The digestive system is made up of organs that are responsible for the processing of food from the moment you swallow until the moment waste is eliminated. Your colon, which is the longest part of your large intestine, is the place where waste is held until it is excreted through your rectum. A healthy colon is imperative in the maintenance of normal digestive processes.
Colon pain can be an alarming symptom, especially if the pain is consistent and accompanied by hard stools that are difficult to pass. Colon pain may be the result of constipation -- less than three bowel movements in a 7-day p...
However, certain conditions, such as bowel obstruction, require a restriction in fiber intake. Bowel obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of your intestines, a common complication of ovarian and colon cancer. If you ha...
The colon is relatively short -- 3 to 5 feet long, compared to the 15 to 20 feet of the small intestine. Many health problems can arise in this small area such as constipation, diarrhea, diverticular disease, Crohn's disease, u...
The colon is one of the last sections of the digestive tract and is formed during the first three months of embryonic development, the National Institute of Digestive and Diabetes and Kidney Disorders says. A "healthy" colon is...
Exercising and watching what you eat is essential to maintaining a healthy body. The colon removes water from the stool and makes waste in a compact form that your body expels. Fecal material contains bacteria -- and when it re...
Colon problems can lead to uncomfortable moments or unpleasant feelings. Diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer can all occur within an unhealthy colon. By making lifestyle changes, eating a healthy diet and ...
Functional foods are those that go beyond merely supplying your body with nutrients. They confer positive benefits that promote health and fight disease -- especially disorders of the colon and gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic...
It's about five feet long, and is tasked with absorbing water and salts from digested food and to pass waste out through the anus. The colon also maintains a layer of healthy bacteria that fight off certain infections. Practiti...
When the colon is diseased or generally unhealthy, conditions like diverticulosis or cancer can occur. A healthy lifestyle is a good start to maintaining overall health, but there are several tips that can help promote colon he...
According to the National Institutes of Health, foods with a high fat content hinder digestion, while those high in dietary fiber help. Many lowfat sources of fiber also contain important vitamins and minerals that help your co...
You need to eat enough healthy foods to provide vitamins and minerals for the intestines to absorb, as well as dietary fiber to aid in digestion and waste elimination. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans reports that most...
Your colon is very important to you, and keeping your colon healthy may even save your life. The American Cancer Society states that, excluding skin cancers, colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. Ot...
If you don't provide your colon with healthy foods, it can lead to a range of potentially serious diseases such as diverticulitis and colon cancer. Fortunately, many scientific studies have shown that a nutritious diet can help...
Taking steps to maintain a healthy colon should be part of a comprehensive healthcare plan. According to Dr. Ben Kim, chiropractor and acupuncture specialist, in addition to lowering your risk for colon cancer and chronic cond...
If you have frequent constipation or diarrhea, it may be a sign that your colon is not healthy. Creating and maintaining a healthy colon requires dietary considerations as well as other lifestyle changes. By paying attention to...
Rectal protrusion may occur during straining or at rest. Protrusion of the rectal lining during straining can sometimes occur otherwise healthy infants. It is usually transient and resolves by itself. Rectal prolapse in adults,...
Your colon, or large intestine, is an organ in the lower part of your digestive tract. Colon cancer can be a devastating and sometimes fatal disease. It's hard to know for sure whether your colon is healthy unless you have diag...
These bacteria are vital to colon health, and they thrive on fiber in foods. A diet for a healthy colon is a diet high in fiber.
Diseases and conditions that affect the colon, or large intestine, are common and can range in severity from uncomfortable to life-threatening. The relationship between nutrition and intestinal health is inherent as the primary...
Keeping your colon healthy is important for preventing constipation, which can lead to an infection called diverticulitis. This painful disorder sometimes requires surgery and can result in complications including cancer, accor...
Many health-conscious people are familiar with the term heart-healthy when it comes to diet. Eating healthy foods also applies to your colon. Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, so ea...
The colon is another term for the large intestine, a part of the body essential to the process of digestion. A healthy colon keeps the digestive system moving regularly like clockwork. A colon that is not healthy due to polyps ...