What is instentine?

in-TES-tin) A long tube-like organ that connects the stomach and the large intestine. It is about 20 feet long and folds many times to fit inside the abdomen. The small intestine has three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach.

1. What is intestine in simple words?
2. What do intestines do?
3. Where is the bowel in the body?
4. What is your colon?
5. Can you live without intestines?
6. What diseases affect the intestines?
7. What causes pain in large intestine?
8. Where does feces go when constipated?
9. How do you unblock your intestines?

What is intestine in simple words?

: a long tube in the body that helps digest food after it leaves the stomach.

What do intestines do?

Its main purpose is to digest food. But the intestine is not only there for digestion: it also produces various substances that carry messages to other parts of the body, and plays an important role in fighting germs and regulating the body's water balance.

Where is the bowel in the body?

It is between the stomach and the large bowel (colon). The small bowel is between 4 and 6 metres long. It folds many times to fit inside the tummy (abdomen). It breaks down food, allowing vitamins, minerals and nutrients to be absorbed into the body.

What is your colon?

The longest part of the large intestine (a tube-like organ connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other). The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food.

Can you live without intestines?

Most people can live without a stomach or large intestine, but it is harder to live without a small intestine. When all or most of the small intestine has to be removed or stops working, nutrients must be put directly into the blood stream (intravenous or IV) in liquid form.

What diseases affect the intestines?

Constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), nausea, food poisoning, gas, bloating, GERD and diarrhea are common examples. Many factors may upset your GI tract and its motility (ability to keep moving), including: Eating a diet low in fiber. Not getting enough exercise.

What causes pain in large intestine?

The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as: ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. Crohn's disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen.

Where does feces go when constipated?

In most cases, as food moves through your colon, the colon absorbs water while it makes stool. Muscle movements (contractions) push the stool toward your rectum. When the stool gets to the rectum, most of the water has been soaked up. The stool is now solid.

How do you unblock your intestines?

Most partial blockages get better on their own. Your doctor may give you a special diet that's easier on your intestines. Enemas of air or fluid can help clear blockages by raising the pressure inside your bowels. A mesh tube called a stent is a safe option for people who are too sick for surgery.