Fecal occult blood test

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) aids in detecting any occult blood in the stool. This test is part of any colorectal cancer screening process. New flushable reagent pads allow you to conduct this test either at home or a laboratory. About 2 -3 stool samples are taken on different days to check for fecal occult blood. While FOBT can detect presence of blood in the stool, it can pinpoint the cause. Fecal occult blood can occur due to colon cancer, gastritis, hemorrhoids, fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer or esophagitis. Fecal occult blood test must not be conducted if the person is suffering from colitis, diarrhea, constipation or diverticulitis. Women who are menstruating or persons with active anal bleeding due to fissures or hemorrhoids must not take the FOBT. Avoid eating beets, grapefruit, poulty, red meat cooked rare, turnips or horseradish about 48 hours prior to FOBT. If any blood is detected during fecal occult blood test, further diagnostic tests are conducted to check the causes.

Colorectal Cancer

The colon and rectum are continuous and cancers affecting them are referred to as colorectal cancers. Rectal cancer causes nearly 50,000 deaths a year in the U.S alone. Nearly 2/3 of colorectal cancers occur in the colon while about 1/2 occur in the rectum. In fact, colorectal cancers are the third-leading cause for cancer deaths in the U.S. after lung cancer and breast cancer. Typically colon cancer starts as small adenomatous polyps that later turn cancerous. Incidence of colorectal cancer is higher in Western nations as compared to Asian and African countries. More men tend to get affected by this form of cancer than women. Often heriditary syndromes cause multiple polyps in the digestive tract. Environmental and genetic factors play a large role in the occurence of colorectal cancers. Those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancers.

Rectal cancers do not produce symptoms in the initial stages. They can be detected only by digital or proctoscopic screening tests. If you notice blood in your stools or change in the shape of the stools or cramping pain in the lower abdomen, visit a doctor to check for signs of colorectal cancer. Patients may notice change in bowel habits and urinary symptoms. Stools may be narrower and often black and tarry. A feeling of bloating or colic pain may be experienced on account of obstruction due to tumor. Sometimes there is bowel perforation accompanied by fever and pain. Weight loss, fatigue and anemia may result.

A digital rectal examination helps in detecting abnormal lesions. Any tumor can be assesed for size and ulceration. Laboratory tests and screening procedures such as x-rays and endoscopy aid in visualizing the lining of the colon. Since the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, the American Cancer Society recommends yearly digital examination of the rectum for those above 50 years. Any abnormal lesions in the rectum are examined and a biopsy is performed. If a diagnosis of rectal cancer is established, staging has to be establshed to determine the depth of tumor penetration. Staging aids the physician in determining the treatment options. Rectal cancers are divided into 4 stages. In the first 2 stages and suspected stage 3 state, surgery is used to remove the affected part of the rectum along with its vascular and lymph. Radiation and chemotherapy are also resorted to. Radiation therapy helps in shrinking the tumor prior to srugery. Rectal cancer is often linked to diets rich in fat and calories and low in fiber. Colon cancers can be prevented with the right diet and lifestyle. Diets rich in unsaturated animal fats and highly saturated vegetable oils are known to cause colorectal cancers. High-fiber food helps in the formation of soft and bulky stools, diluting carcinogens and decreasing colonic transit time. This allows lesser chance for polyps to develop. Other dietary elements such as calcium, selenium, carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E help in detroying dangerous free radicals in the colon.

Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is an intestinal disorder characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is characterized by ulceration of the intestines and affects the GI tract. The exact cause for Crohn's disease is unknown thought it is suspected to be due to bacterial infection. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that differs from ulcerative colitis in that the inflammation and ulceration is noticed in all the layers of the intestines. It is noticed that people of Jewish descent are at increased risk for developing Crohn's disease. The symptoms are similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

20% cases of Crohn's disease are heriditary in nature. Symptoms of Crohn's disease are rectal bleeing and diarrhea. There is abdominal pain and weight loss. Nutritional deficiencies are noticed with patients suffering from Crohn's disease caused due to poor absorption. There may be arthritis, skin problems or gallstones.

Blood tests are done to check for presence of certain antibodies that may help diagnose Crohn's disease. A colonoscopy can aid the doctor in examining the lining of the intestines and checking the extent of inflammation. A small sample may also be taken for biopsy. CT scans and small bowel x-rays can help in identifying the areas of inflammation within the intestines. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to control inflammation. Corticosteroids such as Prednisone are used in treating Crohn's disease. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Surgery is often resorted to in most cases of Crohn's disease. A part of the intestine is removed or any blockage is removed. But Crohn's disease is likely to resurface after some years of surgery.