Your colon is made up of 6 parts working together to rid your body of toxins from food. It also transfers nutrients into the blood. The colon is the main part of the large intestine, which passes from the cecum to the rectum.
It’s extremely important to keep your colon healthy because it expels the byproducts of the food we digest. Everyday our bodies are bombarded with toxins from our surroundings, from the food we eat to the air we breathe in. It’s just a matter of time before your colon becomes too toxic and can no longer perform its ability to function properly.
When your colon is working properly, it moves food through your digestive system at ease and rids substances in the form of waste within 16-24 hours of eating. A healthy individual, with a clean and healthy colon, should have 2 bowel movements per day.
Symptoms of an Unhealthy Colon
When your colon is unable to properly dispose of the waste accumulated in your digestive tract, you may experience any of the following:
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Different Types of Colon Diseases
Colon Polyps – This is the most common of all colon diseases, many people may have colon polyps and may not even realize it. In most cases, colon polyps do not cause any serious health concern, however, it may be an indicator of colon cancer. If detected, colon polyps should be removed even if it’s believed to not be cancerous.
Crohn’s Disease – Another common colon disease which affects roughly two million people in the United States alone. A person suffering from Crohn’s Disease has a narrow lumen, which in turn causes the digestive tract to become easily inflamed. Crohn’s Disease generally affects only the last portion of the small intestine but can affect any portion of the digestive tract.
Diverticulosis – This condition weakens the muscles of the colon, which in turns prevents the mucus lining from receiving blood through the arterioles. Most people with diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms. However, some people may experience painful cramping or discomfort in the lower abdomen, bloating, and constipation.
Diverticulitis – Diverticula are most common in the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. When the pouches become inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. The most common symptom is tenderness in the lower left side of the abdomen. Usually, the pain is severe and comes on suddenly, but it can also be mild and become worse over several days. A person may experience chills, fever, vomiting, cramping, nausea or a change in bowel habits.
Ulcerative Colitis – A type of inflammatory colon disease that affects the large intestine and rectum that is characterized by tiny ulcers on the lining of the colon and rectum that pus and bleed. Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis include diarrhea, bloating, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. The disease forms in the rectal area and may eventually extend through the entire large intestine. Repeated swelling leads to thickening of the wall of the intestine and rectum with scar tissue.
Colon Stricture – A colon stricture is a narrowing of the passageway of the colon which causes waste improperly move through the digestive tract and becomes obstructed in front of the stricture. The area of the colon following the stricture may ultimately collapse while the area preceding it begins to enlarge from the accumulated waste.
Colon Spasms – Colon spasms are one of the most common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, otherwise known as IBS. A person may experience uncontrollable muscular contractions which can be very irritating and embarrassing. Random, uncontrollable muscle spasms can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your body.
How To Improve Your Colon Health
There are many ways to improve the health of your colon. These include colon cleansing, herbal supplements, juice fasting, oxygen cleansing, colon hydrotherapy just to name a few. It’s important to note that these methods should be accompanied by a healthy colon-friendly diet. A colon-friendly diet consists of adding fiber to your diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, consuming whole grains and proteins, and drinking lots of water.
Other methods to improve your colon health:
- exercising
- taking digestive enzymes
- reflexology
- avoid white processed foods
- juice and fruit fasting
- colon cleansing