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Large Intestine
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
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. 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).
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.
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 undigestible 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.
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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