Abdominal pain due to disease in the colon

The article is written by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

The colon is part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive tract. After food is broken down in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine, the undigested food is passed through the large intestine. The colon is responsible for absorbing water, salts and vitamins left over from food and condensing into stool. The stool is then moved from the sigmoid colon into the rectum, where it is retained before being passed out as waste.

Symptoms of colon disorders often include:
Abdominal pain. Constipation . Diarrhea . Abdominal distension. Bloating. Constriction in the abdomen. Tired.

The colon is susceptible to inflammation and inflammatory disorders that can be caused by:
Diet. Stress . Life style. Medicine. When your colon is healthy, it effectively removes waste products that your body no longer needs. However, when your colon isn't healthy, it can lead to a host of painful problems. The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as:
Ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon - the last part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. Crohn's disease, which usually causes pain around the navel or in the lower right side of the abdomen. Diverticulitis, often causing pain in the sigmoid or ascending colon. Irritable bowel syndrome, often causing pain in the lower left abdomen. Colorectal cancer, rarely causing abdominal pain.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are caused or aggravated by an unhealthy diet. In fact, up to 70% of the risk of colorectal cancer - the third most deadly form of cancer in the United States - can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating.
Reduce your food intake
The first step in treating colon-onset pain is to change your diet to see if you can reduce inflammation and pain. Some foods contribute to more inflammation, including:
Red meat. Fried foods. Refined sugar and processed carbohydrates. Alcohol. The coffee. Adjust your lifestyle
The second step in treating colonic pain is making lifestyle changes, eliminating behaviors that are bad for colon health, such as:
Smoking. Working environment sitting a lot / sedentary. Lazy exercise. Reconsider your medications
The third step is to review your current medications. If possible, stop using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, which can increase inflammation and affect the lining of the intestines. Your doctor can offer alternatives.
Eat more fiber
Fiber speeds up the waste removal process, helping to reduce constipation and inflammation. Without enough roughage to keep the bowels moving, stools can become hard and painful. With an adequate intake of fiber, your colon will relieve the strain and pressure it creates in the abdomen and veins, helping to reduce the risk of:
Hernia. Hemorrhoids . Varicose veins. Colon cancer. Fat . High Blood Pressure . Some healthy sources of fiber to consider including in your diet are:
Bran. Cereals. Fruits. Vegetable. Nuts. Drink more water
Dehydration can contribute to hard, painful stools and slow, obstructed bowel movements. The US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day to maintain the proper amount of water in the body.
Exercise more
A stressful or sedentary lifestyle can worsen colon disease. Therefore, it is important that you find ways to relax and give your body the time it needs to get the exercise it needs to stay functioning properly. A 2009 study found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of diverticulitis in men by up to 37%.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery is a suitable option to relieve pain originating in the colon.

Remember, anything you eat has an impact on your body. Eating a typical Western diet: High in fat, sugar, and low in fiber will add to inflammation, constipation, pain, and can cause uncomfortable bowel problems. Drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and vegetables, and cutting back on alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and processed foods can help improve symptoms if you're in pain.
According to experts, regular screening, starting at age 50 (or age 45 according to recent studies), is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. So if you're in this age group, talk to your doctor about getting screened for cancer. Most colorectal cancers are curable, as long as they are caught early and treated immediately.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a large hospital chain, the first general hospital in Vietnam to meet global medical standards. Currently, Vinmec is a leading medical facility in the field of colorectal cancer screening and detection.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that ensures modern equipment, a team of doctors, good and experienced staff with leading professors and doctors at home and abroad. Preventive, advanced tests allow the implementation of the most advanced colorectal cancer screening techniques.