CHRONIC CONSTIPATION is one of the main causes of the digestive tract discomfort especially in the areas of the colon down up to the rectum. Constipation causes the large intestine (colon) walls to face excessive pressure. Pressure that is created during defaecation makes the colon walls have stronger contractions to help eliminate hard stools. The colon and rectum are collectively referred to as large intestine, and it is the last part of our digestive tract.Excessive pressure on the colon walls can cause little pouches called diverticuli to form. Sometimes, small bits of waste material can get lodged in diverticuli causing an emergency and irritable condition called Diverticulitis. This is one of the abdominal diseases that require urgent surgical intervention.In order to experience the best health condition; one of the essential requirements is to keep the colon and rectum region clean and healthy. Keeping the colon and rectum clean provides many health benefits.A healthy colon and rectum leads to lowered risk of developing cancer of the colon and rectum that is the second or third leading type of cancer in most of the industrialised countries. Other benefits of healthy digestive tract involve lowered risk of experiencing irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhoea.There is lowered risk of developing hemorrhoids. Since there is more efficient absorption of water and minerals, there is a feeling of lightness, comfort and well being in the abdominal region.You need to think of possible measures that can help keep our large intestine clean and feed on substantial meals. By doing so, you stimulate stretch receptors in the stomach that are responsible for triggering normal and mass peristaltic waves throughout the digestive tract that involves both small and large intestines. This ensures regular movement of waste material through the colon and rectum. Also, eating substantial meals allows significant chunks of waste materials to travel together through the colon, turn into well formed stools, and get eliminated from the body in an efficient manner. People should not regularly suppress the urge to have bowel movement; waste materials spend more time than is optimal in the colon, causing excessive dehydration of waste materials and formation of hard stools. The anus is an exit, and the anal sphincter is not designed to comfortably allow external objects to enter the rectal pouch. The anal sphincter is designed to stretch to allow passing of stools when the rectal pouch accumulates enough waste materials to illicit contraction of its walls. Repeated anal intercourse can lead to a loss in anal sphincter tone, which is likely to lead to incontinence issues immediately and even in the future.Repeated anal intercourse can also lead to repeated injury of the mucosal lining in the rectum, anal canal, and in some cases the distal region of the sigmoid colon. Repeated injury and healing of these areas may increase the risk of developing polyps, which can increase the risk of developing colon and rectum cancer.Water helps to move waste materials along, and is absorbed throughout the entire length of the colon. Insufficient water intake can cause stools to form far before waste materials reach the rectum, which can cause constipation. This does not necessarily mean that a person needs to drink several glasses of water per day. If you eat plenty of water rich plant foods, then you can rely on the sense of thirst to dictate how much water to drink.Eating fibre rich foods adds bulk to the boluses of waste material that travel through the large intestine. This is essential to the colon’s ability to turn waste materials into well formed stools. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains ensures high fibre intake.Adequate vitamin D status significantly lowers the risk of developing all types of cancer, including colon and rectum cancer. When one is not able to get regular exposure to sunlight, look to ensure adequate vitamin D status by eating healthy foods that contain vitamin D.Glands that line the mucosal lining of the colon are responsible for releasing mucous that is needed to lubricate the feces. Vitamin A is needed to maintain the health of these specialized cells that release mucous. It is best to ensure adequate vitamin A status by eating healthy foods that contain vitamin A.