Large intestine function in digestive system

Large intestine function in digestive system, Our digestive system plays an important role in human life. It is the only system that breakdown the food we intake and absorb their nutrients to fulfill the daily requirements of all the parts of our body. 

When our eyes see any food our salivary glands get active  In our mouth. As we eat food our teeth began to grind the same, salivary glands spread saliva, the tongue helps mix saliva in-ground food. When the food reaches the stomach, the different gland becomes active and spread gastric juice and acid, and makes various chemical changes therein. 

Thereafter food moves to our duodenum first part of our small intestine. Our pancreas, liver, and gall bladder also play a vital role in the digestive system. They become active and spread bile and pancreatic juice in the food and push the same to another part of the small intestine, jejunum, and ileum. Both the part of the small intestine absorb the nutrients of the food and push the same to the large intestine.  As soon as the food is received in the large intestine, it starts its final function of digestion.

So now  I am discussing here the final role of the large intestine in the digestive process.

Large intestine and defecation

The large intestine function in digestive system, The large intestine or colon is about five feet long and 5 cm wide. It starts from the ileum to the anus. It contains the same four coats as the small intestine contains. Recent research has revealed that the large intestine and the bacteria present therein play an important role in determining health and well-being. It has three parts,

• Ascending colon

• Transverse colon

• Descending colon  which  ends at rectum

Also read – Pharynx function in digestive system

What does the large intestine do?

The  major function of the large intestine is

• Absorption of water, salt, mineral, and glucose

• Secretion of mucin by the glands in the inner coat

• The preparation of cellulose and any undigested protein by bacterial action and defaecation

• Formation and temporary storage of faeces

• Maintain a resident population of over 500 species of bacteria.

• And fermentation of some of the indigestible food matter by bacteria.

The ileocaecal valve controls the entry of material from the ileum.

The small intestine absorbs 80 % of the water content. Our large intestine absorbs most part of the remaining 20% water. 

When the remnant food material moves into the large intestine, it is mixed with bacteria and mucus, and formed into feces for temporary storage and eliminated thereafter.

It is estimated that about 500 species of different bacteria are found inhabiting the colon of adult people. These bacteria can only survive in an oxygen-free atmosphere and are called anaerobes. Some of the undigested food components are fermented hereby these bacteria and converted same into short-chain fatty acids and release gases like carbon dioxide hydrogen and methane. Short-chain fatty acids such as acetic,  propanoic, and butyric acids and that it gives energy to bacteria and cells lining the large intestine.

Also, read – Function of stomach in digestive system

Gut bacteria and health

Large intestine function in digestive system, The bacteria residing in the large intestine form complex inter-relationships with themselves and their human host. All the 500 species of bacteria that live in the large intestine maintain a delicate balance. In the case of disruption, the immune system and enteric nervous system are both activated and bring to the conscious level unease feeling.

Recent research has revealed that gut bacteria perform a useful function in addition to fermenting undigested macronutrient matter. These include interacting with the immune system, producing vitamin K, and releasing hormones involved in the storage of fats, and influencing mood and feeling of well-being.

In addition to the importance of the ‘bacterial organ’, researchers believe that the network of interconnected nerve cells lining the large intestine plays an important role in the intake of food and its digestion. The enteric nervous system is called as ‘second brain’.  The enteric nervous system is capable of directing messages to the brain and controlling the release of hormones that influence the movement of food down the gut feeling well-being, the sensation of hunger, or being full.

The new field indulged in the research is called ‘neurogastroentrology’, which helps us to explain how the 2nd brain controls the body’s immune system. This will tell us how inflammatory bowel disease develops and how to prevent that. 

Also read – Mouth function in digestive system

Also read – Gastric and duodenal ulcer

Defaecation

Large intestine function in digestive system, Rectum normally remains empty until just before defaecation. Normally a person feels defaecation daily at the same time.  It is a normal process, as soon as people eat food, the process of digestion starts at every point as mentioned above. It takes 20 to 24 hours to complete digestion. The undigested food with fiber reaches the rectum for defection, anal sphincters relax and the act is complete.

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Large intestine problems

The major function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food substance and transmit the useless waste material from the body.

There  are so many diseases of large intestines, such as

• Chronic diarrhea

• Appendicitis

• Colon cancer

• Colonic  dismotility

• Diverticulitis

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Intestinal obstruction

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Ulcerative colitis

• Rectal prolapsed

Sign and symptoms of large bowel disorders’

Signs and symptoms of large intestine disorders are according to the area affected thereof.  However, some of the  common symptoms  of large bowel disorders are included

• Abdomen pain

• Swelling in abdomen, bloating

• Blood in stool

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Chills

• Gas

• Inability to defecate

• Nausea with or without vomiting

In addition to the above certain other symptoms that affect  the general health and wellness of patients are such

• Depression

• Loss of appetite

• Anxiety

• Skin and hair condition

• Malnutrition

• Weakness

• Weight loss

• Diagnosis of large bowel disease

In order to  diagnose  the  type and condition of large bowel first of all medical specialists conduct a complete medical history and physical examination  can advise below-mentioned tests,

• Barium meal x-ray: Barium meal x-ray:- the barium solution coat the inner lining of the upper  GI series such as the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and x-ray of respective parts are taken.

• Barium enema x-ray: Barium enema x-ray is taken of the lower part of the alimentary tract system by inserting  Barium solution into the colon. This technique is used to detect the disorder of the large intestine, sigmoid colon.

• Colonoscopy: A thin flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted through the anus to look inner lining of the large intestine to detect ulcers, colon polyps, tumors, cancer, inflammation, bleeding. During the procedure tissue sample of the affected area are taken for analytical tests.

• Blood tests in faeces.

• Sigmoidoscopy: This procedure is used to check inside the rectum and the area of the large intestine near to rectum.

• Imaging tests such as x-ray, CT scans, MRI, and PET scans are useful to detect the disease.

• Radio nucleotide imaging used to detect diverticulitis and gastrointestinal bleeding.

This procedure is done after injecting radioactive substances into vain. In the case of intestinal bleeding, this substance will leak into the intestine together with the blood.

Ultrasound is used to detect the tumor of the large intestine.

Treatment of large bowel disorders

Medication

The health care provider will prescribe medicine as per the symptoms and condition of the patient.

In the circumstances when your health care provider feels that surgery is necessary for the recovery of health. He may refer the case to the surgeon. The surgeon can perform  many  large Intestine  procedures such as,

• Colon and rectal surgery

• Polyp removal

• Rectal prolapsed

• Sacral  nerve implant for accidental stool leakage

In addition to medication and surgery below mentioned simple steps are also suggested.

• Do not intake such food items that triggers the symptoms

• Avoid smoking

• Intake green leafy vegetables and fruits

• Increase the amount of dietary fiber

• Avoid the intake of sugar, maida, rice and  junk and fried food

• Maintain healthy weight

• Avoid the intake of over the counter medicine

• Do regular exercise

• Go to morning walk daily

• Perform yoga activity daily

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