Although their symptoms are quite similar, a colon blockage --- also known as an intestinal obstruction --- and constipation are entirely different conditions. You may feel as if you're experiencing a blockage, but, as long as you can pass stool...
Colon blockage in children under 2 years old is usually a mechanical blockage or a pseudo-obstruction. In neonates, colon blockage symptoms appear one or two days after birth, while other blockages appear after ingesting inappropriate items or in...
Pain that flares up from just under your rib cage to above the pelvis bone, in front and on both sides is generally referred to as abdominal pain. Determine whether this uncomfortable feeling is caused by something wrong inside your abdominal...
Colonoscopies are commonly used to examine patients for polyps in their colons. Polyp detection is important because colon polyps can be a precursor for colon cancer. Consequently, colonoscopies should be done regularly (approximately once a year)...
Diverticula are pouches that develop in the large intestines. These balloon-like sacs may occur alone or in groups. Diverticula vary in size, but generally range between a tenth of an inch and one inch, according to the Merck Manuals. More than...
Abdominal pain and weight loss can have many causes -- from simple gastritis to a colon blockage. The diagnosis of your symptoms will begin with keeping a close watch on when they occur and their severity, and relaying that information to your...
Nutrition is a crucial part of any recovery from surgery, and surgery on the digestive tract requires careful nutritional management. Your intestines are healing from trauma and need good nutrition to aid in the healing process. Talk with your...
The colon, or large intestine, absorbs water and salts while moving fecal material toward the rectum. Disruption of normal colon structure and function can occur with a variety of medical conditions. Congenital defects, interruption of colonic...
There is little doubt that flaxseed oil supplements can provide some benefits. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, flaxseed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, for colon cleansing, the oil from flaxseed may...
Diverticula are small pouches in the digestive system that bulge in weak spots in the intestine. These pouches may form anywhere in the digestive system, such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine--the most common spot....
In the digestive system, there is no more important component than the colon. It is essentially the passage that allows feces to travel through and be excreted as efficiently as possible. The creation of even a minor blockage in the colon will...
A number of parasites can infect the human intestinal tract, the most common of which include tapeworms, hookworms, giardia, roundworms, flukes and trichinella. These parasites cause disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal cramping,...
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...
Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches in the lining of the colon bulge out through weak areas. A pouch is called a diverticulum. The disorder can lead to bleeding, infections, perforations or blockages in the colon. Symptoms and complications...
The colon, also known as the large intestine, is a pivotal part of the digestive system. In this organ, nutrients, water and minerals are absorbed and used by the body for daily functions. When the colon gets backed up with waste matter, it is...
An intestinal blockage or obstruction is the condition in which something prevents food and water from progressing through the digestive tract. The cause of an intestinal blockage can be either a mechanical obstruction (something physically in the...
Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of small pouches that pop out of the lining of the large intestine, often because of a weakness in the lining, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. This can cause...
Diverticula are small pouches that most commonly form in the large intestine, though they also might be found in the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. They are particularly common in people over 40. Diverticulitis occurs when the diverticula...
Diverticulosis is a chronic condition where multiple pouches bulge outward through weakened spots in the lining of the large intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflamed. According to the National Digestive Diseases...
Described by Medline Plus, the large intestine is composed of five segments: the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and the sigmoid colon. The primary function of the large intestine is to absorb the remaining water from...
Colon cleansing is a controversial practice that involves irrigating your bowel. Not everyone agrees that colon cleansing is effective to improve health. Active proponents of colon cleansing believe it can rid your body of excess waste and toxins...
Vitamin D represents one of hundreds of vitamins that maintain your health. You can obtain vitamin D from a range of sources: your skin generates the vitamin when exposed to sunlight, while supplements and foods provide a source of vitamin D to...
The colon is another name for the large intestine. The colon is primarily responsible for absorbing water and compacting fecal matter, although it can also absorb certain nutrients (primarily vitamins). The colon is lined by cells called...
According to the Global College of Natural Medicine, weight loss is practically guaranteed with a proper colon cleanse. While it may be true that a person can lose two to five pounds by completing a colon cleanse, these results are only temporary,...
Chronic complication can be extremely uncomfortable, causing cramps, bloating and stomach pain. Poor dietary habits, lack of exercise or fluids, certain medications as well as health conditions can lead to the problem. Temporary cases of...
Metastatic colon cancer is cancer of the colon that has spread to the other organs. Common places for colon cancer to spread include the liver, lungs, peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), or, in women, the ovaries, according to the American...
The colon, or large bowel, connects the small intestine to the rectum. The primary functions of the colon are absorption of water and salt and transport of fecal material to the rectum. Infection, inflammation and structural and functional...
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine to an artificial opening, or stoma, in the abdominal wall to bypass a damaged part of the colon. Waste then moves into a small bag attached to the abdomen. Immediately...
Colon cleansing can offer many health benefits that will improve the quality and longevity of life and reduce the risks of getting illnesses, including colon cancer. The digestive tract, including the colon, functions as an absorption and...
