Top Ways to Maintain a Healthy Colon

Keeping your colon healthy is one way to prevent diseases and live a good life. If you want to keep health problems at bay and need a little piece of advice, consider the following tips:

Drink lots of water. Drinking water is good for many things, but did you know it also works wonders for your digestive system? In fact, not drinking enough water can lead to constipation, bloating, possible IBS, and a buildup of toxins. Not to mention, when your body feels dehydrated it slows you down. So make sure you’re drinking an adequate amount of fluids each day to cleanse your body and keep toxins out of your colon.

Add fiber to your diet. Eat your way to a healthy lifestyle by slowly introducing fiber into your diet. You may not realize it, but you’re probably already eating fiber-rich foods already. Fruits such as bananas, raspberries, prunes, as well as certain vegetables and whole-wheat cereals are all beneficial for your colon. Just be sure not to eat too much fiber too quickly, as this can have a reverse effect on your body.

Listen to your body. Don’t make it a habit of holding it in. Regular bowel movements is the most natural way to cleanse your colon and keep it healthy. On the other side of that, holding in a bowel movement can put pressure on your insides and potentially lead to diverticulosis and IBS.

Make time for exercise. Increasing your blood circulation through means of exercise is one of the most ideal ways of making sure your colon gets the oxygen it needs to function properly. Even if you’ve checked the above three tips off your list, it’s also important to take preventative measures by exercising. You’d be surprised how much working out just 10 to 15 minutes a day can help you maintain a healthy colon.

Adopting a few lifestyle tips can help significantly lower your risk of developing colon cancer or other complications, so keep track of the foods you’re eating and listen to what your body is telling you.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat colon disorders with laparoscopic or open techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need colorectal surgery, our surgeons can help.

For more information call 631-321-6801 and schedule your consultation today.