![]() The infection may involve the upper parts of the digestive tract, or the lower parts like the small and large intestine. These infectious can also be acquired through other routes such as infectious droplets that may nter through the respiratory passages. Infectionsįood poisoning is an infection or exposure to toxins from infectious agents through consuming contaminated food and water. A similar disruption occurs with malabsorption syndromes when the body cannot absorb certain nutrients. This undigested lactose draws out water into the bowels and causes symptoms like abdominal cramps and diarrhea. In conditions such as lactose intolerance the body is unable to digest milk sugar (lactose). A common example is in food intolerances such as lactose intolerance or malabsorption syndromes such as fructose malabsorption. These edibles may not cause inflammation but rather lead to disruption of normal digestive tract functioning. Foods and DrinksĪ number of foods and beverages can cause irritation of the digestive tract and not only the colon. Many of the causes of both conditions are similar. Inflammation of the colon (colitis) may also be accompanied by inflammation of the rectum (proctitis). Causes of Irritable ColonĪpart from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there are other possible digestive and colon conditions that may be referred to as an ‘irritated colon’. There may also be other non-digestive signs and symptoms such as fever, unintentional weight loss and malaise. Some of the common signs and symptoms include: The signs and symptoms of an irritated colon can be diverse depending on the underlying causes. As mentioned, an irritable colon can refer to a host of colon and digestive tract conditions other than IBS including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulitis, infectious colitis or even colorectal cancer. Although the colon is part of the bowels (specifically the large intestine), an irritable colon does not clearly indicate the nature of the underlying conditions. In fact the exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is not known but it appears to be an abnormality with the movement through the gut and the bowels specifically.Īn irritable colon is not necessarily due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Usually there is no significant inflammation in IBS. The term ‘irritable’ can be misleading as it may insinuate inflammation of the bowel. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition where there is abdominal pain along with change in bowel habit. Without proper diagnostic investigations, it can be difficult to identify the exact cause of an ‘irritable colon’. Sometimes there is no problem with the colon or any other part of the digestive despite the presence of these symptoms. ![]() ![]() However, it may also arise with a host of other digestive and abdominal conditions beyond the colon. This may include diarrhea (sometimes constipation or alternating between both), lower abdominal pain and/or cramping, excessive flatulence (gas), bloating (sensation of fullness), urging to pass stool and/or rectal pain and/or bleeding.Īll of these symptoms can be attributed to problems with the colon. Instead it is a common term used to describe certain symptoms that are often associated with colon. The term ‘irritable colon’ is not a specific medical condition. The disturbances that may be associated with an irritable colon may be seen in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. This may sometimes be referred to as an irritated colon, although this is not a specific medical term. As with any organ, the colon can become diseased and its functioning disrupted. Available from (accessed October 2019).The colon is the last part of the large intestine where stool is formed and stored until it is passed out with a bowel movement. Available from (accessed October 2019).īMJ. Guidelines for the management of cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. Available from (accessed October 2019).Īssociation of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland (ACPGBI). Colorectal cancer: diagnosis and management clinical guidelines. National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE). ESMO-ESSO-ESTRO Clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow up for anal cancer. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at Glynne-Jones, PJ Nilson, C Aschele et al. Below is a sample of the sources used in our bowel cancer information.
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