A perforated colon is a condition that can result in death and requires immediate treatment. Peritonitis is a common infection related to a perforated colon. The peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdomen wall, becomes infected when toxins from...
Virtual colonoscopy is a computerized tomographic scanning of the colon. During the procedure, patients are given a liquid called contrast media, which enables the gastroenterologist to identify abnormal colon tissues. Air is pumped into the colon...
A colonoscopy is a lower gastrointestinal procedure used to find colon abnormalities such as colon cancer, colon tumors, colon inflammation and colon ulcers. Colonoscopy involves the insertion of a long flexible fiberoptic tube, known as...
A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables the physician to examine the lining of the colon for abnormalities such as colon tumors, colon polyps, inflammation, ulceration and sites of bleeding. Some patients may experience mild and temporary...
There has been a greater focus on colon therapy over the last few years, partly because of its popularity among some of celebrities. Colon cleansing uses water to "cleanse" the large intestine, supposedly removing matter that has built up in the...
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to detect changes or abnormalities inside the colon or large intestine, using an instrument known as colonoscope. Colonoscopy usually takes about 20 minutes to an hour. According to a 2006 study published...
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon. It is mainly caused by chronic bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Colitis may also be caused by acute infection, food poisoning and lack of blood flow...
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to view the internal regions of the colon or intestine. During this exam, a doctor inserts a small, lighted camera called a colonoscope into a patient's anus. A doctor may recommend a colonoscopy...
Most people have experienced diarrhea at some point in life, and while it is uncomfortable, it tends to resolve on its own within a few days. Acute bleeding diarrhea, however, can be a sign of serious illness and should be treated as a medical...
Dietary fiber refers to the portions of whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables your body can't digest. Also known as roughage or bulk, fiber passes through your intestines and out of your body in your bowel movements. A diet rich in fiber...
Water therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, can be used effectively to treat a variety of common illnesses and conditions. According to the American Cancer Society, water therapy can take the form of hot baths, warm or cold compresses, steam...
According to Gicare.com, a colonoscopy is an exam conducted by a gastroenterologist so as to check for colon abnormalities such as colon tumors, colon polyps, ulcers, inflammation and areas of bleeding. A colonoscopy is also used to check for the...
A colonic irrigation entails the cleansing of the colon using fluids, such as water, herbal solutions and enzymes. Proponents of this procedure claim that it detoxifies the body and gets rid of excess waste in the colon. Currently, no research...
Colonics are non-surgical procedures which involve the introduction of liquids into the colon using rubber tubing and water pressure. Advocates say colonics remove bacteria, toxins and other unhealthy matter from the colon. Skeptics cite the fact...
Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It occurs in the colon, which is the longest part of the large intestine, or in the rectum, which is the last few inches of the colon closest to the anus. Most colon...
People undergo "cleanses" to help rid their body of pollutants and toxins accrued through exposure to the environment and processed foods. While the body's natural detox systems of the kidney, liver and lymphatic system efficiently and effectively...
Small pouches may form in the digestive system of some people. The pouches, called diverticula, may appear in the large intestine, small intestine, colon, stomach and esophagus. About 10 percent of people older than 40 and half of all people over...
Asacol treats an inflammatory chronic condition called ulcerative colitis. Asacol relieves the inflammatory process that occurs in the colon and rectum with ulcerative colitis and can lead to remission. Ulcerative colitis complications cause...
Colonic irrigation, also known as colon hydrotherapy, is a method of cleansing the colon using slightly pressurized irrigation. According to the Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center, colonic irrigation softens waste, allowing it to be eliminated...
A colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside the colon or rectum for a mass in patients with rectal cancer. In this test, doctors use a flexible, lighted instrument with a tiny built-in camera called a colonoscope to inspect the rectum or lower...
Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulceration in the colon and rectum. Patients with ulcerative colitis are at risk for vitamin deficiencies due to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms,...
A colonic, an alternative treatment used to cleanse the body of wastes and improve a variety of medical conditions, removes hardened fecal matter from the bowel by washing water through the colon. According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website,...
Colon cleansing can rid the body of toxins in the intestines that can cause a variety of health problems. Removing these toxins can boost your immune system, give you more energy, clear up your skin and help good gut flora to flourish. Colon...
The body's digestive system is a self-regulating, self-cleaning system. From the time when food enters the body to the point when it leaves, the body's chemicals maintain a healthy inner environment, as explained by University of Illinois-Chicago...
Left-sided abdominal pain can be caused by numerous conditions. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, abdominal pain can emerge from any of the abdominal structures or the abdominal wall. Abdominal pain can also originate in other...
Before administering a colonoscopy, doctors often perform colonic irrigation to clear your bowels of waste. Some alternative medicine advocates believe this technique cleanses the colon of dangerous toxins and can improve your health. Because use...
The average person carries 5 or more pounds of waste in her colon, according to the website Colon Health. Doing a colon cleanse will cause you to eliminate that waste and drop those pounds. The weight loss won't be permanent, though, because...
Your small intestine moves approximately 1 quart of waste to the colon every day. While your body expels most of this waste through bowel movements, some alternative medicine practitioners believe that dangerous toxins build up in the colon. Colon...