The large intestine absorbs the extra water and bile salts from the digested food. If it does not do so, we may face the problem of constant diarrhea. Also, Large intestine stored undigested waste food residues and signals to defaecate. So if large intestine stops functioning, it will result in constipation as well.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term that describes disorders involving long-standing (chronic) inflammation of tissues in your digestive tract. Types of IBD include: Ulcerative colitis. This condition involves inflammation and sores (ulcers) along the lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the healthcare provider to view the entire length of the large intestine (colon). It can often help identify abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and bleeding.
Sudden belly (abdominal) pain that may be mild, moderate or severe. An urgent need to have a bowel movement. Frequent, forceful bowel movements. Abdominal tenderness or bloating (distention)
People with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis have chronic intestinal inflammation. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea and gas. Medications and surgery can help manage IBD flares, putting the condition into remission.
Call your doctor if you have abdominal pain that lasts 1 week or longer, if your pain doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, if bloating lasts more than 2 days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 5 days.
Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels despite the urge to do so. This is called tenesmus.
Problems with the colon, or large intestine, can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Possible causes include constipation, diarrhea, and a range of gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel disease or colitis.
Inflammation of the colon, or colitis, may occur for many reasons. It may be due to a short-term infection from consuming contaminated food, or a sign of a chronic condition, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Colitis symptoms may include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.
Up to half of adults who develop a large bowel obstruction have colorectal (colon) cancer. A cancerous tumor causes the blockage. Other causes of bowel obstructions in adults include: Abdominal adhesions (scar tissue) from surgeries.
Possible causes are: The immune system responds incorrectly to environmental triggers, such as a virus or bacteria, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There also appears to be a genetic component.
Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion/dyspepsia, bloating and constipation are common in the community. However, these symptoms may be misinterpreted and their impact and significance misunderstood both by health care providers and patients.
The inner lining of the intestines is one of the most-often renewed surfaces in the human body, replenishing itself every 2 to 4 weeks. Lining replacement depends on stem cells stored within indentations called crypts, which are densely scattered across the intestine's inner wall.
Atonic colon (pronounced ay-TAW-nik KOH-lun) occurs when there is a lack of normal muscle tone or strength in the colon. Also, known as lazy colon or colon stasis, it may result in chronic constipation.
Pain in your colon may be caused by a temporary issue like an infection or a common condition like lactose intolerance. In some cases, colon pain may be a sign of a serious illness, such as irritable bowel disease or diverticulitis. The pain can vary in location depending on what's causing it.
Colon Spasms. Colon spasms are a symptom of intestinal distress. You may have colon spasms as an acute reaction to an infection or a food intolerance. Some people have chronic colon spasms related to an underlying condition, such as IBS.
Narrow or pellet-like stools: if you have advanced or severe diverticulitis, your large intestine may narrow, causing stool to become thin, narrow, or pellet-shaped.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
The pain that Crohn's patients feel tends to be crampy. It often appears in the lower right abdomen but can happen anywhere along the digestive tract. “It depends on where that inflammatory process is happening,” says Nana Bernasko, DNP, gastroenterology expert with the American Gastroenterological Association.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatories include aminosalicylates, such as mesalamine (Delzicol, Rowasa, others), balsalazide (Colazal) and olsalazine (Dipentum). Time-limited courses of corticosteroids are also used to induce remission. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, steroids are immunosuppressing.
Decrease concentrated sweets in your diet, such as juices, candy and soda, to help decrease amounts of water pulled into your intestine, which may contribute to watery stools. Decrease alcohol consumption. Try incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These fats may have an anti-inflammatory effect.