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The colon receives water and undigested food products from the small intestine. Its function is to absorb water and to solidify the stool into a formed bolus which can be easily passed. If one ingests insufficient amounts of fiber in his diet, constipation may develop. Fiber is anything not digested or absorbed by the small intestine and which passes into the colon. Bran is one example of fiber.

Colon Disorders

Colon Disorders

Constipation, Diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Spastic Colon, Mucus Colitis

Constipation usually develops because of the inadequate ingestion of food, particularly fiber and water. The colon depends upon a certain amount of fiber to produce adequate amounts of stool (bowel movement) which can be passed easily from the right side of the colon to the left side. Adequate water (2 1/2 quarts or more) must be consumed to assure that the stool is soft and not hard. Normal colon function also depends upon a certain amount of daily activity. In bedfast or inactive people constipation is more frequent. For more information on constipation click here! The disorder called spastic colon or more recently termed irritable bowel syndrome, is where patients experience constipation, diarrhea, or alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, in association with abdominal pain. This is a very common disorder and affects millions of people. It can often be treated by adding fiber and water to the diet. Sometimes medications are prescribed to decrease the spasm in the bowel. It is not a dangerous condition and does not predispose to the development of cancer

Diverticulosis, Diverticulitis

In people over the age of 50, the presence of small pockets which stick out from the wall of the colon called "diverticula" is very common. These diverticula are usually of no concern.; However, should they become infected, the term diverticulitis is used. Diverticula by themselves cause no symptoms, however, diverticulitis can cause abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, fever, and sometimes constipation. Treatment with antibiotic will usually solve the problem, but, sometimes surgical removal of the involved segment of the colon is necessary. Occasionally, one of the thin walled diverticula will perforate and allow leakage of colon contents into the abdominal cavity. This is a serious condition requiring immediate surgery. Bleeding is another problem sometimes encountered with diverticulosis. It is currently believed that the prevention of diverticulosis may be possible if young people would add sufficient amounts of dietary fiber to their daily diets.

Colon Cancer

Over 100,000 cases of new colon cancer are diagnosed yearly in the United States. Cancer cells do not develop from normal cells in the colon in most cases, rather normal cells develop abnormal changes in them and become "adenomas." Adenomas are small growths called polyps in the colon. If these are detected early and removed, colon cancer does not develop. Once a polyp (adenoma) develops, it may take 5 to 10 years for it to grow and finally degenerate into a cancer, so, there is sufficient time for the polyps to be detected and removed. This is why it is so important to have: 1) a yearly check of the stools for occult blood (blood which cannot be seen with the naked eye), and 2) sigmoidoscopy (looking with a small tube up into the colon) every three years once beyond the age of 50. Unfortunately, if colon cancer is not detected in the early stages, it spreads beyond the colon and adequate treatment is not effective to provide a cure. If a person is beyond the age of 50, he should see his doctor to have a sigmoidoscopic examination and his stool checked yearly for occult blood. If one has a family history of colon cancer, he should inform his doctor of this, and a complete evaluation of his colon should be done. Symptoms which occur in association with colon cancer can be abdominal pain, distention, constipation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and anemia (usually associated with fatigue and weakness). More information on colon cancer is a click away.

Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A condition of unknown cause which causes superficial ulceration of part or all of the colon lining. The symptoms include abdominal pain, cramps, gas and diarrhea. Fatigue and low grade fever are common. The diarrhea usually contains bright red blood. Anemia may result if the bleeding persists. In most cases this disorder can be treated medically, but in severe conditions it may require the removal of the colon. The risk for the development of colon cancer increases significantly 8-10 years after the onset of the ulcerative colitis. The risk exists whether the disease has been active or inactive, and regular examinations of the colon are very important. For more information on inflammatory bowel disease, please click here.

Gas

Gas which is passed from the rectum is called flatus. There is great variability among people regarding how often and how much gas is passed. Gas comes from two sources. It is swallowed as we eat and drink, and it is manufactured by bacteria normally present in the colon as they digest residue from food. Some foods, (e.g. beans) characteristically cause more gas because they contain more indigestible residue which enters the colon. Some patients have difficulty expelling gas which results in abdominal distention and cramps. Treatment of excessive gas may involve changes in the diet, methods to reduce air swallowing, and medication. Gaseous complaints resulting in increased belching and or flatus can also be associated with a host of other gastrointestinal disorders as described in this booklet.

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Anus Disorders

Hemorrhoids

The normal veins present just inside the rectum and in the area of the anus are called hemorrhoidal veins. When they become irritated as the result of constipation, diarrhea, or straining, they become dilated and are called hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids which become very large may prolapse (stick out from the rectum). Most hemorrhoids can be controlled with topical creams or ointments and with the addition of fiber to one's diet to prevent constipation or diarrhea and to keep the stool in a formed soft consistency. If medical treatment is unsuccessful surgery is an option.

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Diagnosing Colon disorders

Your physician may wish to investigate problems of your colon by either imaging the colon with an X-Ray known as a Barium Enema or by endoscopy by a procedure known as a colonoscopy.

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