After holidays, there are always many patients with acute gastrointestinal diseases seeking medical attention in hospitals, which is directly related to unhealthy dietary habits such as greasy, high protein, overeating, and excessive alcohol consumption during holidays. A research report shows that over 90% of people in China have intestinal problems, and the mortality rate related to intestinal diseases is increasing year by year. As the most important nutritional and digestive organ, detoxifying organ, and largest immune organ of the human body, the importance of the intestine is self-evident. The occurrence and development of many diseases are closely related to the intestines, and healthy intestines are the key to happiness. The intestines are like the "gas station" and "sewer" of the human body, mainly responsible for the "dirty and tiring" of the body. The food consumed here is broken down and absorbed, and the remaining residue is also excreted from the body. The gut is very important for physical health, but it is also very fragile. We are often driven by the desire to eat and drink, causing our intestines to bear a heavy burden. If left unchecked, it may trigger some intestinal diseases, such as colorectal inflammation, constipation, colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, etc. When the intestines are unhealthy, the incidence of related diseases is also higher. Developing good eating and bowel habits is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of various intestinal diseases. The life-long incidence rate of intestinal diseases is high. Intestine related to multiple factors generally refers to the digestive tract, which can be divided into esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine (colon and rectum), anal canal and other parts in a top-down order. The average length of the large intestine is about 1.5 meters; The small intestine is about 5 meters long and distributed in the center of the abdomen. Its end is connected to the colon and surrounded by it. The various parts of the intestine play different roles. The small intestine is the most important digestive and absorptive organ, and most nutrients in the human body are absorbed through the small intestine. The main function of the colon is to concentrate food residues and form excreta, as well as absorb water and vitamins. There are many bacteria in the large intestine that can synthesize B vitamins and vitamin K, which are absorbed and utilized by the human body. The main functions of the rectum and anus are storage and excretion. Due to the large amount of food being digested and absorbed through the intestines every day and excreted from the body, if one does not pay attention to their diet, it can damage intestinal health and cause various intestinal diseases. In China, the lifetime incidence rate of intestinal diseases is as high as 80% -95%. Common intestinal diseases include colorectal inflammation, colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer, constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, anal fistula and perianal abscess. The occurrence of intestinal diseases is related to various factors such as diet, lifestyle, and bowel habits. For example, long-term constipation can easily lead to hemorrhoids; When the stool is dry, forceful defecation can cause excessive dilation of the anus, leading to anal fissure; Forced defecation can also lead to the occurrence of thrombotic external hemorrhoids; Long term diarrhea can easily induce perianal infections and anal fistula. Healthy eating habits can help prevent intestinal diseases. The health of the intestines largely determines a person's physical fitness. The importance of the intestine can be seen from three sets of data: 99% of nutrients need to be absorbed by the intestine; 80% of toxins and metabolic waste are excreted through the intestines; The intestinal lymphoid tissue aggregates 70% to 80% of the immune cells in the human body. Once the intestinal defense line is disrupted, various problems will occur in the body. So, what dietary habits help protect intestinal health and prevent related diseases? Drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables: Drinking more water can prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids and constipation, avoid drinking raw water, and try to drink boiled water as much as possible. Vegetables and fruits contain a high amount of fiber, which can stimulate gastrointestinal peristalsis and promote bowel movements. It can not only reduce the incidence rate of hemorrhoids and constipation, but also prevent the occurrence of cancer. Do not drink alcohol and eat less spicy and stimulating foods: Chili peppers and alcohol can cause rectal mucosal congestion, vascular dilation, and the formation of hemorrhoids. They can also induce diseases such as nipple hypertrophy, perianal abscess, anal fistula, and hemorrhoids. Eating less takeout and greasy foods, such as fatty meat, cream, cheese, fried foods, etc., is not conducive to intestinal health. Eat less fried and grilled foods: Fried and grilled foods contain a large amount of carcinogens, which can easily trigger colorectal polyps and cancer. The hygiene condition of this type of food is also not optimistic, which can easily lead to colorectal inflammation and diarrhea. Eat less pickled food: pickled food often contains more nitrite, which is a highly carcinogenic substance. Regular diet and avoiding overeating: Overeating and drinking can be very harmful and can easily cause gastrointestinal dysfunction, as well as discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, belching, etc. It is recommended to have a regular diet, a light diet, and chew slowly. Meanwhile, avoid consuming contaminated, spoiled, and expired food. Early detection of colorectal cancer requires regular check ups for ten high-risk groups. If intestinal health is neglected or even left unchecked, it may trigger some malignant intestinal diseases, such as the alarming colorectal cancer. At present, colorectal cancer has become the second highest incidence of malignant tumors in China, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year. The following populations are prone to developing colorectal cancer and should be noted: those with poor dietary habits, such as high protein, high fat, and low fiber diets, consuming excessive amounts of pickled, baked, fried, and smoked foods. Elderly population: About 80% of colorectal cancer occurs in middle-aged and elderly people aged 50 and above. The older the age, the higher the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Family history of colorectal cancer: if one family member has colorectal cancer, the probability of the first degree relatives (parents, children, brothers and sisters) suffering from colorectal cancer is two to three times that of the general population. People with intestinal diseases, such as colorectal polyps, ulcerative colitis, and colon schistosomiasis, are closely related to the occurrence of colorectal cancer. Smoking population: Smoking increases the risk of colorectal cancer, and quitting smoking as soon as possible is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. If you want to detect colorectal cancer early, you need to do the following: pay attention to the early manifestations of colorectal cancer, including bloody stools, abdominal pain, bowel habits, and changes in characteristics; Regular physical examination screening, recommended starting from the age of 45, including fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy; Long term untreated hemorrhoids and enteritis should consider the possibility of colorectal cancer and seek medical attention promptly. In order to prevent and detect colorectal cancer early, it is recommended to undergo regular colonoscopy in the following 10 groups of people: those with bloody stools, black stools, and positive fecal occult blood tests; Those with mucus or pus in their stool; Frequent, irregular, diarrhea, and deformed stools; Recently experiencing difficulty in defecation and irregular bowel movements; Long term abdominal pain, bloating, chronic constipation, chronic colorectal inflammation, which cannot be cured for a long time; Individuals with unexplained weight loss, anemia, abdominal mass, or elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); Patients who have previously suffered from diseases such as schistosomiasis, ulcerative colitis, or colorectal polyps; Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should undergo colonoscopy screening, and regular follow-up colonoscopy is required after colorectal cancer surgery; Individuals with a family history of colorectal polyps need to undergo colonoscopy screening. Discovered colorectal polyps need to be removed under colonoscopy, and regular follow-up colonoscopy is required after surgery; People over 45 years old are recommended to undergo a routine physical examination and undergo a colonoscopy to detect early asymptomatic colorectal cancer as soon as possible. (Lai Xin She)