Tag Archives: Defecation

Straight, No Chaser: Toxin and Detoxification Series Summary

Health Prevention, Medical Treatment, , , , , , , , , , , ,

bigstock_Smiley_ball_sending_message_ab_25677302
I want to thank you for all the positive responses to the series of posts on toxins and detoxification. You have shared many personal stories and asked many great questions. I guess I’ll continue to accept your being shy (especially on these topics) about asking personal questions publicly, but keep contacting me here. To that end, I’ll summarize by sharing some of your thoughts and making a few final comments.
You can’t escape toxins, but you can pretty easily reduce your exposure to them. For the things you can control, “everything in moderation” is a pretty good rule of thumb for most, except for cigarette smoke into your lungs. That just needs to stop.
Your body does a great job of detoxification through the lungs, kidneys, liver, intestines and skin. This process is retarded by age and the effects of toxins on these systems.
There are a lot of fad diets and questionable methods of detoxifying. Most have risks that should make you cautious. None are more effective than tuning your body to do its best work. Furthermore, these methods are invariably more effective in the short-term than the long-term.
Now, to some of your questions.
1. So are you saying bowel movements are good enough to detox the intestines?
Until and unless your bad habits catch up with you, yes. Consider the ways the large intestines (the colon) handle toxins.

  • If healthy, the colon sheds old cells about every three days, preventing a buildup of harmful material. It regenerates new healthy cells in their place. It’s lining includes mucus membranes that can keep toxic substances from reentering the blood and tissues.
  • You have “natural” bacteria that reside in the colon. They actually detoxify food wastes for you. (One of the potential issues of colon cleansing is the removal of these bacteria.)
  • The liver’s main function is to neutralize toxins.
  • Your bowel movements remove waste and toxins from you. Although the number of bowel movements vary between individuals, your body (if healthy) is able to regulate when you defecate based on your needs.
  • Increasing the number of bowel movements doesn’t improve weight loss. That’s because the body absorbs most calories before they reach the large intestine.

Nothing in a colonic or juice fast will match this level of effectiveness. Spend your efforts keeping your body healthy. Increase your fiber, water, fruit and vegetable intake. Lower or eliminate the intake of red meat, cigarettes and alcohol. There’s your detox program all day long.
2. So what’s the verdict on the detox diets and colon cleansing?
Consult with your physician. I’d imagine that using the diets as a starting point for lifestyle changes would be endorsed. I’d doubt that any fad diet would be endorsed.
3. You said tap water is no longer good? Should I exclusively drink bottled water?
Actually filtered water is even better.
4. Are you suggesting I stop wearing makeup?
You’re beautiful just the way you are.
5. Have you ever had a colonic?
Yes, and it made me feel dirty. (Was that serious, or a joke?)
6. I’d never do that.
Actually, you will. (Well, almost.) Many men over 50 will have a colonoscopy to evaluate for the possibility of colon cancer at some point. If and when you get that, you’ll get your colon cleanse solution one to two days before the procedure and maybe an enema in addition. At least you’ll be under the care of a physician, and you’ll get a sedative first!
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2017 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Toxin and Detoxification Series Summary

Health Prevention, Medical Treatment, , , , , , , , , , ,

bigstock_Smiley_ball_sending_message_ab_25677302
I want to thank you for all the positive responses to the series of posts on toxins and detoxification. You have shared many personal stories and asked many great questions. I guess I’ll continue to accept your being shy (especially on these topics) about asking personal questions publicly, but keep contacting me here. To that end, I’ll summarize by sharing some of your thoughts and making a few final comments.
You can’t escape toxins, but you can pretty easily reduce your exposure to them. For the things you can control, “everything in moderation” is a pretty good rule of thumb for most, except for cigarette smoke into your lungs. That just needs to stop.
Your body does a great job of detoxification through the lungs, kidneys, liver, intestines and skin. This process is retarded by age and the effects of toxins on these systems.
There are a lot of fad diets and questionable methods of detoxifying. Most have risks that should make you cautious. None are more effective than tuning your body to do its best work. Furthermore, these methods are invariably more effective in the short-term than the long-term.
Now, to some of your questions.
1. So are you saying bowel movements are good enough to detox the intestines?
Until and unless your bad habits catch up with you, yes. Consider the ways the large intestines (the colon) handle toxins.

