the facility during the procedure and drive them afterwards. Going the extra mile for your loved ones will show your dedication and concern for their overall health.

Show your family and friends the care and concern that they deserve. Celebrate Colon Cancer Awareness Month by calling and making colonoscopy screening appointments to prevent colon cancer. If you are able to share more of your time, volunteer to be their caregiver on the “big day” to see them through the entire process. Through education and encouragement, we can reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

Digestive problems are common, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to discuss. Gas, bloating, and bathroom habits are not considered polite conversation, and many individuals choose to suffer in silence rather than seek treatment for their symptoms.

A recent survey found that up to 74 percent of Americans are living with digestive problems such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, yet half of them never discuss these symptoms with their doctor (Source: Fox News). These individuals run the risk of letting serious digestive problems continue undetected and untreated. While digestive symptoms may be harmless, they can often be the first sign of a more serious condition (Source: Bustle). The following are some digestive symptoms that warrant further investigation:

• Difficulty swallowing – It’s normal to experience difficulty swallowing when you eat too quickly or take oversized bites, but if you’re constantly feeling as though food is getting caught in your throat, it’s time to see your doctor. Blockages in the esophagus or esophageal strictures (narrowing of the esophagus) are two issues that can cause difficulty swallowing, and they require medical attention. You may also have eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition which causes inflammation in the esophagus, or achalasia, a condition in which the muscles in your esophagus do not relax properly.
• Rectal bleeding – Rectal bleeding could be a harmless side effect of hemorrhoids, or it could be an early warning sign of serious conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer. Always discuss rectal bleeding with your doctor immediately.
• Noisy digestion – The digestive system makes all sorts of noises while it’s at work, but if you notice grumbling and groaning within just a few minutes of eating, your body may be reacting to something in your food. Keep track of which foods appear to trigger this reaction and discuss it with your doctor at your next appointment.
• Pain from kidney stones – Severe pain in the side and back that spreads to the abdomen and groin often indicates kidney stones. You may also notice that urine looks cloudy, pink, red or brown, and has a foul odor to it. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills, as this could indicate infection.
• Heartburn – Nearly everyone experiences heartburn from time to time, but chronic episodes could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic digestive condition marked by frequent acid reflux, and it requires treatment to prevent damage to the esophagus. If left untreated, GERD can lead to ulcers, esophageal strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.
• Changes in bowel habits – Frequent diarrhea or constipation is a sign that something is not working properly in your digestive system. Talk to your doctor about any unusual changes in your bowel habits, as these may be indicators of celiac disease, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness about colon cancer, the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and take preventative action. Colon cancer affects 5 percent of the U.S. population (1 out of every 20 individuals), but many people are unaware of the risk that colon cancer presents.

Family History Affects Colon Cancer Risk
Although most colon cancers develop independently, about 5 to 10 percent of colon cancers are genetically inherited. This means that a person who has a family history of colon cancer and develops the disease is more likely to have inherited the gene than a person with no family history of colon cancer.
Being aware of your family’s health history is essential because you may be a candidate for early screening. People who are at average risk for colon cancer should schedule their first colonoscopy at 50 years of age. If colon cancer runs in your family, you should talk to your doctor about being screened earlier.

Lynch Syndrome and FAP
Two common inherited colorectal syndromes are hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). These diseases affect men and women alike and can develop at young ages. Children of men and women who carry the gene for Lynch syndrome and FAP have a 50 percent risk of inheriting the disease-causing gene.

Lynch syndrome comprises 3 to 5 percent of all colon cancers. While the average age for a new diagnosis of colon cancer is 72, the average age for a new diagnosis of Lynch syndrome is 45. It is important for individuals with Lynch syndrome to be under a doctor’s care because Lynch Syndrome makes one prone to developing other cancers including endometrial (uterine), stomach, breast, ovarian, small bowel (intestinal), pancreatic, prostate, urinary tract, liver, kidney, and bile duct cancers.

FAP is also associated with additional health risks. Those affected by FAP develop hundreds or thousands of precancerous polyps in the colon, and the number of polyps increases with age. These polyps begin forming in the mid-teens, and people with FAP will develop colon cancer in their thirties unless the colon is surgically removed.

