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Digestive System Disorders Affecting the Colon

The colon has become a member of the general consciousness due to the attention it has received with various celebrities earnestly selling colon cleanses and related materials. While the overall idea of colon cleansing is hotly debated in some medical circles - the false information offered on several affiliate marketing websites is not helping the cause of proponents of the practice - it has helped consumers to understand more about the workings of the colon, understand how digestive system disorders affecting the colon may wreak havoc with not only the gastrointestinal system but the body as a whole, and which steps may be taken to keep the colon healthy and functional.

In simplest terms, the colon is generally responsible for dealing with the water content of the feces and the goal is to keep the water in the body while excreting the dry feces via the anus. In addition to separating the needed water from the bodily water, it is also in the colon that vitamin K is absorbed, and thus ailments of the colon are found to severely impede not only the balance of electrolytes and water in the body, but may also lead to cases of malnutrition since vitamin K may not be offered to the body in the amounts needed for sustained health.

Digestive system disorders affecting the colon are plentiful and serious:

* Diarrhea of course refers to the expulsion of feces before the water and vitamins could have been properly extracted and thus the body is at risk for dehydration and malnutrition.

* Colorectal polyps have presented with bowel obstruction, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool and vomiting.

* Colon cancer is a most serious illness that may be in some cases avoided by decreasing the ingestion of red meat and increasing food choices containing raw vegetables and fruits.

* Enteritis is chronic and even though it may be found throughout the length of the digestive system, it is most commonly associated with the colon where it will present with sudden shifts in weight, blood in stool, diarrhea or constipation, as well as outwardly appearing skin rashes. Falling under the umbrella of one of the autoimmune diseases, there is little that can be done to prevent it, although the genetic component to the disease suggests that the avoidance of trigger factors may delay or even avoid the onset of symptoms.

When digestive system disorders affecting the colon are diagnosed, it is vital to discuss a change in food intake as well as proper supplementation with dietary supplements that will readily release the substances which are missing from the overall nutritional picture of the body. For example, if vitamin K absorption is severely curtailed and it appears as though this is part and parcel of a chronic condition, then general vitamin supplementation in addition to specific and separate vitamin K supplementation may quite possibly be indicated. In the same vein, the use of over the counter medicines - such as they are found for the relief of diarrhea or constipation - should be discussed with a physician prior to ingestion to avoid potential worsening of the disorders present.