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Your body is quietly sending signals
Remember the "polyps" that the doctor circled on the report sheet during the last physical examination? As soon as many people see these two words, scary words such as "tumor" and "cancer" immediately come to mind. But there are also many people who feel that polyps are just a minor problem, not painful or itchy, and not worth making a fuss about at all.
So, what exactly is a polyp? Is it a tumor? Does lifestyle really determine its "fate"? Today, we're going to talk about this topic that is often overlooked, but it's closely related to health.
What exactly is a polyp? Is it a tumor?
The name polyp sounds a bit mysterious, but to put it bluntly, it means that the tissue in some parts of the body has "grown a lot". It is like the sudden emergence of new branches in a tree, some of which grow harmlessly, while others may pose a hidden danger.
Medically, there are two types of polyps: benign and malignant. Benign polyps are like "self-contained" neighbors who won't get you in trouble most of the time; Malignant polyps, on the other hand, are like a lurking "time bomb" that can cause serious problems at any time. To complicate matters further, some seemingly benign polyps may gradually "blacken" over time and become malignant tumors.
In the digestive tract, for example, colon polyps are the most common type. According to the American Cancer Society, about 20%-30% of colorectal cancers are "evolved" from polyps. It's like an apple, if you don't pick the rotten parts in time, the whole basket will be contaminated.
Therefore, polyps cannot be generalized, whether it is a tumor or not, the key lies in its type. And this is why doctors recommend regular follow-ups and biopsies.
How do polyps "grow"? Lifestyle habits are key
Many people can't help but ask: "I have a healthy life, why do I have polyps?" Don't worry, the formation of polyps is actually a "mischief of lifestyle". The following common factors may be the "driving force" behind the scenes.
1. Diet: Your gut is silently protesting
Think about your daily diet: spicy hot pot, barbecue, desserts...... Do you always linger in these three "food areas"? Too much of a high-fat, low-fiber diet is like planting a "seed" in the body. Studies have shown that high-fat foods increase the inflammatory response in the gut, while a long-term lack of dietary fiber can make it more difficult for probiotics, the "cleaners" of the gut, to work, leading to the formation of polyps.
Tip: Eat enough vegetables and fruits every day, such as broccoli, carrots and apples, which are rich in dietary fiber and can help clear the bowel and reduce the risk of polyps.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: The "Silent Resistance" of the Body
Modern life is inseparable from chairs: sitting at work, driving a car, and slumping on the sofa when you get home. It seems to be a comfortable position, but it slows down the peristalsis of the intestines, and waste remains in the body for too long, creating a breeding ground for the formation of polyps.
A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) noted that people who were sedentary for more than 8 hours had a more than 30% higher risk of developing colon polyps than active people.
Tips: Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, even if it's just a walk after a meal, is "deloading" your gut.
3. Staying up late: the body is "silently protesting"
Staying up late to catch up on dramas and swipe your mobile phone, is it your daily routine? Staying up late for a long time not only makes you "panda eyes" on your body, but also disrupts the body's hormone secretion. Studies have found that sleep deprivation leads to decreased immune system function and increased inflammatory factors, which may be catalysts for polyp "growth".
Tips: Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep a day, falling asleep on time can help your body recover and reduce the risk of polyps and other chronic diseases.
4. Excessive stress: Your body is "screaming for help"
The stress of life is taking your breath away? Stress can affect intestinal function through the neuroendocrine system, causing the digestive tract to "strike". When the intestine becomes sensitive and fragile, the risk of polyps also increases.
Tip: Learn to manage stress, such as relaxing yourself by taking deep breaths, meditating, or reading. A healthy mental state is the best protection for the body.
Can polyps be prevented? The answer is yes!
Many people are worried that since polyps are likely to "blacken", can we just passively wait? In fact, the key to preventing polyps lies in "early detection and early intervention". Here are a few tips that may help you reduce the incidence of polyps:
1. Have regular physical examinations, don't wait for your body to "call the police"
The early stages of polyps are usually asymptomatic and are often detected during a physical examination or colonoscopy. Especially for people over the age of 40, colonoscopy every 3-5 years can help to detect polyps in time and take steps to remove them.
2. Eat healthy and move
Eating less processed foods, red meat, and more foods rich in dietary fiber can reduce the risk of intestinal polyps. In addition, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, yoga or cycling, are good options.
3. Stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and "quit" health
Smoking and alcohol abuse are "accomplices" in the formation of polyps. Studies have found that smokers have a nearly 80% higher risk of colon polyps than non-smokers. Alcohol, on the other hand, irritates the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and exacerbates inflammation.
Conclusion: Polyps are not your "enemy", but don't take them lightly
Polyps are like a "mirror" in your body that reflects your lifestyle and health. It can be a harmless "neighbor" or a lurking "hidden danger". But as long as you are willing to adjust your lifestyle habits, actively prevent it, and check it regularly, you can "cut" it out of threat in time.
Health is never achieved overnight, but is a small choice every day. Eat an extra servings of vegetables today, go to bed early tomorrow, and you'll appreciate the efforts you put in now in the future. So, from now on, are you willing to make a little change for your health?
bibliography
美国癌症协会（American Cancer Society）官方网站
British Medical Journal (BMJ): A Study of Sedentary Practices and the Risk of Colorectal Polyps
World Health Organization (WHO): Guidance on diet and cancer prevention
Chinese Society of Gastroenterology: Guidelines for Screening, Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in China