Why You Should Be Screened Earlier
If you have a family history of colon cancer, it is important to be screened for colon cancer at an earlier age and at shorter intervals. Even having a family history of precancerous polyps can increase your chances of developing colon cancer by 35 to 70 percent. Not everyone should wait until the age of 50 to get a colonoscopy. The age at which you should get your first colonoscopy is often known as your “colonoscopy age.” There are a few factors that affect your colonoscopy age:

• Having a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps
• Having a first-degree relative like a parent, sibling or child with colon cancer or colon polyps
• Being of African American descent

Here is a general guideline: If you have a first-degree relative with colon cancer or colon polyps, you should be screened ten years earlier than the age that the relative was at time of diagnosis. Having a family history of colon cancer does not mean that you will develop the disease. What it does mean is that you need to make regular doctor 
visits a top priority. Regular check-ups and routine colonoscopies are your best defense against colon cancer.

This March, celebrate Colon Cancer Awareness Month by making sure that you are up-to-date on your colon cancer screenings. Another way to support the cause is to talk to your loved ones about getting a colonoscopy. Colon cancer prevention requires commitment and participation from everyone, so spread the word—and save a life!

Most cases of colon cancer could be prevented with regular colonoscopies. Unfortunately, 1 out of 3 adults between 50 and 75 years of age are not getting recommended screenings. Why are so many men and women taking chances with their colon health? According to surveys and studies, the bowel preparation is one of the biggest reasons that people choose to say “no” to a colonoscopy. What these individuals don’t know is that colonoscopy prep has changed dramatically in the past decade, and it’s all for the better! New preparation methods, innovative preparation foods and a prep-day menu makeover has helped make the colonoscopy more approachable than ever before. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, so let’s learn more about how colonoscopy preparation has improved over the years.

Same-Day Preparation Method vs. Split-Dose Preparation Method
In the past, there was only one way to prepare for a colonoscopy: the same-day bowel preparation method. This regimen required you to consume a large amount of purgative solution in a single dose on the night before your colonoscopy. There were many undesirable side effects to the same-day method, and it often caused abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea, or vomiting. Many patients reported that they could not finish drinking the prescribed amount of fluid, which resulted in incomplete bowel preparation and inconclusive test results.

Today, the split-dose method is now almost universally accepted among gastroenterologists because it results in a better bowel cleansing. You can take the first dose of prep solution the night before the procedure, and the second dose on the morning of the procedure. Patients almost unanimously prefer the split-dose method over the same-day method because the smaller volume of liquid is more palatable.

Most doctors also prefer the split-dose method because a thoroughly flushed bowel is the precursor for a quality colonoscopy. A clear colon allows your gastroenterologist to visualize and remove precancerous polyps. If these polyps are not removed, they can continue to grow and possibly develop into colon cancer. By removing the polyps, you are taking away the possibility that a polyp can become cancerous in the future. The split-dose method creates a better environment for your gastroenterologist to detect any abnormality in the colon, making it the preferred choice for patients and doctors.

New Colonoscopy Preparation Foods
Colonoscopy preparation products themselves could get a whole lot tastier in the near future. Some specialty food companies are developing bowel-clearing beverages and foods that contain the same active ingredient, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350, as the prescription laxatives. Instead of having to drink a salty, medicine-like beverage, how about a strawberry banana smoothie, a vanilla shake or a lemon cooler bar that will bring about the same result? Researchers are hoping that these food products will soon be available for colonoscopy patients and that the variety of choices will ultimately help increase colon cancer screening rates. Insurance will likely not cover these new products, but people may be willing to spend a little more money for an option that is more pleasant.

Clear Liquid Diet vs. Low Residue Diet
The third improvement in colonoscopy preparation is the prep day menu. In the past, only clear liquids were allowed on the day before your colonoscopy. These included broths, soft drinks, tea, black coffee, clear juices, Jell-O, and popsicles (except for red or blue). It’s not surprising that colonoscopy patients consistently complain about their hunger throughout the prep day. Fasting accompanied by a colon flush is unpleasant, to say the least. Many doctors question whether the clear liquid diet is mandatory, and some physicians believe that a low-residue/low fiber diet is sufficient for colonoscopy preparation.

