49 Colon Facts For Kids: Know Your Digestive System Better

Despite the fact that our colons play such an important role in our daily lives, they are sometimes overlooked.

The colon, commonly known as the large intestine, is a digestive organ. Our bodies' ability to utilize the food we eat is dependent on the colon.

The human body has two types of intestines, the large and the small intestine. The large intestine is made up of the colon and rectum. The colon, which is roughly 5 ft (1.5 m) long, aids in the digestion of food and the removal of nutrients and water before transporting waste to the rectum.

The ascending colon is the part of the small intestine that runs down the right side of the belly. It passes from right to left (transverse colon), then descends the left side (descending colon), before curving into an S-shaped shape (sigmoid colon) to meet with the rectum.

The proximal colon is the first two portions of the colon, whereas the distal colon is the latter half.

Water, salt, and some nutrients are removed from the colon, resulting in the stool. Muscles line the walls of the colon, squeezing the contents along. Countless microorganisms coat the colon and its contents, coexisting in a healthy way with the rest of the body.

Location Of The Colon In The Body

The large intestine is an integral part of the body, serves multiple important functions and helps maintain our overall health.

• From the stomach to the anus, the intestines form a long, continuous tube. The intestines are divided into three sections: the small intestine, the large intestine, and the rectum.
• The large intestine (colon or large gut) is approximately 5 ft (1.5 m) long and 3 in (7.6 cm) wide.
• Water is absorbed by the colon from waste, resulting in stool. Nerves in the rectum cause the urge to defecate as stool enters the area.
• It circulates the abdomen up, across, and down the right side. The colon's lowest section, known as the rectum, is reached after that.
• Colon discomfort can occur in a variety of locations due to the colon's twisting course through the belly.
• Some people may experience overall abdomen discomfort, while others may experience pain in a specific location.
• Pain in the rectum, just above the anus, is also a possibility. The pain may be severe and stabbing, or it may be mild and achy.

Colon's Function In The Digestive System

The colon is critical to how our bodies utilize the food we ingest and therefore you should work towards maintaining good colon health.

• Food starts in the mouth, where the teeth chew it into smaller pieces. After being swallowed, food passes into the esophagus, which connects to the stomach.
• In the stomach, food is further broken down into liquid before being delivered to the small bowel (intestine).
• With the help of the liver, gallbladder, and food breakdown continues in the small bowel. This is where all of the essential vitamins and nutrients from meals are absorbed.
• The remaining is absorbed by the colon, which is mostly liquid. In the colon, the water is absorbed. The leftover material is broken down by bacteria in the colon. The leftover debris is then transported to the rectum by the colon.
• The rectum acts as a waste storage facility. The waste, known as stool, is moved out of the body through the anus by muscles in the rectum.
• This is how essentially the bowel movements work. Healthy eating is beneficial to your general health, but a low-calorie, high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for colon health.
• Colon health can also be improved by exercise and healthy habits such as not consuming too much alcohol or smoking.
• Bloating, gas, discomfort, constipation, and diarrhea are all symptoms of a colon that isn't performing properly.

Colon Diseases

You might experience a lot of problems and risk factors related to the colon. Listed down below are some of them.

• The colon's lining protrudes via small weak spots in the muscular wall, generating tiny pouches known as diverticula. Diverticula are normally painless, although they can bleed, become inflamed, or get infected.
• Men and women both have a 4-5% lifetime risk of colon cancer.
• The risk of colon cancer rises as people get older.
• The majority of colon cancers are caused by polyps, which are tiny growths in the lining of the colon and rectum.
• If a person has colon cancer, they may have minor signs and symptoms such as weakness, pain in the abdomen, rectal bleeding fatigue, and weight loss.
• Colon bleeding can be caused by a variety of issues. Although rapid bleeding is visible in the stool, very slow bleeding may not.
• Ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease, is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the colon and rectum.
• Bloody diarrhea, like Crohn's disease, is a typical sign of inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis.
• Diarrhea is characterized by symptoms like frequent, loose, or watery stools.
• The majority of diarrhea is caused by self-limiting, minor colon or small intestine infections.
• Salmonella is a pathogen that can contaminate food and infect the intestine. Salmonella produces symptoms like stomach cramps and diarrhea, which normally go away without treatment.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent colon disease that affects about 15% of the population.
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders refer to a group of diseases that affect colon health.
• Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects more than just the colon. It's when the muscles in the small and large intestines contract or stop moving on their own.

Can your colon be completely empty?

To understand the type of treatment let's first know the process and pathway of bowel movement.

• First, liquid and salt are removed from the waste as it passes through the colon. The waste is then transported to the sigmoid colon, where it is stored.
• When the body is ready for a bowel movement, the waste is released into the rectum once or twice a day.
• It might happen sometimes that the impression of incomplete evacuation may be accurate if you have constipation.
• It's likely that you haven't totally emptied the rectum as a result of the difficulties passing stool, leaving you with feelings of discomfort.
• Many people assume that after numerous bouts of diarrhea, their colons have emptied out or that they can keep their colons empty by avoiding eating.
• However, because bacteria make up a major portion of stool, fecal matter is constantly generated. In addition to bacteria, stools contain water, undigested food, dietary fiber, fat, minerals, and protein.

Did You Know...

Although colon cancer may be in the genes of people with a family history of colon cancer, during early stages the treatment for colorectal cancer can be targeted, focused on a tumor, or systemic, utilizing medications to combat cancer cells throughout the body.

• The removal of a person's colon may be essential for a variety of health reasons, including colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
• In some of these circumstances, a colostomy is performed, which involves making a hole in the abdomen so that feces can be collected outside of the body in a colostomy bag.
• As a result of recent research showing an increase in colon cancer in those under the age of 50, several organizations are advising that screenings begin as early as age 45.
• Colon cancer screening should begin before the age of 50 for those with a family history of colon cancer, inherited colorectal cancer syndrome, or have a known predisposing gastrointestinal condition. Insurance frequently covers a screening colonoscopy.
• Screening for colon cancer can save a person's life if caught early.
• After early-stage colon cancer is detected and treated, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%.
• Unfortunately, after therapy for late-stage colon cancer, the five-year survival rate is as low as 12%.
• When colon cancer is diagnosed early, it is far more effective and potentially curative.
• Bowel prep can be slowed or hampered if you don't follow the guidelines or drink clear drinks as directed.
• Patients with diabetes, neurologic problems, those who consume certain drugs, or have chronic constipation may take up to twice as long to complete the procedure.
• This is just one of the numerous reasons CRS physicians may visit with patients ahead of time to examine their medical history and discover issues that may influence the type of preparation administered.
• A low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain fiber is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer.
• Colorectal cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding tobacco and high alcohol consumption.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight and engaging in regular physical activity are also advantageous.
• Some people claim to have lost more than 10 lb (4.5 kg) over the span of a month due to colon cleansing.
• A man of average weight produces around 1 lb (0.4 kg) of waste and a woman of average weight produces around 14 oz (0.3 kg) of waste per day.