A large number of the population today suffer from colon related health problems. There many differing types of colon health problems it is hard to comprehend. In 2005 in the United States of America, 69,398 women and 72,007 men were diagnosed with colon (colorectal) cancer. Rather shocking was the fact that 27,259 women and 26,781 men died from colon cancer in the same year. Most people will have known someone that was close to them who has suffered from this disease or similar illness. It has now progressed to become an epidemic in society.

It’s important to consult a health-care provider that will be able to treat and diagnose the problems. How do you know if your having problems with your bodies large intestine? A list of the common disorders involving this internal organ are:

IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that affects your GI tract; it’s the most common of colon related problems that doctors diagnose. The precise cause is unknown. The symptoms will include gassiness, bloating, abdominal pain and abdominal cramping, diarrhea and or constipation and blood in the stools. These symptoms tend to get worse during the times of stress and bad diet.

Some of the treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome includes a change of diet, lifestyle and sometimes medication. Abstaining from particular food types can help to avoid bloating and gassiness, such as broccoli, cauliflower, beans and Brussels sprouts.

Another regular treatment is addition of more fiber into the diet. This will help reduce the chance for the digestive tract to spasm as it digests the food. Adding more fiber to diets can also help with regular movements of the bowel and will reduce the chance of suffering from constipation.

Stress can also cause IBS to occur. Regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can help to reduce stress and other related problems associated with this illness.

Smoking can also increase symptoms of IBS and some foods can make irritable bowel syndrome worse.

Constipation

It is important to understand that constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Constipation will occur when stools are hardened because they do not contain sufficient water. This can also mean difficulty passing the stools. A great number of people suffer from this colon health related problem, but it can be treatable.

Someone with a blockage can experience less bowel movements; normally it would be from three bowel movements a day to three a week. If the bowels are not moved for three consecutive days, there will likely be pain and difficulty when defecating.

Causes of constipation can be contributed to; not eating enough fiber in your diet, taking some medications, pregnancy, IBS, ignoring the bodies desire to make a bowel movement, and too much laxative.

Ways to prevent and alleviate this ailment include eating more fiber such as flax seeds, oat bran and rice bran, beans, peas, blueberries, apples and pears, regular exercising, consume a lot of water and other fluids, stop using over the counter laxatives and visiting the bathroom at the same time of day.

An enema will clear the bowels and allow feces to pass more easily. They work by inserting a tube into the rectum and flowing water into the bowel. Water is retained for a short period and then released.

Another colon cleansing choice is colonic irrigation. A practitioner or doctor will perform the colonic; the patient will have a tube inserted into the rectum that allows water to flow in and out of the bowel removing the waste from the colon. Generally, Colonics are more comfortable than using enemas.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a symptom and not a disease. It is the frequent passing of watery stools and accompanied by bloating and gas. Related complications can also often cause severe illnesses. By far the most severe problem caused by diarrhea is that of dehydration, stools are commonly very watery and therefore causes the body to discharge too much of the bodies water. When accompanied by vomiting it further increases the bodies water loss.

This usually passes within 2 – 3 days without medical treatment. Many can be treated at home by drinking adequate amounts of water and eating normally. Loperamide and some antibiotics can be used to treat diarrhea.

Ulcerative Colitis

This is basically the inflammation of the colon. Many different causes of colitis include poor blood flow, autoimmune reactions and infections. Bacteria and viruses are the cause of a number of different types of intestinal infections. Most come from food poisoning such as E coli, shigella, and salmonella.

The symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain, blood in the stool and constant urge for a bowel movement, often fever, chills and constant pain.

The treatment for colitis include antibiotics, taking of intravenous fluids and also a combination of medications that are administered to the patient whilst being monitored for a period of time.

Crohn’s disease

500,000 people in the United States today are affected by Crohn’s disease. It is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease; it causes inflammation and swelling in the bodies digestive tract. Usually affecting the small intestine and some parts of the colon, it is often mistaken for other colon disorders such as IBD, ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis.

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include: persistent diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue and fever, . There is no known cure,
there are though many treatments that are available to assist managing the disease and keeping the symptoms from returning for long periods of time. Treatments include corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, biologic therapies, immune modifiers, and antibiotics.

Some sufferers may even have to have surgery at some point. Surgery can clear the blockage of the intestine, treat symptoms that medication can’t, and also repair the damage to the intestines.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors start to form on the large intestine and or the rectum. On occasions benign tumors called polyps will form inside the intestine, while malignant tumors in the large intestines are called cancers. Benign polyps are not life threatening and can be removed during a colonoscopy. Malignant cancers can form over time if polyps are not removed.

A high fat diet can cause Colorectal cancer or it can be inherited. The presence of polyps in the intestine and chronic ulcerative colitis, as you may already know, is fatal in some cases, but often can be treated.

The most common treatment for this intestinal cancer is surgery. During an operation, the tumor would be removed. Patients are watched and tested to make ensure the cancer has not spread to any of the other organs, if it has, then more surgery could be required or chemotherapy.

Colon cancer is the most fatal of all colon health problems. This is why it is essential to take care of yourself. Eat a well balanced diet, engage in exercising regularly, and be sure to report any abnormality to your physician.

Be sure to follow good colon health practices for a healthy colon and a healthy life.