Common conditions of the colon

Various disorders can affect the colon, such as:

IBS

IBS is a name for a group of symptoms that include painful abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.

The exact cause of IBS is unclear, but a number of factors can influence its development, such as gastrointestinal infections, stress, anxiety, and a family history of the condition. The American Gastroenterology Association also cites impaired function or coordination of the digestive muscles, an increase in sensations of pain in the internal organs, and brain-gut dysfunction.

The treatment for IBS varies from person to person. It may involve:

Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a disease that causes small pouches, known as diverticula, to bulge outward throughout the colon. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, doctors call this diverticulitis.

The risk of developing diverticulitis increases with age, and a low fiber diet is another risk factor.

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

Treatment for diverticulitis may include:

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, also called ulcers, in the lining of the colon and rectum. It typically starts between ages 15–39 and often runs in families.

Some symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

Many types of medication can treat ulcerative colitis, but if it is severe, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the colon.

Colonic polyps

A polyp is an extra mass of cells that grows somewhere inside the body. Colonic polyps are polyps that grow in the colon. Most of the time, polyps are not a cause for concern, but some can become cancerous.

The chance of forming polyps is higher for people aged over 50 and people with a personal or family history of polyps or colon cancer.

Most of the time, polyps do not present with any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may include blood in the stool, diarrhea, or constipation that lasts longer than a week.

Doctors can remove polyps when they examine the colon during a colonoscopy.

Learn how to prepare for a colonoscopy here.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors develop in the lining of the large intestine. The risk is higher in people with:

Symptoms of colorectal cancer are not always present at first, but they may include:

frequent cramps or gas pains

feeling bloated or full

a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely

constipation or diarrhea

fatigue

nausea

stool that is unusually narrow

bright red or very dark blood in stool

symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and dizziness

weight loss

vomiting

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage and progression of cancer. Some treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.