Colorectal Diseases:
Medical experts have raised alarms over the rising incidence of colorectal diseases in India.
- Colorectal disease is a general term used to describe many digestive conditions that affect the colon and rectum.
- These diseases can be inflammatory, infectious, functional, or cancerous.
- These conditions can range from mild to severe.
- Colorectal diseases include colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, among others.
- Colorectal diseases are very common.
- Some can cause recognizable symptoms such as abdominal pain or rectal bleeding. Others may progress silently, detectable only through screenings.
- Common symptoms of colorectal diseases include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Diarrhea or constipation that doesn’t go away
- Rectal or anal pain
- Prevention & Public Health Measures:
- Dietary Changes: High-fiber diet (whole grains, fruits, vegetables), reduced red meat consumption.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Regular physical activity, adequate hydration, avoiding smoking, and alcohol.
- Screening & Early Detection:
- Colonoscopy for individuals > 45 years.
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) for detecting hidden blood in stool.
- Public Health Initiatives: Awareness programs on colorectal cancer screening and lifestyle modifications.
