The colon and rectum have a smooth lining composed of millions of cells. Changes in these cells can lead to growths in the colon called polyps. These can become cancerous and should be removed. Read on to learn more.

Irrigating a colostomy allows you increased control over the timing of your bowel movements. Once a day, or once every other day, you irrigate by flushing the colostomy with warm water. Read on for clear step-by-step instructions.

Risk factors are habits and conditions that make heart disease more likely. The more risk factors you have, the higher your chances of a heart attack. Most risk factors can be managed to help make your heart healthier.

Making even one lifestyle change for your heart reduces your risk for heart disease. Change is hard for everyone, so take it one step at a time. Here are some tips to help you get started on making changes that are good for your heart.

Women may be surprised to learn heart disease is the biggest threat to their health--even more so than breast cancer. And the same factors that put women at risk of a heart attack also increase their chances of stroke and other health problems. If your heart's in trouble, your body may send you warning signs. It's up to you to notice these and talk to your healthcare provider about them.

Vaginitis is a name for a group of vaginal infections. These include trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and yeast infections. The only true STD (sexually transmitted disease) is trichomoniasis. But having any type of vaginitis may increase your risk of catching other STDs.

Syphilis spreads through any kind of sexual contact. That is vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. This sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection (STI) has 3 stages. It gets worse with each stage. Syphilis can be cured. But early treatment is important. Left alone, it can cause lasting damage, like blindness. Syphilis can even cause death.

In women, warning signs of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) can be hard to notice. That's because the sex organs outside the body (the genitals) aren't easy to see. STDs also often affect the organs inside the body that let you get pregnant. Damage to these organs can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. So learn about your body. Find out what's normal for you. And be sure to have any changes or symptoms checked out.

Male sex organs are mostly outside the body (the genitals). This makes signs of certain STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) easier to spot. But STDs can also spread inside the body and damage the organs that allow you to father a child. This damage can sometimes cause sterility - meaning you won't be able to have kids. Also, men may have fewer symptoms of STDs than women. So pay attention to your body. Learn what's normal for you, and have any symptoms checked out.

The only sure way to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections) is not having any kind of sex. But if you do decide to have sex, take steps to protect yourself. Here's what you need to know.