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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/13/2010 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have an iphone app that is called Cool Facts. It has a lot of useless facts and information that I probably will never need to know. I came across an interesting one on Saturday and thought I'd share it with you.

Food passes through the small intestine in just 2 hours, sipping along at 0.002 mph. Inside the large intestine, it takes about 14 hours, traveling at a more leisurely rate of 0.00007 mph.

Obviously, there were no Crohnies involved in the research to determine the speed of the process. Don't we wish?
Posted 9/13/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Very cool. I've never seen the miles per hour statistic. But the speed difference between the small and large intestine is why there are relatively few bacteria that live in the small intestine and many in the large intestine—they like a calmer, less turbulent environment.
Posted 9/13/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Clearly no Crohnies! If they did the research with us, it would have to include data on what food was involved too.
Posted 9/13/2010 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
That would explain why food can go through us so quickly if we have Crohn's in the large intestine. 2 hours to go through roughly 20 feet, and then a quick 5 minute trip through the 5 feet of large intestine!!
Posted 9/13/2010 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Did this cool facts app cite its source? From my studies and advanced work, I have always read that normal intestinal transit times are from 36 to 48 hours - that's mouth to anus. The type of diet also influences the transit speed. Diets high in fruits, vegetables and multigrains are processed faster tahn those high in sugar and carbohydrates.

And then there is "everyone is different." Genetics, medications, hydration and stress also affect the transit time.
Posted 9/14/2010 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
"Average" time for a small bowel series is around 1 hour...this is from experience as an xray tech. Most people have barium reach their large intestines around an hour....less time for us though.
Posted 9/14/2010 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I think for me it takes about an hour to make the full trip.
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