The rectum is the last part of the digestive system, and the colon, which is also called the large intestine, precedes it. Food passes into the colon from the small intestine. Water and nutrients are absorbed into the body, the remaining waste matter passes into the rectum and it's then evacuated from the body. Problems can arise in both of these areas.
Polyps
Polyps are small bundles of tissue that can develop on the walls of the colon and rectum. When these polyps sit for several years, they can become cancerous. Cancer in the colon or rectum is often called colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer appears in more than 5 percent of the population in their lifetime and is more common in men than women.
Constipation
Constipation is a condition in which the colon gets backed up with fecal matter. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several symptoms that determine this condition. Hard stools, having fewer than three bowel movements a week, straining excessively during bowel movements and experiencing a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement are all symptoms.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the complete opposite of constipation. You have frequent, loose, watery bowel movements and blood can appear in your stool. This condition can be acute or chronic. It can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever if it's from a virus.
IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition in which food gets moved along too quickly or too slowly in the colon due to faulty digestive muscles. This can cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain and intermittent bouts of diarrhea and constipation.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids, also called piles, occur in the lower rectum in the anus underneath the skin. Veins in this area become inflamed and swollen, and they can eventually cause rectal bleeding if serious enough. Pregnancy, chronic constipation and aging are all factors.
Fissures
Anal fissures are tears that occur in the anus. These can cause pain, itching and bleeding, and they can back their way up to the lower rectum. As with hemorrhoids, these can develop from chronic diarrhea or constipation.
IBD
Inflammatory bowel diseases can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two types of IBD in which sores can develop in the rectum and work their way into the colon. In addition to pain and abdominal cramps, you can also experience intestinal bleeding and weight loss with these conditions.
