The large intestine is also known as the colon, and it is situated in the lower part of your abdomen, tucked in towards the right. It rests next to the small intestine, with the last part of the small intestine, called the ileum, touching the face of the colon, called the cecum.

The colon consists of four parts:

The ascending colon is located upwards in the right side of your abdomen.

The transverse colon is located across the stomach.

The descending colon is located downwards, towards the left side of the abdomen.

The sigmoid colon is a small curving that is located right before the rectum

The colon is responsible for flushing out essential nutrients, salt and water from the waste and converting it into stool. The wall of the colon are lined with muscles that help it to squeeze out the nutrients and pass on the stool to the rectum. The colon is responsible for storing several bacteria and maintaining a healthy and wholesome balance in the body.

Ascending Colon Cancer Treatment

COLON CONDITIONS

1. COLITIS

A kind of inflammation that takes place within the colon. It can be caused by an infection in the colon, or due to the inflammatory bowel disease.

2. COLON BLEEDING

Also known as a hemorrhage, bleeding within the colon can result due to several problems. If the bleeding is light and slow, it may not be visible, however if it is rapid and heavy, it can be detected in the stool.

3. COLON CANCER

Research reveals that every year, over 100,000 Americans are affected by colon cancer. There are several types of cancers that affect the colon, but they can all be detected and prevented with the help of regular screening sessions.

4. COLON POLYPS

Polyps are tiny tumor-like growths that develop within the colon. In certain cases, these tumors tend to benign but with the passage of time, they can turn cancerous. Doctors often treat certain colon cancers by removing these polyps.

5. CROHN’S DISEASE

This is an inflammatory disease that commonly impairs the intestine and primarily the colon. It’s most common symptoms include stomach ache and diarrhea that is often accompanied by bleeding.

6. DIARRHEA

Diarrhea refers to extremely watery and loose stool that is forcing you to make frequent trips to the bathroom. Several cases of diarrhea occur due to self-limited and mild infections of the small intestine or the colon.

7. DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula gets infected or inflamed. It is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, severe stomach ache and constipation.

8. DIVERTICULOSIS

The tiny weak parts of the muscular wall surrounding the corner allow the formation of small pouches, known as diverticuli, by protruding the lining of the colon. In most cases, diverticuli don’t itself cause any ailments, however they can start bleeding, become infected or inflated.

9. INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Another medical term for both, ulcerative colitis and the Crohn’s disease. These two conditions cause inflammation within the colon, also known as colitis.

10. SALMONELLOSIS

A disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella, which contaminates our food and infects the intestine. Its symptoms include abdominal cramps and diarrhea, but they mostly tend to go away without any medication or treatment.

11. SHIGELLOSIS

A disease caused by the bacteria Shigella, which usually infects the colon by contaminating our food. Its common signs include abdominal cramps and diarrhea accompanied with bleeding.

12. TRAVELERS’ DIARRHEA

When travelling through developing regions and countries, it is extremely difficult to find clean water and hygienic food because most water and food supplies are contaminated with harmful bacteria. The common symptoms of traveler’s diarrhea include nausea, fever and loose and frequent stool.

13. ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Much like the Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that mostly impairs the rectum and the colon. Its most common symptoms include diarrhea accompanied with bleeding.

MEDICAL TESTS & EXAMINATIONS FOR THE COLON

1. COLON BIOPSY

This is a procedure that is performed during a colonoscopy, and it involves the removal of a tiny part of the colon tissue, which the doctors remove in order to examine it for infections. This procedure is necessary to diagnose several colon conditions, including inflammation, colitis, colon cancer and other infections.

2. COLONOSCOPY

A procedure that is used to treat several colon conditions. It involves the insertion of a flexible tube with a camera attached to one end, also known as an endoscope, inside the rectum, from where it travels throughout the colon. A colonoscope allows the doctors to obtain highly insightful imagery of the entire colon.

3. SIGMOIDOSCOPY

This procedure involves the insertion of an endoscope within the rectum, which then travels all the way to the left part of the colon. This test has a drawback that it cannot provide imagery of the right or central parts of the colon.

4. VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY

This test requires a computer and an X-ray machine to provide highly detailed imagery of the colon from within. If doctors are able to detect any problems, they then perform a traditional colonoscopy for further clarification.

5. STOOL OCCULT BLOOD TESTING

This is a test that detects signs of bleeding in the stool. In the instances this test detects blood in the stool, the doctors then perform a colonoscopy in order to identify and eliminate the cause behind this bleeding.

COLON TREATMENTS

1. ANTIBIOTICS

These are medicines that are used to eliminate the bacteria present inside the colon, and doctors often prescribe them to patients suffering with colitis. They are also used to treat cases of the inflammatory bowel disease.

2. ANTIDIARRHEAL AGENTS

These are medications that help reduce the symptoms and unpleasantness of diarrhea, along with reducing the frequency of the stool. However, reducing the symptoms doesn’t always cure certain cases of diarrhea unless the underlying cause is treated.

3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICINES

There are several anti-inflammatory drugs that help reduce the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, along with slowing down the functioning of the immune system.

4. COLON SURGERY

Doctors perform this procedure to cure several colon diseases, including colon cancer, ulcerative colitis and severe cases of bleeding. It can be performed by removing the entire colon, also known as a colectomy or a part of the colon that has been infected. The doctors can either perform an open surgery that requires one large incision, or a laparoscopy that requires multiple small incisions.

5. COLONOSCOPY

Using tools on the tip of the endoscope, a doctor can treat certain colon conditions. Bleeding, polyps, or cancer might be treated by colonoscopy.

6. ENEMA

This is a medical term that refers to pumping fluid inside the colon through the anus. Doctors use this procedure to provide certain medications that cure several colon diseases and constipation.

7. LAXATIVES

There are certain salts, herbs and medicines that help stimulate bowel movements or muscles, and fill up the bowel with fluid that passes on the stool and helps relieve constipation. However, using laxatives for a continuous period is highly dangerous.

8. POLYPECTOMY

This is a procedure that doctors perform during a colonoscopy, and it involves the removal of polyps present within the colon.

9. PROBIOTICS

The health of the colon thrives when nourished with microbes, and in order to obtain these microbes the doctors prescribe certain probiotic supplements that can cure diseases like colitis and the Crohn’s disease.

10. STOOL SOFTENERS

There are several prescriptive and over-the-counter medications that help soften and loosen up the stool to relive constipation. However, they may not work if the constipation is being caused by a stronger infection.