Just What Does The Colon Do?
What is the colon?
The Colon is a muscular tube approximately 5 to 7.5 feet in length and has an average diameter of 3.5 inches. The small intestine empties its waste products from the foods eaten into the caecum, the first section of the colon, via the ileo-caecal valve.
What is the function of the colon?
The colon is the last link in the digestive chain. The colon's important jobs include absorbing any remaining water and electrolytes from the semi-fluid material that passes from the small intestines into the large intestine. The colon also continues to move the feces along its way and to store it until it is time for it to be evacuated. The colon moves this waste material through by contractions of the muscles in the colon wall.
What can go wrong with the colon?
Constipation is probably the most common problem today. It is caused by insuffient dietary fiber intake. Lack of exercise and not drinking enough water also contribute to constipation. Dont rely on laxatives to take care of it as they work by irritating the colon and can be habit forming.
Irritable bowel or colitis is when the inner lining of the colon is inflamed. Another very commonly seen disease because it is related to stress, another unfortunate byproduct of our hectic lifestyles.
Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the anus and rectum. They are cause by insufficient dietary fiber and straining at the stool.