[This content is a story-based medical science article, please read it rationally, and do not sit down]
Xiao Zhou is a young and promising lawyer who is busy with cases on weekdays and has little time to care about his body. Until one day, he noticed a subtle change in his bowel habits. The change wasn't noticeable at first, and he didn't pay much attention to it. But over time, these small problems have become impossible to ignore.
That morning, Xiao Zhou was ready to go to work as usual. As soon as he walked into the office, he felt a pang of discomfort in his abdomen and rushed to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet, he suddenly realized that he had been in this situation for several days in a row. I always feel that the bowel movements are not smooth, and there is a strange feeling.
Xiao Zhou recalled that in the recent period, his bowel habits seemed to have undergone some changes. Sometimes it feels like something is blocked in my stomach, and my bowel movements are not smooth enough; Sometimes I feel like I'm done with the queue, but I still feel like I'm not done. What worries him even more is that he occasionally sees a trace of blood in the toilet.
These symptoms made Xiao Zhou feel a little uneasy. He decided to go to the hospital for a full check-up.
When he came to the hospital, Xiao Zhou described his symptoms to the doctor in detail. After listening to Xiao Zhou's narration, the doctor had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Xiao Zhou, based on the symptoms you described, I suggest you have a colonoscopy." "It's likely that your symptoms are caused by intestinal polyps. "
"Intestinal polyps?" Xiao Zhou was a little confused, "What is that?" Is it serious? "
"Intestinal polyps are protrusions that grow on the lining of the intestines, and most polyps are benign, but some can develop into cancer if left untreated," the doctor patiently explained. But don't worry too much, let's do the inspection first and make sure the situation is going on. "
After Xiao Zhou underwent a colonoscopy, the results were exactly as the doctor expected - several polyps of different sizes were found in his colon.
"Luckily, they were detected early," the doctor said, "and these polyps are still benign and we can remove them endoscopically." "
Hearing the news, Xiao Zhou breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he was also afraid of the warnings he had given by ignoring his body before. He couldn't help but ask, "Doctor, what happens if I come a little later?" "
The doctor said solemnly: "If it is delayed for too long, the polyp may evolve into cancer." Bowel cancer often has no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and by the time obvious symptoms appear, it is often already in the middle and advanced stages. That's why we have been emphasizing the importance of early screening, early detection, and early treatment. "
Xiao Zhou nodded thoughtfully, "Doctor, can you tell me specifically, in addition to these symptoms I have encountered, what other signs may indicate the growth of polyps in the intestines?" "
The doctor smiled, "I'm glad you asked that." In fact, in addition to these you encounter, there are several common 'tips' that you should pay more attention to. "
"The first tip is a change in bowel habits. If you find yourself suddenly moving from regular bowel movements to irregular bowel movements, or if frequent constipation and diarrhea alternate, then be alarmed. This may be the result of polyps hindering the normal movement of the intestines. "
"The second cue is mucus or blood streaks during bowel movements. The blood vessels on the surface of polyps are fragile and prone to rupture and bleed. If you see red or dark red blood stains in the toilet, don't take it lightly. "
"The third tip is that after a bowel movement, there is a feeling that you can't finish your bowel movements. This is because the presence of polyps may affect the receptivity of the rectum and give you the illusion that you can't drain cleanly. "
"The fourth tip is abdominal discomfort or pain. While early polyps usually don't cause significant pain, as polyps grow, they can cause dull pain or discomfort in the abdomen. "
"The fifth tip is inexplicable anemia. If a polyp bleeds for a long time, even in small amounts, it can lead to slowly progressive anemia. If you feel tired and pale all the time, it's a good idea to check your blood routine. "
After listening to the doctor's explanation, Xiao Zhou suddenly realized, "It turns out that there may be such a big hidden danger behind these seemingly ordinary symptoms. Doctor, how can we prevent intestinal polyps? "
The doctor nodded, "The key to preventing intestinal polyps is to develop a healthy lifestyle. First of all, maintain a balanced diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and reduce the intake of high-fat, high-protein foods. Secondly, it is necessary to develop good bowel habits and do not hold stool for a long time. In addition, it is necessary to exercise moderately and maintain an ideal weight. Finally, it's important to quit smoking and limit alcohol. "
"In addition to this," the doctor continued, "regular medical check-ups are also crucial, especially for people with a family history of the disease, or those over the age of 50, it is recommended to have a fecal occult blood test every year and a colonoscopy every 3-5 years. "
Xiao Zhou nodded thoughtfully, "I understand." It seems that we really need to take care of our bodies. "
The doctor smiled and said: "That's right, I often tell patients that our body is like a delicate instrument, and we should pay more attention to the various signals it emitts, and don't wait until the 'alarm light' comes on before thinking about maintenance." "
Listening to the doctor's words, Xiao Zhou couldn't help but feel emotional. He remembered that he had been so busy with work that he had ignored the warnings from his body. Now that I think about it, this kind of behavior is really unwise.
On the way home from the hospital, Xiao Zhou made up his mind to change his lifestyle. He plans to adjust his diet from tomorrow onwards, eating more vegetables and fruits, and less meat and greasy foods. At the same time, he also plans to set aside half an hour a day to exercise, which can not only strengthen his body, but also relieve work pressure.
Back home, Xiao Zhou shared today's experience with his wife. The wife was very worried, but she was also glad that her husband had discovered the problem in time. The two decided to urge each other from now on to develop healthy habits together.
After this experience, Xiao Zhou deeply realized the importance of health. He understands that no matter how successful his career is, everything will be meaningless if he is not backed by a healthy body. Since then, he has not only paid more attention to his physical condition, but also often promoted the importance of preventing intestinal polyps to his friends.
A few months later, Xiao Zhou went to the hospital again for a follow-up. The doctor happily told him that he was recovering well after the surgery and that there were no new polyps at the moment. Looking at the doctor's approving gaze, Xiao Zhou felt sincerely relieved.
This experience made Xiao Zhou understand that those seemingly insignificant details in life may be important signals that the body sends to us. We need to learn to listen to our body and be alert to every "cue" it gives. Only in this way can we truly prepare for a rainy day and stifle the disease before it takes shape.
Health is our most valuable asset. Let's work together to take care of our bodies and enjoy a healthy and happy life!