Although the large intestine and colon are often used interchangeably, they’re technically not the same. Your large intestine is the part of the digestive tract between your small intestine and anus. Therefore, it not only includes the colon, but the cecum, rectum and anal canal as well. And your large intestine is home to your appendix, which is believed to play no health promoting function.
The large intestine function is to progressively remove water and electrolytes from the indigestible remnants passed on by the small intestine to prepare this waste for rectum storage, then ultimately anus excretion. Diarrhea is the result of not enough water being absorbed during this phase of digestion, commonly caused by bacteria, viral or parasitic infections. And constipation can result from excessive withdrawal.
Another function of the large intestine is vitamin K production and absorption. This function is accomplished via health promoting bacteria in the colon that synthesize this vitamin during the further breakdown of material that is passing through your large intestine. In contrast, the absorption for most other nutrients is a small intestinal function before intestinal sludge being dumped into your large intestines.
Large intestine diseases and problems consist of:
- IBS
- appendicitis
- colon cancer
- colon polyps
- toxic megacolon
- carcinoid tumors
- bowel obstruction
- intestinal perforation
- Hirschsprung disease
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- IBD ~ ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis
- rectal problems ~ itch, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, proctitis, prolapse
Symptoms of large intestine diseases and problems will vary based on which one you are struck with. However, some of the more common ones entail:
- bloody stools
- abdominal pain
- stomach cramps
- abdominal distention
- change in bowel ~ diarrhea, constipation
A colonoscopy is an evaluative tool for large intestinal problems through its detection of inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.