12/24/2025
Understanding Colon Health: Colon health is a vital part of your overall well-being; it profoundly impacts nearly every system in the body.
Unfortunately, about 60-70 million Americans have gastrointestinal problems, including colon-related discomfort, per the National Institutes of Health, with a sizable portion experiencing symptoms of poor gut health, including younger adults.
Left untreated, colon issues like inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis can result in severe inflammation, leading to strictures, fistulas, abscesses and life-threatening issues. Over time, they significantly impair nutrient absorption, causing malnutrition, anemia and osteoporosis, while drastically increasing the risk of developing colon cancer, making early detection and management critical for preventing grave, systemic health problems.
So, to help Rio Grande Valley residents better understand the importance of maintaining a healthy colon, South Texas Health System will devote the latest episode of its monthly “South Texas Healthy Living” TV program to colon health.
The program will feature a sit-down interview with Dr. Krystha Cantu, a board-certified general surgeon with STHS Clinics, on the important functions of the colon, signs and symptoms it may not be working properly and how colon issues are diagnosed and treated.
Additionally, the episode will feature an interview with a Weslaco woman who, after a lifetime of dealing with colon issues like constipation, had to undergo colon resection surgery after a severe, years-long bout with diverticulitis.
Don't miss our latest episode of South Texas Healthy Living this Sunday, December 28, on KVEO-TV NBC 23 at 9:00 am.
