TALKING ABOUT POO IS NO LAUGHING MATTER

While we are still on the subject of loos, perhaps it's the right time to bring up a related topic, that of poo. As we advance in age, we might find ourselves grappling with irregular bowel movement. It could be due to several factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, too much bed rest, and side effects of prescription drugs. It is a common but embarrassing topic to bring up, but when we do nothing about it, and allow it to worsen, the end result could be colon cancer, or heart attacks and strokes related to chronic constipation.

I recall reading about Elvis Presley's death in August 1977. He was found unconscious on the bathroom floor. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His post mortem stated that he had died of cardiac arrhythmia - a form of heart attack. He was only 42, but already he was overweight and lived an unhealthy lifestyle.

Most reports said Elvis died of a drug overdose. But his doctor, Dr George Nickopoulos, who signed the death certificate, says it was chronic constipation that killed Elvis. He had so much compacted faecal matter that he literally gave himself a heart attack trying to force a bowel movement.

All of us have grappled with constipation at one time or another, especially when travelling and our regular bowel movement is thrown out of whack. When we carry too much accumulated poo for too long, we may end up with serious health complications the worst of which is colon cancer.

Not a pretty sight. Faecal matter eliminated from colonic cleansing.

It's time we got acquainted with our poo. Dr Oz will help us with this. Click here to view all the different kinds of poo we produce and what each type indicate.

A Google search on the topic confirms that drinking plenty of water is the cheapest and most effective means of preventing constipation. Next comes a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fibre, followed by regular exercise.

Foods to avoid include processed foods and deep fried foods. Also avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

Colon cancer is one of the easiest cancers to prevent.
And  W-A-T-E-R remains the undisputed No 1 preventive measure against colon cancer resulting from chronic constipation.

Some personal tips:

~ Carry a small bottle of water with you when you plan to be out for several hours. Better than resorting to buying soft drinks, teh tarik or expensive juices. Nothing beats plain boiled water from home.

~ Take plenty of vegetables, especially leafy ones and broccoli. You will have easy and smooth bowel movements just like my 6-year old granddaughter who pops into the loo to do her business and is done in five minutes or less.

~ Have high-fibre bread or cereals for breakfast. And make it a habit to move your bowels after that. Keep doing this, and after a week, it becomes part of your morning rituals.

~ If you haven't had a colonoscopy yet, might be a good idea to get one done. A painless prodedure, and if the doctor finds any polyps, he will remove them for you.

TAKE HEED, DURIAN LOVERS

Six-time Mr Asia Datuk Abdul Malek Noor, 54, suffered a heart attack last Wednesday while participating in a charity football match in Ipoh. There was speculation that the durian he consumed before the match could have triggered off the heart attack. The man himself denied that the fruit had anything to do with his clogged arteries. How would he know for sure?

Last July, Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang was hospitalized when he collapsed after consuming a feast of mutton and durian. His medical records revealed he has hypertension.

Three days ago, my mother who is on medication for her heart threw up in bed. She had eaten durian for dessert after dinner. On hindsight we should have not have allowed her to help herself to the fruit. This is a lesson learned. Ignorance is certainly not bliss in this case.

I brought the matter up with my mom's cardiologist at his clinic yesterday morning. He had done an angioplasty on her on 8 March. He was horrified that I had allowed her to take durian. He said although no research has been done on the link between durian and heart attacks, he had seen several patients who had complained of acute cardiac discomfort after consuming durian.

A scary durian episode for all three who, fortunately, are none the worse for the experience. (Top four photos: The Star & The New Straits Times)

My Google search revealed that people who have high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes should avoid taking durian. The Chinese believe that one should not eat durian with alcohol or mutton or other “heaty” food. The traditional practice is to eat durian with mangosteen which is cooling, and wash it down with Chinese tea.

Most of these claims are not backed by scientific studies, so how much to eat, and what should or shouldn't you combine durian with, is a matter of individual choice. The bottom line is this: are you prepared to take risks with your health?

My personal experience with eating durian is I get a bloated feeling if I eat more than 10 seeds. I suppose one has to know one's limits.