What are common colon problems?

There are many common problems affecting the colon and rectum. These conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, abscess, colitis, polyps and colon cancer.

How do you know if you have problems with your colon?

A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain. A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely.

What are the 10 early signs of colon cancer?

What is the biggest symptom of colon cancer?

The 3 main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), changes in bowel habit – such as more frequent, looser stools – and abdominal (tummy) pain. However, these symptoms are very common and most people with them do not have bowel cancer.

What does colon pain feel like?

Colon pain is pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by constipation, diarrhea, or bloody stool. The symptoms of colon pain can vary depending on the cause. It's important to seek treatment if you experience any type of colon pain, as it may be a sign of something more serious.

Common Colon Problems

What side of colon hurts?

Pain that's coming from the colon can cause pain on the left side of the abdomen. People with ulcerative colitis, for instance, report left-sided pain. However, there are many other reasons for this type of pain, so it should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

What are the silent signs of colon cancer?

Colon cancer is considered a silent disease. Most of the time there are no symptoms. The symptoms that people may experience include a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and weight loss. If individuals have these symptoms, the disease may already have advanced.

What hurts when you have colon cancer?

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen. Blood in the stool.

Do you poop alot with colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer might not cause symptoms right away, but if it does, it may cause one or more of these symptoms: A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days. A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one.

What does early stage colon cancer poop look like?

Thin stools are a sign of colon cancer. Any time you notice a narrow or ribbon-like stool, it indicates changes in your colon.

Does Stage 1 colon cancer have symptoms?

During stage 1 of colon cancer, no obvious signs or symptoms may have developed. As symptoms develop, they may vary depending on the tumor's size and location in the large intestine. Early symptoms may affect only the colon and result in changes in bowel habits.

What was your first colon cancer symptom?

One of the first signs of colon cancer may be a change in your bowel habits. For example, you may begin having constipation, diarrhea or narrow stools. All of these changes can be normal if they are temporary, but you should mention them to your doctor if they don't go away after a few days.

How do doctors check for colon problems?

Colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy exam, a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum. A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to detect changes or abnormalities inside the entire colon.

How can I check my colon at home?

FIT kits, provided by your doctor or laboratory, allow you to conveniently screen for colon cancer with ease in the privacy of your home. In just a few quick steps, you will use the provided materials to collect a small sample of your stool (poop). The stool sample will be sent to a lab for testing.

Can you check your own colon?

Testing yourself for colon cancer is now easier and more accurate. Cologuard is a do-it-yourself kit that allows you to collect your stool sample in the privacy of your home. The FDA approved it in 2014.

Does colon cancer show up in blood work?

No blood test can tell you if you have colon cancer. But your doctor may test your blood for clues about your overall health, such as kidney and liver function tests. Your doctor may also test your blood for a chemical sometimes produced by colon cancers (carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA).

What can trigger colon cancer?

What does stool look like with colon cancer?

Colon cancer can cause bleeding in the digestive tract and make your stool a dark brown, maroon, or black.

How long can you have colon cancer before knowing it?

Colon cancer is typically slow-growing, starting as a benign polyp that eventually becomes malignant. This process may occur over many years without producing any symptoms. Once colon cancer has developed, it may still be years before it is detected.

How do you rule out colon cancer?

Currently, three types of stool tests are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to screen for colorectal cancer: guaiac FOBT (gFOBT); the fecal immunochemical (or immunohistochemical) test (FIT, also known as iFOBT); and multitargeted stool DNA testing (also known as FIT-DNA).

What age does colon cancer start?

Colorectal cancer can occur in young adults and teenagers, but the majority of colorectal cancers occur in people older than 50. For colon cancer, the average age at the time of diagnosis for men is 68 and for women is 72. For rectal cancer, it is age 63 for both men and women.

What foods irritate the colon?

There are certain foods that can contribute to inflammation in the colon. Red meat, fried foods, refined sugar and carbohydrates, alcohol and coffee can all contribute to inflammation.

What causes inflamed colon?

Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.

Is colon on left or right side?

It is located in the lower right side of the abdomen. Ascending colon (right colon): This is the first part of the colon. Transverse colon: This is the middle part of the colon. Descending colon (left colon): This is the third part of the colon.