WHAT IS COLORECTAL POLYP?

Colorectal polyp also called colonic polyps, is an abnormal growth of the cells that appear on the lining of the colon or large intestine, mainly this growth is not harmful but sometimes it may prove fatal.

The intestines are part of the digestive system, digestive system is divided into three parts:

• small intestine - which is about 20 feet long, it absorbs the nutrition from the food.
• large intestine(colon ) - large intestine is about 5 feet long, it is a hollow long tube situated at the bottom of the digestive tract, and the function of the large intestine is to make and store stool.
• rectum - hole or opening from the stool passed out 

The majority of polyps are benign which means it harmless and non-cancerous but in rare cases, they are abnormal growths, they can eventually become malignant or cancerous.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF COLORECTAL POLYPS?

Mainly there are two types of polyp 

• Neoplastic polyp - in neoplastic growth two types of the colon are found Serrated and adenomatous polyps- these are the most common type of polyp, and if left untreated it leads to colon cancer, the majority of the polyps arise on the right side more prone to developing into cancer  
• Non-neoplastic polyp -this group includes hyperplastic, hamartomas, and inflammatory polyps. These polyps are harmless and do not develop into cancer. This polyp is related to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR COLORECTAL POLYPS?

• Age -polyp mainly occurs in older ages mainly above 40 
• Medical conditions - some inflammatory diseases of the intestine such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease 
• Weight - people who are overweight are more prone to these conditions 
• Hereditary - sometimes polyps occur due to inheriting a genetic mutation, some hereditary diseases can cause polyps such as Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, serrated polyposis syndrome 
• Stress -stress cause the immunity low and make susceptible to disease
• Sedentary lifestyle - people who lead a sedentary lifestyle such as lack exercise, eating junk food, and not taking food at the proper time lead to colon polyps. 
• Addictions - bad habits such as smoking using tobacco and excessive stimulants such as coffee, excessive tea, or cold drinks
• Race - African - American people are more prone to develop colorectal polyps.
• Diabetes- diabetes long untreated can lead to polyp in the intestine.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF COLORECTAL POLYPS?

• If the polyp is not treated it leads to cancer of the colon 
• Colon perforation 
• Bleeding 
• Anemia if the bleeding occurs slowly and for the prolonged period

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COLORECTAL POLYPS?

• Pain in abdomen 
• Constipation
• Diarrhea 
• Blood in the stool may be blood mixed with the stool or maybe on the surface of the stool.
• Blacky stool if the polyp is bleeding 
• Excess mucus in the blood
• Weakness 
• Fainting
• Pale skin 
• Bleeding from the rectum 
• Rapid heart rate 
• Rarely diarrhea when polyps secrete fluids into the intestine 
•  constipation if the polyp causes obstruction 

Signs and symptoms are worse under some conditions such as

• Smoking
• Type, size, and location of the polyp
• Blood clotting disorder 
• Chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF COLORECTAL POLYPS?

The exact cause is unknown but doctors believe it may occur due to some triggering factors such as 

• A diet rich in fat 
• Persons who eat more red meat 
• Lack of fiber in the diet 
• Bad habits - consumption of smoking and alcohol
• An obese person is more prone 
• Genetic - when the cells start to multiply more than the natural procedure due to some genetic defect if this overgrowth occurs in rectum polyp occur in the rectum or if this abnormal growth occurs in colon, colon polyps occur.

DIAGNOSIS OF COLORECTAL POLYPS

Diagnosis is made by taking a medical history, asking about risk factors 

And physical examination help in making the diagnosis. 

Some screening examinations are 

• Colonoscopy - in this procedure a long thin tube with a camera and light fitted, is inserted into the rectum to find out the polyp, if the polyp is found some surgeons remove the polyp at the same time or take some sample of tissue for further examination, to rule the cancerous condition
• Sigmoidoscopy - the method of sigmoidoscopy is the same but, this test is done to see the rectum and lower colon. But polyp is not removed in this process 
• CT colonography(virtual colonoscopy)- this test used CT scans to take images of the rectum, is also done for seeing the rectum in 2D or 3D 
• Stool examination under a microscope to rule out the invisible blood in the stool
• Barium enema - in this process doctor inserts liquid barium in the rectum  and by using an x-ray takes images of your colon 

TREATMENT OF COLORECTAL POLYPS

Conventional  treatment is the removal of a polyp, the majority of the polyp is removed during the process of colonoscopy

But it is not safe, homeopathy medicine can prevent surgery through medicines

MANAGEMENT OF COLORECTAL POLYPS

• Change in the sedentary lifestyle 
• Drink plenty of water 
• Limit the use of coffee, cola, drinks and alcohol, spicy food,
• Avoid taking a diet that is rich in fat  
• Eat a healthy diet such as adding more vegetables and fruits and whole grains to your diet 
• Maintain healthy weight 
• Limit consumption of taking processed food 

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF COLORECTAL POLYPS

Homeopathic medicine is very effective in colorectal polyps because it helps in shrinking the polyp and it is very safe and effective, giving you a permanent solution to the polyps.

 But only constitutional medicine will you and taking medicine only after consulting with the registered homeopathy medical practitioner

Some homeopathic medicines are kali bromatum ,calc phos ,ammonium mur ,nux vomica ,and phosphorus , nitric acid ,mercurius solubilis,thuja ,veratrum album,hydrastis ,alumina,aloes .

Do’s and don'ts

Do's

• If you are at higher risk of the polyp and your age is 50 you must go for screened regularly 
• Take a healthy diet, a diet low in fat, spices
• Drink lots of water 
• Keep active 
• Take walk after taking dinner 
• Do exercise daily and yoga

Don’ts

• Avoid  smoking and alcohol
• Avoid stress
• Avoid junk food
• Avoid tobacco 
• Avoid processed food