The colon or the large intestine is an essential part of our body. The colon has the role of eliminating water and electrolytes from food and transforming it into stool. The colon conditions are commonly diverticulitis, colon polyps or ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease, colitis, and colon cancer are also some of them. At risk for colon diseases are those who are obese and physically inactive. People who smoke and drink alcohol are also at risk. Heredity plays a big factor too.

A patient having a colon ailment develops symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Bloating of the abdomen
• Cramping

Treatment involves colon surgery and medications. Colon surgery can be performed in two ways. Open colectomy and laparoscopic colectomy. Colectomy is also called colon resection. It refers to the removal of the colon. Colectomy can be partial or complete depending upon the disease condition. Removal of one side of the colon is called hemicolectomy.

Colectomy is a major surgery and may take around 4 to 5 hours. It is performed by a surgeon under general anaesthesia and the person requires hospitalization for about one week. The recovery period is usually 6 weeks.

Steps to recover soon post colon surgery:

• Get plenty of rest and sleep.
• Avoid any strenuous activity immediately.
• Have adequate fluids.
• Incorporate healthy food rich in fibre into your regular diet.
• Finally, under no circumstance skip the medicines prescribed by your physician.