So, for the past few days we've been talking about issues with our large intestine. Everything from a swollen colon to farting. So today . . . let's continue and talk about "Polyps"
So the question for today is this . . . . what exactly is this "polyp" that gastroenterologists talk about ?
Well . . . simply put . . . it's an "abnormal tissue growth on a mucous membrane".
Now . . . we can get "polyps" anywhere that we have a moist, mucous environment, such as in our nose, uterus or colon . . . but today we concentrate on just the colon.
Okay . . . so a colon "polyp" is a small clump of cells that form on the lining of the colon, with most being harmless
There are two groups that are distinguished by their growth pattern. "Pedunculated" polyps hang from a short stalk and "Sessile" polyps are flat and grow directly out of the surrounding tissue. With the more common polyps being "pedunculated".
So what do most polyps look like???
Well . . . science says, they look like a mushroom.
And that "would" be a good description. You know . . . an umbrella shape that kind of flops around inside the intestine because they're only attached to the lining of the colon by a thin stalk.
So I'm sure your next question is . . . What causes this disruption and devastation to our colon???
Well again . . . science says . . . "mutations in certain genes can cause cells to continue dividing even when new cells aren't needed. In the colon and rectum, this unregulated growth can cause polyps to form and can develop anywhere in the large intestine".
So let's dig a little deeper . . .
As you know, if you follow my Health Tips everyday . . . that my theory to optimal health is about going back to basics and correcting the body's "Internal Dialogue" . . . and this would be no different.
Poor diet and lack of physical activity in our life is the main reason our body changes and becomes ill with any ailment or disease. And fatty foods such as fried foods, red meat such as beef and pork, processed meat such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs and lunch meats "all" have a hand in causing "polyps".
You see . . . as I've stated so many times before . . . the large intestine houses the biggest amount of our "good" and "bad" bacteria. With the ratio being "good" a little more than "bad". This is the normal function in the large intestine.
But due to this Western diet we love so much . . . and the "antibiotics" and steroids we so liberally take . . . this ratio of "good" to "bad" now changes.
At this time . . . this "bad" bacteria can take over the colon and body. And with this . . . the body now become too "acidic". We've spoken of this many times before.
And if that's not bad enough . . . illness and disease can "only" live in an "acidic, oxygen deprived" environment.
So where do "polyps" fit into this mess???
Well . . . polyps, like any growth are just a change to the DNA of a single cells, which now becomes an abnormal . . . a mutation. This mutation now multiplies into many abnormal cells forming a growth. And if left untreated . . . this cluster of mutated, abnormal cells (growth) can change again and become cancerous.
So now you ask . . . how long does it take for a polyp to turn cancerous?
Well . . . generally, it's about a 10 - 15 year process.
But, hold your horses . . . that doesn't mean we can just sit back and not do anything about correcting our health.
So how does the DNA of this single cells change in the first place???
And how do we fix it???
Tomorrow we'll continue this conversation
As always, feel free to contact me here