A healthy colon

The human colon usually gets a small amount of attention. However, this organ is very important to the health and proper cleansing of waste materials in the body. Read this article for an overview of the anatomy, processes and health of the colon.

The colon can absorb large amounts of water, at least eight times the amount that the body absorbs in one day. It is a very powerful storage and waste disposal site in the body. Through a series of contractions (involuntary,) the colon pushes material through itself and into the proper waste disposal areas. It also stores waste until it is time to excrete it and absorbs any remaining nutrients from digested and processed foods. Water, electrolytes, and bile salts that remain in "chyme," or processed waste, are taken and placed back into the body's system by the colon. The colon contains two areas of interest-the distal colon and the ascending colon. The distal colon excretes waste, and the ascending colon re-absorbs needed materials, like bile salts and electrolytes, into the body. Both areas are essential to waste storage and removal.

There are some problems that are directly related to the colon. Colon cancer is one, and tests for this disease have increased in the last decade. Constipation is also caused by the colon, and lack of fiber-based foods in the diet. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that are also caused by a lack of fiber in the diet. These are irritated by difficulty in releasing waste materials. Colitis is a gastrointestinal disease that limits a person's lifelong diet. This illness is caused by an inflammation in the inner lining of the colon. Ptosis of the colon is a rather serious condition that is caused by a shift in the position of the colon. When weight pushes on this area, the colon sags, causing pain.

Smaller problems are also caused by colon-related functions. Bad breath, acne and spider veins are caused by a malfunction in the colon. Because the colon rids the body of waste, it also cleanses the body. Poor health the is the result of poor detoxification.

Certain processes now exist to "cleanse" toxins from the colon. These processes may use chemicals, tubes and water to push fluid through the colon and remove leftover waste. The most popular procedure today is called the colonic, and is offered in many health spas and by some doctors. Colonics are based upon the idea of residue in the colon area. The reasoning behind this treatment is that when the colon is irritated by special diets, stress, or chemicals in the diet, it produces extra mucus to protect itself from infection. This mucus binds with certain foods and then presses against the walls of the colon, creating an ideal breeding ground for harmful waste bacteria. Stools passing through the colon do not remove this extra residue because of the mucus binding process-waste sticks to colon walls.

The effect of this is that excess waste materials are pumped through the body at an alarming rate. This can cause fatigue, irritation of the colon and digestive tract, and breakouts on the skin and body. A possible condition known as diverticula can result from this residue, leading to extra pouches being formed in the colon to handle excess waste. This procedure is a medical condition and does require special medical care.

While spas and health care offer these specialized procedures, it is best to consult with your doctor before using any of these therapies. Often they are not needed, and the "toxins" that are supposedly building up in the colon and intestine are often natural residue from the body's natural processes. It is debatable whether or not the residue left in the colon really does affect the body in a negative way, although patients from colonics often report fresher skin, whiter eyes and a lighter sense of balance when the procedure is complete. The procedure can have some harmful side effects, however, and patients should be aware of these before undergoing treatment. These include headaches, blinding headaches, panic attacks, exhaustion, fever, and depression.

There are easier, healthier ways to clean the colon than this process. Changing your diet is one. A diet of fiber and raw foods helps clean the walls of the colon, and dieuretics like Metamucil are helpful in producing excess waste and stools. Linseed is also a cleansing element, and drinking lots of water helps to cleanse the entire body and release harmful toxins.

Therefore, the colon is a powerful waste storage and removal area. Care of the colon results in clear skin, healthy eyes and a good sense of balance. Colonics, newer procedures that cleanse the colon, offer advanced ways to cleanse the colon, but one should always consult a doctor before trying this procedure. A healthy lifestyle, above all, is the best way to keep your colon healthy.