Common diseases and conditions that affect the colon?
There are many conditions and disease processes that can affect the colon. Below is a summary of those most likely to occur in modern society that could impact on our health.
Adhesions
Adhesions is scar tissue (fibrous bands) that can loop over the bowel wall connecting it to other portions of the bowel or to other organs such as the uterus. This causes a mechanical obstruction of the tube of the bowel causing constipation, impaired bowel mobility, slowing down of the transit time, pain and bloated sensations. Scar tissue often forms are surgeries such as removal of the appendix, caesarians or chronic endometriosis.
Anorectal Abscess
Anorectal abscesses are essentially cysts forming in the wall of the bowel
Appendicitis
Is inflammation of the appendix often caused by a ball of stool (fecolith) that obstructs the appendix tube (lumen). In acute cases the appendix is removed as it can be life threatening if it bursts resulting in peritonitis. Pain caused by the appendix can start off as general abdominal pain that later can centralise to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. If in doubt, seek immediate medical advise and AVOID placing anything hot over the inflamed area as this may encourage further swelling and accelerate the bursting of the appendix. Also don’t poke about in the area, not that the pain would allow too much of that.
Atonic Colon
Atonic means “no tone” so its commonly referred to as a “lazy bowel” often caused by laxatives or dietary imbalances (lack of fibre) and less commonly by diseases such as Hirschsprung disease.
Cancers ( Benign and Malignant)
Cancers are more likely to be found in the large intestine compared to the small intestine. Women are more likely to have cancer forming in the colon regions (ascending, transverse & descending) whereas men are likely to have them forming in the rectum. Both sexes are equally affected.
Risk factors are lifestyle related such as high fat, high protein, high sugar, and high proceeded foods. The general rule of thumb is the wider your waist line the higher the cancer risk. Heredity factors are suspected but cancer does thrive in the right environment. Fat adults often have fat kids not because it’s hereditary but rather learnt eating habits that have served them poorly.
In America colon cancer is the second biggest killer in adults so the message is clear change your diet and reduce your cancer risk!
Candidiasis
Candida Albicans is a common fungus that most people carry without any health issues, but when the balance is out and Candida takes over symptoms appear. Candida is commonly known as Thrush and can colonise in the mouth, gut and vagina.
Common symptoms are tiredness, irritability, sugar craving, gas, headaches and if you suffer vagina thrush itchiness, burning, soreness accompanied by a white vaginal discharge.
Good bacteria and a strong immune system keep Candida in check, so when this balance is disturbed by antibiotics, corticosteroids, malnutrition or certain disease processes such as AIDS or diabetes, Candida thrives making life a misery.
Coeliac Disease
More coming soon!
Constipation
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Constricted Colon
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Crohn’s Disease
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Cryptitis
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Diarrhoea
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Diverticulitis
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Dysbiosis
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Haemorrhoids
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Hernias
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Intestinal Dysenteries
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Intestinal Obstructions
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Intestinal Parasitic Infections
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Intussusception
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IBS- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Megacolon
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Peritonitis
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Pilonodal
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Prolapsed Colon
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Rectal Fissures
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Rectal Fistula
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Spastic Colon
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Ulcerative Colitis
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Volvulus
More coming soon!
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