The colon is the large intestines or large bowel. It is 15 or more feet long. Its main function is to digest the food you eat. The rectum is the tube that connects the colon to the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of gastrointestinal tract.  The urge to have a bowel movement occurs when stool enters the rectum. When you suppress the urge, the rectum temporarily stores the stool until you empty your bowels. How often you empty your stool varies from three times a day to three times a week depending on how much fiber you have in your diet.

The colon has other important functions including absorbing water and salts, and it contains millions of bacteria that break down proteins from the food you eat to produce amino acids, the building blocks of the body tissues. It also makes the vitamins B and K which are vital to life.

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About one in 20 Americans will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. It is in your best interest to schedule a consultation with Gastroenterology Associates of Brooklyn when you have symptoms, are aged 45 or older, and or to address your concerns and discuss your risks. You will always be treated with respect and compassion.