A diseased colon can cause major issues in a person's digestive tract. Depending on the severity of the disease, a person may experience anything from a slight discomfort to death. Knowing the signs of a diseased colon can go a long way to help you diagnose a problem and then seek the correct medical attention to fix it.
Change in Bowel Movements
The most common symptom of a diseased colon is a change in bowel movements. These changes usually manifest themselves over a period of time. It is important to take note of when these changes occur to determine if there is a pattern. The most common changes will be the onset of diarrhea or constipation which lasts more than a couple of weeks. You may also experience a change in the consistency of the feces. What makes this difficult is that these changes are sometimes natural things your body does to expel waste. What is important to note here is the duration of the symptoms. If these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, you should seek medical attention.
Rectal Bleeding
Another sign to watch out for is rectal bleeding. This occurs when there are abrasions in the colon or rectum which will be expelled from the body during a bowel movement. Rectal bleeding can be caused by many things which have nothing to do with a diseases colon, such as hemorrhoids or constipation. The bleeding in those cases is generally localized and will not persist. What you should be on the lookout for is chronic blood loss which does not go away on its own. This may be a sign of a much greater problem. You will notice rectal bleeding either on the toilet paper you use or mixed in with your feces.
Swollen Abdomen
Finally, you may feel bloated and gassy or your abdomen may be tender. This is generally caused by a blockage somewhere in the colon area. These blockages can be caused by tumors or the hardening of feces and other material in the rectum and colon areas. Once the blockage occurs, the methane gas which is naturally produced by the body will have no way to escape. If too much gas builds up in the body, it can cause a rupture in the digestive tract which can lead to serious health issues. If you have been feeling gassy and bloated coupled with a tender stomach for a long period of time, it may be a sign of a diseased colon.
