Large intestine: what is it and what diseases can it affect

The large intestine is the end part of the digestive tract. Any doctor will tell you that it consists of several departments: blind, colon, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. All of them can become a place of localization of inflammatory processes.

Proctosigmoiditis

This term in medicine is the inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum. In most cases, this diagnosis indicates serious problems with digestion, so the entire large intestine should be treated. The cause of the disease is most often found in solid feces - they provoke irritation of the mucous membrane. In addition, inflammation can be caused by ingestion of microorganisms into the intestine. This disease is considered uncomplicated: as soon as you tell the doctor about what you are worried about, he will immediately understand that the large intestine is to blame for everything. Symptoms include redness in the anus and erosion. However, a neglected disease can be accompanied by severe bleeding. Traditional treatment is called enema (special oils are added to the water).

Fistula

This disease is characterized by an inflammatory process in the anus. Having examined your large intestine, a specialist diagnoses the formation of a fistulous course. The provocative factor most often becomes paraproctitis - inflammation of fatty tissue. To get rid of a fistula it is possible only surgically, however it is not necessary to experience: operation is transferred by patients easy enough. Its complexity depends on how deep the fistula is located.

Polyps

The large intestine can become a place for the formation of polyps - benign proliferations of glandular epithelium. Polyps can be of various shapes - a ball, a pear or a head on a leg. Most often, polyps accompany such diseases as hemorrhoids, colitis, prolonged constipation. Like fistulas, they are removed surgically. Before this, local anesthesia is performed. A relatively new method is endoscopic surgery. In the rectum of the patient, a special instrument with a video camera is inserted at the end. Due to this, the surgeon can carefully examine the problem area, repeatedly increasing its image.

Tumors

Even if you feel well, you need to regularly check the large intestine. Its disease can range from banal constipation to a real tumor. Colorectal cancer is most common in people between the ages of forty and sixty; It is usually preceded by: prolonged hemorrhoids, anal fissures and polyps. In order to get rid of the tumor, surgery is required. In particularly difficult cases, chemotherapy may be necessary.

Anal fissures

In medicine, they are considered the easiest case, but the patient can bring a lot of unpleasant minutes. The signs of cracks are painful defecations and bloody discharge. Get rid of them is simple: you just need to adhere to a special diet and use emollients ointments and oils.