Although the majority of us do not pay too much attention to it, the health of our colon is incredibly important.
The colon is responsible for storing and moving the fecal matter from your body and if that system isn't working properly, many different medical problems can result.
For the average individual, if they have a bowel movement once a day or several times a week, they do not give their colon a second thought.
However, issues like constipation and even loose stools can be a sign that something is amiss in the colon.
The colon actually runs between five and six feet long in a typical adult.
This leaves a great deal of room for things to go wrong.
If a person suffers from chronic constipation they can expect pockets of fecal matter to stay lodged within their colon.
This can, in fact, be the case for years.
In order for the colon to function properly it needs to be emptied on a regular basis.
The body's natural digestion system is responsible for that, and if a person is active and eating a balanced diet, they should have no trouble staying regular with their bowel movements.
In the event that is not the case, fecal matter can become stored in the colon.
If this occurs, a number of health problems can result including joint aches and pains as well as unpleasant body odor.
Many people who indeed have impacted fecal matter are never aware of it and instead suffer through the discomfort of abdominal aches for most of their lives.
The most pressing issue that concerns individuals in terms of their colon is colon cancer.
This is a very serious illness and in many cases, it is not diagnosed until the individual is in the latter stages of the disease.
The reason for this is that the symptoms of this particular type of cancer are often silent and it is not until a doctor's examination that the problem is realized.
Staying colon healthy can be done in very simple and straightforward ways.
The first thing to consider is that laxatives, although a convenient method of treating short term constipation, are often damaging.
A person can easily become dependent on the chemicals in the laxatives which lead to a whole host of other health related problems.
A healthy diet that is rich in fiber and organic foods is a much better approach to keeping the colon healthy.
Staying active with a moderate exercise regime is also highly recommended.
Many individuals do not experience problems with their colon until their mature years and by then they may be dealing with joint problems, so strenuous activity is no longer an option.
If this is the case something as simple as walking a few times a week can be beneficial.
Being aware of any changes in digestion or bowel movements is important.
If blood is noticed in the stool, or fissures develop as a result of difficult to pass stools, this may be an indication that something is amiss in the colon and requires medical attention.
Although it can be embarrassing to discuss this matter with a physician, it is very important.
Note: Statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be considered as professional medical advice.