Colon Problem

Colon problems are very common and there are many types of problems related to the colon. While some problems are minor and can be easily treated, there are some which takes a lot of effort to cure or are sometimes even life-taking. The causes, symptoms and treatment of these problems will differ from each other. Let us take a look at these colon problems:

o Hemorrhoids: this is the problem where the veins in the rectum swell up because of the pressure exerted to it. The symptoms are itching, pain, swell, and bleeding during bowel movement.

o Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): this is also referred to spastic colon. Individuals with this disorder may experience bouts of constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, fever, and nausea. For many people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, dietary and lifestyle changes can successfully reduce or even eliminate the problem.

o Crohn's disease: When a person suffers from Crohn's Disease, the colon's lumen is too narrow and as a result, the digestive tract is chronically inflamed. Although Crohn's Disease most commonly affects the last portion of the small intestine or the colon, it can affect any part of the digestive tract. These symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, weight loss, anal pain, bloating, rectal abscess, skin lesions, joint pain, and fissures. Excessive bleeding may also occur, which can lead to anemia.

o Polyps: this is a common colon problem and though at first these polyps are benign, they may become cancerous. They can be found on the lining of the colon or rectum, and vary from the size of a pinhead to a golf ball or larger. These polyps are more likely to occur if some body in the family suffers from colon cancer. It is hard to diagnose these polyps because they don't show symptoms but it is necessary to remove them.

o Diverticulosis: this problem is caused when the mucosa lining is not receiving enough blood from the arterioles causing the muscles in the colon to weaken. Symptoms, if present, may include bleeding, abdominal pain and inflammation.

o Ulcerative colitis: this is also a common colon problem and is an inflammation of the innermost lining of the rectum and colon. A person suffering from Ulcerative Colitis may have symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, or fevers. These symptoms are caused by the tiny ulcers, which bleed and produce pus, that develop on the surface of the rectum and colon lining.