May 29th is World Intestinal Health Day. The intestine is not only a digestive organ, but also the largest immune detoxification organ in the human body, known as the "first line of defense for physical health". The intestines we usually refer to include the small intestine, colon, rectum, and other parts, which are the longest and most important functional segment of the human digestive tract. "Yang Tao, director of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Tianjin First Central Hospital, introduced in an interview with People's Daily News that most food digestion and nutrient absorption occur in the small intestine, while the large intestine is mainly responsible for absorbing some water, concentrating food residues, and forming feces, Then it is expelled from the body through the rectum and anus. At the same time, the intestinal mucosa forms a protective mucosal barrier to prevent harmful substances or harmful microorganisms from invading the human body. Yang Tao stated that intestinal diseases can be divided into two categories: functional diseases and organic diseases. Intestinal functional diseases mainly include irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, etc; Organic diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal tumors, etc. Inflammatory bowel disease mainly includes Krohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, etc. The most common types of intestinal tumors are colorectal cancer, small intestinal and colorectal stromal tumors, lymphoma, etc. A bad lifestyle can lead to various intestinal diseases, "Yang Tao said. Long term irregular diet, high fat and low fiber diet, excessive consumption of pickled and fried foods, insufficient drinking water, irregular routines, smoking, alcoholism, lack of physical exercise, etc., pose great risks to intestinal health. Colorectal cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can be divided into colon cancer and rectal cancer according to the location of the tumor. It is a common malignant tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. In recent years, its incidence rate has been rising, and shows a younger trend. Yang Tao said that high-risk groups of colorectal cancer include: those with a family history of colorectal cancer; People engaged in the production and processing of special materials such as heavy metals, leather, asbestos, etc; People with intestinal diseases such as colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and schistosomiasis. How to maintain intestinal health? Yang Tao suggests paying attention to dietary structure and methods, diversifying foods, combining them reasonably, supplementing with sufficient dietary fiber, and avoiding overeating; Maintain good bowel habits, avoid constipation, and do not abuse laxatives; Maintain a happy mood and avoid negative emotions such as excessive tension, anxiety, and depression; Appropriate supplementation of probiotics to maintain intestinal microbiota; Moderate physical exercise to enhance the body's immunity; Maintain regular routines and sufficient sleep to avoid day and night reversal; Drink plenty of water, but be careful not to replace it with beverages for a long time; Avoid abusing drugs, such as antibiotics, which can easily lead to imbalance in the gut microbiota. In addition, regular physical examinations are very important for intestinal health. Through routine and occult blood tests, some intestinal diseases can be detected and treated early. For populations with high-risk factors, professional doctors can be consulted for examination as needed, "Yang Tao said. (Outlook New Era Network)