  • If healthy, the colon sheds old cells about every three days, preventing a buildup of harmful material. It regenerates new healthy cells in their place. It’s lining includes mucus membranes that can keep toxic substances from reentering the blood and tissues.
  • You have “natural” bacteria that reside in the colon. They actually detoxify food wastes for you. (One of the potential issues of colon cleansing is the removal of these bacteria.)
  • The liver’s main function is to neutralize toxins.
  • Your bowel movements remove waste and toxins from you. Although the number of bowel movements vary between individuals, your body (if healthy) is able to regulate when you defecate based on your needs.
  • Increasing the number of bowel movements doesn’t improve weight loss. That’s because the body absorbs most calories before they reach the large intestine.

Nothing in a colonic or juice fast will match this level of effectiveness. Spend your efforts keeping your body healthy. Increase your fiber, water, fruit and vegetable intake. Lower or eliminate the intake of red meat, cigarettes and alcohol. There’s your detox program all day long.
2. So what’s the verdict on the detox diets and colon cleansing?
Consult with your physician. I’d imagine that using the diets as a starting point for lifestyle changes would be endorsed. I’d doubt that any fad diet would be endorsed.
3. You said tap water is no longer good? Should I exclusively drink bottled water?
Actually filtered water is even better.
4. Are you suggesting I stop wearing makeup?
You’re beautiful just the way you are.
5. Have you ever had a colonic?
Yes, and it made me feel dirty. (Was that serious, or a joke?)
6. I’d never do that.
Actually, you will. (Well, almost.) Many men over 50 will have a colonoscopy to evaluate for the possibility of colon cancer at some point. If and when you get that, you’ll get your colon cleanse solution one to two days before the procedure and maybe an enema in addition. At least you’ll be under the care of a physician, and you’ll get a sedative first!
Feel free to ask any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2016 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Got Hemorrhoids?

Genital/Urinary, Gastrointestinal, , , , , , , , , , ,

 Bath reading

Yes, you do.  I can hear you now.  Aww, doc!  Why are you talking about this first thing in the morning?  Well, a lot of you have them 24 hours a day, so now is as good as a time as any.  I know this topic is a pain (no pun intended), but you should consider reading this before your next bowel movement.
Let’s talk about hemorrhoids, and we’re gonna make this simple.
1. What are they?  Hemorrhoids are swollen veins either inside (internal hemorrhoids) or outside (external hemorrhoids) the anal canal.  It’s not uncommon for people to have both types at the same time.  You should wonder if you have them if and when you experience pain, bleeding and itching to the perianal area.
2. Why do you get them?  It’s all about pressure.  The blood that is circulating to the skin near the anus finds itself in outpoutchings when you strain and stretch the skin while having a bowel movement.  Pregnancy is another time when hemorrhoids become common.  I’ve literally seen hemorrhoids form before my eyes during the straining of childbirth.  The table is set for that in advance, as the pressure of the last two trimesters on the pelvic vessels also causes development of hemorrhoids.  The same goes for the obese.  Plus, you sit too much.
3. How can I prevent them?  You should start with ensuring that you’re eating a high fiber diet (fruits, vegetables and whole grains), exercising and drinking a lot of water.  Becoming constipated and having to strain is a sure way to developing hemorrhoids.  Does anyone remember Al Bundy from Married with Children?  Notice how he always took a newspaper to the toilet?  That’s the other part of prevention.  Allowing your bowel movements to occur on their time-table without you straining keeps you without hemorrhoids.
4. How can I treat them?  The problem with hemorrhoids is they hurt, and hurting causes a vicious cycle.  Because they hurt (and bleed), you don’t want to have another bowel movement.  If you’re not having bowel movements, chances are you’ll get constipated.  If you get constipated, you’ll have to strain and endure pain.  And the cycle continues…  So, in order to break the cycle – WASH yourself (like the young lady in the lead picture).

