Tips to maintain a healthy colon

A colon is one of the major parts of your body which is essential for waste removal in the body. It is a part of our body’s digestive system. However, the colon is also called the large intestine. And it plays a major role in how our body uses the food we have. Once the food is digested in the small intestine, the food moves into the colon. First, the colon takes out the water. And then the bacteria in the colon helps in breaking down the food so that it leaves the body. A healthy colon works as the “clean up” system in our body. Nonetheless, many different conditions or habits can make the colon work improperly. And then it can also have a huge impact on our overall health. Therefore, to live a healthy life, it is necessary to have a healthy colon.

What happens when your colon does not work properly?

Our colon needs maintenance and care to work properly. And once your colon stops working, it will send signals to your body. There are some tips one can follow to keep the colon history. However, there are some factors that we can not control and they make the colon unhealthy. For instance, family history can also be the reason for colon cancer. Apart from that, not eating healthy, not doing enough exercise are prime reasons for colon cancer. Signs that your colon is not working properly are-

• Abnormal pain on the left side.
• Sudden weight gain or weight loss.
• Hard stool.
• Lower back pain.
• Blood in stool.

Meanwhile, these can also be the symptoms of colon cancer. Many people with colon cancer, however, witness no symptoms in the early stage. Cancer can grow into the wall of the colon over time. And while the cancer cells are in the wall, they grow into blood vessels. And from the stage, they travel to distant parts of the body. Fortunately, most colorectal cancers are small polyps in the beginning. And it does not cause any kind of symptoms until it becomes cancerous. Therefore, there is the opportunity to detect and remove it before developing cancer.

5 Tips to maintain a healthy colon

Drink more water:

Waters can do wonders for your body. Water keeps removing the toxins from our bodies. Therefore, when you are not hydrated, your body will build up more toxins. And this can lead to an unhealthy colon and health as well. Our body, however, needs at least eight or more glasses of water. So, keep track of how much water you have been drinking throughout the way. It will help you keep up with a healthy colon as well as make a positive impact on your overall health.

Eat more high fiber foods, whole grains, and vegetables:

Adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to the diet plan has been proven to lower the risk of colon cancer. Similarly, high fiber will increase feelings of fullness. Same way it also promotes regular bowel movements. Foods such as bananas, peas, broccoli, beans, and whole-wheat pasta are filled with high fiber. And high fiber foods are a prime source of cleaning the body. Therefore they can do great work to keep your colon healthy as well.

Vitamin D:

According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a steady intake of Vitamin D can give an advantage to the colon. It helps the colon stay healthy and also prevents colon cancer. However, there are many sources for Vitamin D. For instance, daily exposure to the sun for 15 minutes can be a prime source for Vitamin D. Apart from it, you can add foods in your diet that contain Vitamin D.

Exercise:

We all are aware of the positive impact of exercise on our bodies. Similarly, it can also help keep your colon healthy. When we practice it regularly, it helps in increasing the blood flow and circulation. And in this way, our colon gets more oxygen. It can help prevent colon cancer and other diseases as well. However, people who are active physically have a lower risk of colon cancer. Therefore, one can try stretching, walking for 15 minutes, or practicing yoga to maintain a healthy colon.

Limit alcohol and quit smoking:

Consuming excessive alcohol and regular smoking can become a high-risk factor for colon factors. Alcohol increases the workload on the liver and causes more toxins to go through the colon. Similarly, smoking is harmful to not just lung cancer but colon cancer as well. Therefore, if you have any of these habits, the better idea would be to stop as soon as possible.

Why are colonoscopies important?

The National Institute of Health informs that colon cancer is the third most common cancer. Along with it, this also counts as the second deadliest cancer in the U.S. However, if one can detect this early, the survival rate of colon cancer is 95%. However, a colonoscopy test is the best screening test to detect colon cancer. And the most important fact is that in many cases, colon cancer can be cured by regular screening. And they are highly treatable if they are detected early. Your healthcare provider may be able to offer you an alternative solution or other tricks to ease the procedure. And in many cases, cancer shows zero symptoms at the early stage. Therefore, colonoscopies are necessary for the early detection of colon cancer.