Well, it’s time again for my colonoscopy. I had my first one at 45 because I was dealing with colon issues and my doctor got to the bottom of things. It is amazing how it affects your health when your colon is not working properly! I now also understand why our older population likes to share their bowel movements with us! We all do it but we don’t like to talk about it. Animals don’t care; they go whenever they need to.

I am telling you — when it is not a regular once-a-day event, you are not feeling good!

So the importance of colon health:

In a nutshell: After the food passes into the small intestines, the body absorbs all the nutrients. When the nutrients are extracted, the “leftovers” will pass into the large intestines where the body will extract the water and will pass the remainder on as feces.

How can we maintain a good intestinal health?

• Maintain a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, fiber and foods low in fat

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water

• Exercise regularly

• Manage stress

• Get the proper amount of sleep

Part of colon health is scheduling a colonoscopy at age 50. What exactly is a colonoscopy? It is a procedure where doctors look at your lower bowel (large intestines). The gastroenterologist uses an endoscope, which is a long flexible tube about the thickness of your index finger. It has a small camera and a light at the end which gives the doctor a clear view of the colon’s lining and checks to see if there are any problems. Typically, if you have had one at 50 and it was clear with no issues, your next one is not due until you are 70. In most cases, if polyps are found, colonoscopies should be performed every five to 10 years. If anything is found to be pre-cancerous or cancerous, the procedure will be done more frequently.

In my case, I had problems, so I had it done at 45 and was supposed to have another one at 50 (last year). That year flew by so quickly that I scheduled my colonoscopy for this year less than a month ago. I love Dr. Jagar, and his staff is wonderful. Knowing what was in store for me, I wanted my appointment in the morning, the earlier the better. The hardest part for me the last time was the liquid diet for one day and nothing after midnight. I am so used to eating regularly that I became quite hungry not eating much except for liquids. And I truly don’t function prepping for a colonoscopy.

So when we scheduled my appointment, I went with the earliest one available on the day they gave me. They asked me to be there at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and I said I would, not realizing until later that I scheduled it for one day after my birthday. So you know what that means — I will be “cleansing” on my birthday.

I debated on changing the appointment, but colon health is too important. I had a dear friend pass away after a long battle with colon cancer and know plenty of others who have had colon cancer, so I decided to keep my earlier appointment the day after my 51st birthday.

If you are 50 or over and have not had a colonoscopy yet, schedule one now. It seems that it is an embarrassing or maybe painful event. Neither was the case with me. The staff is extremely friendly and now it can be done right in Rowan Diagnostic Clinic and I have mine with Dr. Jagarlamudi, or as we call him — Dr. Jagar. So don’t be scared. The scary thing about colon and rectal cancer is that the common symptoms are no symptoms at all, which is why colonoscopies are so important.

So, hydrate, eat well, exercise, sleep enough (eight hours per night) and manage your stress. And if you are 50 or older, schedule your colonoscopy!

Ester H Marsh Health & Fitness Director JF Hurley Family YMCA