  • Water (sitz bath)
  • Analgesics (pain medication, either topically or by mouth)
  • Stool softeners
  • High fiber diet

5. How will your physician treat them?

 hemorrhoid

Treatment in an emergency room setting is largely dependent on whether or not the external hemorrhoid has developed a blood clot (as shown in the lead picture).  These are the type that are especially painful and are called thrombosed external hemorrhoids.

  • Non-thrombosed internal hemorrhoids usually are initially treated conservatively as described above.
  • Sometimes internal hemorrhoids will need to be tied off with a surgical band, eliminating the blood supply to the hemorrhoid and forcing it to shrink or fall away.  Alternatively, the tissue around the internal hemorrhoid may be surgically scarred (ouch!) to the same effect.
  • Thrombosed external hemorrhoids need to have the clot removed.  This is done by the physician with a particular type of incision.

By this point, you should be thinking “I’ll take the prevention!”.  Trust me, that’s the correct choice.
As an emergency physician, I’m even more concerned about the possibility of something else being wrong.  Given that 10 million Americans are walking around with hemorrhoids anyway, that rectal bleeding could be due to something else, such as rectal, anal or colon cancer.  You may receive additional examinations specifically to rule out those considerations (they may involve tubes, probes and/or scoping).  Feel free to ask if you really want details.
Feel free to read this again as motivation during your next bowel movement.
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what 844-SMA-TALK and http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress. We are also on Facebook at SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2015 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight, No Chaser: Toxin and Detoxification Series Summary

Health Prevention, Medical Treatment, , , , , , , , , ,

bigstock_Smiley_ball_sending_message_ab_25677302
I want to thank you for all the positive responses to the series of posts on toxins and detoxification. You have shared many personal stories and asked many great questions. I guess I’ll continue to accept your being shy (especially on these topics) about asking personal questions publicly, but keep contacting me here. To that end, I’ll summarize by sharing some of your thoughts and making a few final comments.
You can’t escape toxins, but you can pretty easily reduce your exposure to them. For the things you can control, “everything in moderation” is a pretty good rule of thumb for most, except for cigarette smoke into your lungs. That just needs to stop.
Your body does a great job of detoxification through the lungs, kidneys, liver, intestines and skin. This process is retarded by age and the effects of toxins on these systems.
There are a lot of fad diets and questionable methods of detoxifying. Most have risks that should make you cautious. None are more effective than tuning your body to do its best work. Furthermore, these methods are invariably more effective in the short-term than the long-term.
Now, to some of your questions.
1. So are you saying bowel movements are good enough to detox the intestines?
Until and unless your bad habits catch up with you, yes. Consider the ways the large intestines (the colon) handle toxins.

  • If healthy, the colon sheds old cells about every three days, preventing a buildup of harmful material. It regenerates new healthy cells in their place. It’s lining includes mucus membranes that can keep toxic substances from reentering the blood and tissues.
  • You have “natural” bacteria that reside in the colon. They actually detoxify food wastes for you. (One of the potential issues of colon cleansing is the removal of these bacteria.)
  • The liver’s main function is to neutralize toxins.
  • Your bowel movements remove waste and toxins from you. Although the number of bowel movements vary between individuals, your body (if healthy) is able to regulate when you defecate based on your needs.
  • Increasing the number of bowel movements doesn’t improve weight loss. That’s because the body absorbs most calories before they reach the large intestine.

