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Twisted colon (colonic volvulus): A twisted colon is a twisting of a portion of the colon around its mesentery creating a colonic obstruction. The sigmoid colon and cecum are the most common portions of the colon involved in a colonic volvulus.
A twisted colon can be very painful. A lack of fiber in your diet is one of the main contributing factors to how your colon got twisted; however, there many other possibilities: chronic constipation, the presence of pathogenic organisms, nutritional deficiencies, a toxic-laden colon, and stress. When twists are present they often occur along with constrictions, ballooning and prolapses that are not normal in the colon.
There are two types of twisted colons: Sigmoid volvulus and cecal volvulus
Sigmoid Volvulus
Background: Sigmoid volvulus is the most common form of volvulus of the gastrointestinal tract and is responsible for 8% of all intestinal obstructions. Sigmoid volvulus is particularly common in elderly persons. Patients present with abdominal pain, distension, and absolute constipation. Predisposing factors include chronic constipation, mega colon, and an excessively mobile colon. Plain abdominal radiograph findings are usually diagnostic. Decompression may be achieved with the introduction of a stiff tube per the rectum, aided by endoscopy or fluoroscopy. Early radiographic recognition is important to prevent mortality related to sigmoid volvulus.
Cecal Volvulus
Background: The term cecal volvulus is a misnomer because, in most patients with cecal volvulus, the torsion is located in the ascending colon above the ileocecal valve. In general, a partial malrotation is necessary for cecal volvulus to occur, because the cecum and also parts of the ascending colon are involved. Early diagnosis is essential to reduce the high mortality rate reported with this condition, which is essentially a closed-loop obstruction that may lead to vascular compromise with consequent gangrene and perforation.
Theodore Frazer http://www.colonproducts.com
Colon Cancer DiagnosisGanoderma, a rare variety of Mushroom credited with the highest medicinal qualities by the classic Chinese Seng Nong is indeed a subject of much research from the ancient china of 100 B.C. or earlier to the modern times by various universities and research organizations. It is also known as Linghzi in China and Reishi in Japan.
It is said that in the ancient times anyone who found the rare Linghzi herb never revealed the place and kept it a secret of health, longevity and wealth. The Japanese revered the herb as Gods Herb where it is known as Reishi.
Lingzhi herbal mushrooms in medicine was considered so auspicious that its medical efficacy has been attested to in the oldest Chinese medical text (over 2,000 years old). The book, which is known in Japan as "Shinnoh Honsohkyo", is now accepted as being the original textbook of Oriental medical science. In it, 365 kinds of medicines are classified and explained. Ganoderma is classified as Superior Herb or "God's Herbs" and they are for perpetual youth and longevity. The book states that for "superior" medicines, any amount can be taken as desired on a continuous basis with no unfavorable effects. Of the superior medicines listed in the text, Lingzhi was rated number one. You can see how important and powerful Lingzhi was considered in ancient times. It achieved its ranking in the Chinese text not because of its symbolic importance as a good omen but because of its medicinal properties. Centuries ago, Lingzhi was said to be a medicine that would grant you eternal youth and longevity.
But after 2,000 years, Lingzhi has jumped into the spotlight as a specific medicine for cancer. This must be a bitter irony for those in the modern medical profession who discounted the herbal remedies and oriental medicine as being old wives' tales". The families of many cancer patients who have received a diagnostic "death sentence" now seek reishi as the only way left for them.
The Linghzi Mushrooms grows only on old tree barks with specific conditions difficult to replicate.
Till 1971 the herb was so rare that it was hardly sited except in mountainous areas. Many researchers had attempted to plant Ganoderma artificially but failed. Till in 1971 directed by Naoi Department of Agriculture and Professor Zenzaburo Kasai, Kyoto University made a breakthrough in its cultivation.
Presently the herb is grown only by 10 countries. The demand far outstrips supply due to the increasing evidence through various researches on its efficacy in treating many disease including Cancer, HIV, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Liver disorders and mainly as a preventive due its rich anti oxidant and detoxifying qualities.
Some of the research in Japan indicates that those that have taken Ganoderma for over a year the visit to doctors dropped into half. There are thousands of research paper available including on the internet on the subject of the healing breakthroughs achieved by Lingzhi or Ganoderma in various treatments and too lengthy to discuss here. However we can highlight the research in short.
Summarized from these reports, it is found that Lingzhi have the following properties:
Improves cholesterosis, coronary insufficiency.
Improves hyper and hypotensions.
Improves nervous tension, neurosis.
Improves chronic bronchitis, hepatitis.
Improves leukocytopenia and reticuloendothelial system.
Effective in numerous other ailments.
The three major killers these days are: cancer, cerebrosis and coronary diseases. The latter two have their etiology closely linked to the blood circulatory system. Related problems like stroke, heart block, arteriosclerosis, obesity etc. are all tied to problems in the blood circulation. One out of three persons dies from one of the above ailments everyday.
Lingzhi can correct this imbalance and strengthen the system to prevent further deterioration.
What is noteworthy are its preventive capabilities. For the 21st century man, stressed out, poisoned by the polluted atmosphere, wrong food habits and drug induced illnesses of the modern medicine. While modern medicine has been very effective in treating certain conditions effectively and immediately, they do not address the holistic approach of the ancient medicine as a preventive and for regeneration of wasted tissues and damaged cells.
In conclusion, Ganoderma has been proven to exert significant effect on diminishing pain, fortifying the body's immune system and prolonging life. Even though its role in cancer control has not been determined 100 percent yet.
Ganoderma has a history of 3,000 years, during which time it is widely used by many people with no reported unfavorable side effects. It is therefore highly recommend for prevention. I hope that people from all walks of life will take a concerned interest and share in development of Herbal treatments. Hopefully, with so much research and emerging evidence, Ganoderma can bring a brighter outlook to the human race in the conquest of longevity.
R.G. Srinivasan is a Managerial professional, Writer and Author. He is passionate about alternate therapies and holistic herbal medicine. Check out his site at http://venturelinks.googlepages.com for interesting articles, healthnews, links and health resources.
Diseases Of The Colon