Several new studies show that a low-residue diet is just as effective as a clear liquid diet for optimum visualization of the colon. Instead of patients only being allowed to have clear liquids, foods like white rice, white bread, refined pasta, cereals, crackers, vegetables without skin or seeds, fruit without peels or seeds, tender meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and broth-based soups may be permissible. More research needs to be done, but these studies provide convincing evidence that patients may not need to starve themselves and be uncomfortable in order to have a quality colonoscopy.

Today’s colonoscopy certainly isn’t your mother’s colonoscopy of 20 years ago. Talk to your doctor about the recent “makeover” that the colonoscopy has undergone, and when it would be best for you to get screened. There’s no better way to celebrate Colon Cancer Awareness Month than to schedule your screening colonoscopy, so thank you for doing your part!

Ringing in the New Year is an exciting event. “Out with the old, and in with the new,” people say. It’s a time to throw off bad habits and take on better, healthier ones that will precipitate true change. You can take this same adage and apply it to many aspects of your health such as your medicine cabinet. The New Year may be a perfect time to go through all those old medications and throw out the expired vitamins, aspirin, prescription and over-the-counter medications.

While it is easy to tell when food has gone bad in your refrigerator, it is not as easy to determine whether you medication and vitamins are due for replacement. Drug expiration dates exist on most medication labels, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) and dietary (herbal) supplements. But can medications be taken past their expiration date?

What does expiration date mean?
The expiration date on a medication is the final day that the manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of a medication. Since 1979, U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to post expiration dates on prescription products prior to marketing. For legal and liability reasons, drug companies will not make recommendations about the potency of drugs past the original expiration date. Taking medication past the expiration date may not do you any harm, but it may not be as effective after the date has passed. For some medications, you may see the expiration date as a “best used by” date.

Pills and solid forms of medication
In 2001, the American Medical Association (AMA) concluded that the actual shelf life of some medications extends past the expiration date. A study called the Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP) found that 88 percent of 122 drug products were still potent past their expiration date for an average of 66 months. That is five and a half years! Solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules, appear to be most stable past their expiration date (compared to liquid medication).

Antibiotics
Some medications, such as antibiotics, however, should be consumed within the specified number of days on the label. You may be tempted to keep those extra few antibiotic pills or additional milliliters in the bottle, but you shouldn’t, and this is why: if the antibiotic has lost its potency, you are putting yourself at risk. The bacteria that caused the infection will continue to spread, and it could likely develop an antibiotic-resistant strain. Using expired medication could have very dire consequences when it comes to serious infections.

Liquid drugs
Drugs in liquid form such as Epi-Pen auto-injectors should not be used after the expiration date because epinephrine can lose its potency. Anaphylaxis can be a life-and-death situation, so discard Epi-Pens that have passed their expiration date. Ophthalmic eye drops for conditions such as pink eye should be discarded after the expiration date because eye drops often contain preservatives. These preservatives break down over time and may allow bacterial growth that could result in eye damage.
Insulin, oral nitroglycerin, and other liquid vaccines should be discarded after the expiration date. If the liquid has become cloudy, powdery, crusty, or has a strong smell (even if the expiration date has not passed), throw it out. You can always take your medication to your local pharmacist if you are unsure of its potency.

Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most commonly prescribed class of medication for the treatment of heartburn and acid-related disorders. PPIs reduce the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking its acid-producing glands. Reduced acid production gives damaged esophageal tissue time to heal, and cures most cases of esophagitis.

If you are taking PPIs, make sure you are using them as directed on the Drug Facts label. PPIs should only be used as directed for 14 days for the treatment of frequent heartburn. Studies show that long-term usage of PPIs can have some very dangerous side effects. Beyond the common side effects of prolonged PPI use, such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, you can experience vitamin deficiency, poor absorption of nutrients, hypocalcemia, pneumonia, and increased risk of dementia. If you take PPIs, you should only take a 14-day treatment before visiting your doctor. If you have been taking PPIs, toss out those over-the-counter pills and make an appointment with your doctor.

Make a fresh start this New Year by tossing out old medication and replenishing your medicine cabinet. If you have some medications that are expensive to replace but you are unsure of its potency, talk to your doctor or pharmacist so you can make an informed decision. For all other medications, use your best judgement. If in doubt, don’t take any risks. Your health and well-being is worth a new bottle of medication, vitamins or supplements.