Colon Treatments

Anti-diarrheal agents – Various medicines available can reduce discomfort and slow down diarrhea but this does not slow down recovery for most diarrheal illnesses.

Anti-inflammatory medicines – Various drugs can slow down immune system function, easing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Antibiotics – Medicines can kill bacteria in the colon, used to cure some cases of colitis. This maybe used for attacks of inflammatory bowel disease.

Probiotics – Microbes are important for the helath of the colon. Probiotics are supplements of healthy microbes which may have benefits for some conditions like Crohn’s colitis.

Stool softeners – Over the counter and prescription medicines can soften the stool rarely affecting constipation.

Laxatives – Herbs, medicines and some salts can stimulate the bowel muscled or may bring more water into the bowel to relieve constipation.

Enema – This is a term used for pushing liquid into the colon through the anus. This can deliver medicines to treat constipation or other colon conditions.

Polypectomy – removal of the polyp

Colon surgery – using open or laparoscopic surgery, part or all of the colon maybe removed (colectomy). This maybe done for severe bleeding, cancer or ulcerative colitis.

Colon Test

Several tests can be done to check and verify the condition of the colon. Enumerated below are some of it.

Stool in occult blood testing – A test for blood in the stool. If blood is in the stool, a colonoscopy is usually needed to look for the source.

Colonoscopy – An endoscope flexible tube with a camera on its tip is inserted into the rectum and advanced through the colon.

Virtual Colonoscopy – A test in which an X-ray machine and a computer create images of the inside of the colon. If problems are detected a traditional colonoscopy is needed.

Sigmoidoscopy – An endoscope is inserted into the rectum and advanced through the left side of the colon. This cannot be used to view the middle and the right side of the colon.

Colon biopsy – During colonoscopy, a small piece of colon tissue maybe removed for testing. This can help diagnose cancer, infection or inflammation.

Conditions of the Colon

There are several conditions that the colon may have.  These are enumerated bellow:

Diarrhea – Stools that are frequent, loose or watery. Most diarrheas is due to self-limited, mild infections of the colon or small intestines.

Traveller’s diarrhea – may different bacteria commonly contaminate water or food in developing countries. Loose stools, sometimes with nausea and fever are symptoms.

Colitis –Inflammation of the colon. Most common causes of having this are inflammatory bowel disease or infections.

Diverticulosis – small weak areas of the colon’s wall allows the colon’s lining to protrude through which forms tiny pouches called diverticuli. Diverticuli usually cause no problems, but can bleed or become inflamed.

Ulcerative colitis – an inflammatory condition that usually affects the colon and rectum. Like Crohn’s disease, bloddy diarrhea is a common symptom like ulcerative colitis.

Colon Bleeding (hemorrhage) – multiple potential colon problem can cause bleeding. Rapid bleeding is visible in the stool but very slow bleeding may not be.

Crohn’s disease – an inflammatory condition that usually affects the colon and intestines. Abdominal pain and diarrhea which maybe bloody are symptoms.

Salmonellosis – Salmonella bacteria can contaminate the food and infect the intestine causing diarrhea and stomach cramps and usually resolves without treatment.

Shigellosis – Shigella bacteria can also contaminate the food and invade the colon. Some of the symptoms include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, which maybe bloody.

Colon polyps – polyps are small growth. Some of these develop into caner, but it takes a long time. Removing them can prevent many colon cancers.

Colon cancer – Cancer of the colon affects more than 100,000 Americans each year. Most colon cancer is preventable through regular screening.

Understanding Colon

Our large intestine is also called the colon. The last part of the small intestine is called the ileum which is then connected to the first part of the large intestine which is called the cecum in the lower right part of our abdomen. The rest of the colon is then divided into four parts which are:

Ascending Colon – travels up the right of the abdomen

Descending Colon – travels down the left abdomen

Transverse Colon – runs across the abdomen

Sigmoid Colon – a short curving of the colon, just before the rectum

Colon functions in removing the water, salt and some nutrients which is formed as stool. Muscles line the colon walls, squeezing its contents along. Billions of bacteria coat the colon and its contents, living in a healthy balance with the body.