Nothing in a colonic or juice fast will match this level of effectiveness. Spend your efforts keeping your body healthy. Increase your fiber, water, fruit and vegetable intake. Lower or eliminate the intake of red meat, cigarettes and alcohol. There’s your detox program all day long.
2. So what’s the verdict on the detox diets and colon cleansing?
Consult with your physician. I’d imagine that using the diets as a starting point for lifestyle changes would be endorsed. I’d doubt that any fad diet would be endorsed.
3. You said tap water is no longer good? Should I exclusively drink bottled water?
Actually filtered water is even better.
4. Are you suggesting I stop wearing makeup?
You’re beautiful just the way you are.
5. Have you ever had a colonic?
Yes, and it made me feel dirty. (Was that serious, or a joke?)
6. I’d never do that.
Actually, you will. (Well, almost.) Many men over 50 will have a colonoscopy to evaluate for the possibility of colon cancer at some point. If and when you get that, you’ll get your colon cleanse solution one to two days before the procedure and maybe an enema in addition. At least you’ll be under the care of a physician, and you’ll get a sedative first!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what  http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2014 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

Straight No Chaser: Got Hemorrhoids?

Genital/Urinary, Gastrointestinal, , , , , , , , , , ,

hemorrhoid Bath reading

Yes, you do.  I can hear you now.  Aww, doc!  Why are you talking about this first thing in the morning?  Well, a lot of you have them 24 hours a day, so now is as good as a time as any.  I know this topic is a pain (no pun intended), but you should consider reading this before your next bowel movement.
Let’s talk about hemorrhoids, and we’re gonna make this simple.
1. What are they?  Hemorrhoids are swollen veins either inside (internal hemorrhoids) or outside (external hemorrhoids) the anal canal.  It’s not uncommon for people to have both types at the same time.  You should wonder if you have them if and when you experience pain, bleeding and itching to the perianal area.
2. Why do you get them?  It’s all about pressure.  The blood that is circulating to the skin near the anus finds itself in outpoutchings when you strain and stretch the skin while having a bowel movement.  Pregnancy is another time when hemorrhoids become common.  I’ve literally seen hemorrhoids form before my eyes during the straining of childbirth.  The table is set for that in advance, as the pressure of the last two trimesters on the pelvic vessels also causes development of hemorrhoids.  The same goes for the obese.  Plus, you sit too much.
3. How can I prevent them?  You should start with ensuring that you’re eating a high fiber diet (fruits, vegetables and whole grains), exercising and drinking a lot of water.  Becoming constipated and having to strain is a sure way to developing hemorrhoids.  Does anyone remember Al Bundy from Married with Children?  Notice how he always took a newspaper to the toilet?  That’s the other part of prevention.  Allowing your bowel movements to occur on their time-table without you straining keeps you without hemorrhoids.
4. How can I treat them?  The problem with hemorrhoids is they hurt, and hurting causes a vicious cycle.  Because they hurt (and bleed), you don’t want to have another bowel movement.  If you’re not having bowel movements, chances are you’ll get constipated.  If you get constipated, you’ll have to strain and endure pain.  And the cycle continues…  So, in order to break the cycle – WASH yourself (like the young lady in the lead picture).

  • Water (sitz bath)
  • Analgesics (pain medication, either topically or by mouth)
  • Stool softeners
  • High fiber diet

5. How will your physician treat them?  Treatment in an emergency room setting is largely dependent on whether or not the external hemorrhoid has developed a blood clot (as shown in the lead picture).  These are the type that are especially painful and are called thrombosed external hemorrhoids.

  • Non-thrombosed internal hemorrhoids usually are initially treated conservatively as described above.
  • Sometimes internal hemorrhoids will need to be tied off with a surgical band, eliminating the blood supply to the hemorrhoid and forcing it to shrink or fall away.  Alternatively, the tissue around the internal hemorrhoid may be surgically scarred (ouch!) to the same effect.
  • Thrombosed external hemorrhoids need to have the clot removed.  This is done by the physician with a particular type of incision.

By this point, you should be thinking “I’ll take the prevention!”.  Trust me, that’s the correct choice.
As an emergency physician, I’m even more concerned about the possibility of something else being wrong.  Given that 10 million Americans are walking around with hemorrhoids anyway, that rectal bleeding could be due to something else, such as rectal, anal or colon cancer.  You may receive additional examinations specifically to rule out those considerations (they may involve tubes, probes and/or scoping).  Feel free to ask if you really want details.
Feel free to read this again as motivation during your next bowel movement.
Copyright © 2013 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress