How to recognize the symptoms of a sick colon

v Diseased colon” is a general term that refers to various conditions or disorders that can affect the colon (large intestine). These conditions can vary from minor and temporary problems to chronic and severe diseases.

Irritable bowel syndrome , inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis and diverticulitis , colon cancer, colon polyps, intestinal infections, ischemic colitis or celiac disease, each of these conditions actually means “sick colon”; that is why it is important to consult a doctor for a correct diagnosis and an adequate treatment plan if there are symptoms that suggest a problem in the colon.

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1. Sick colon, how many diseases, so many symptoms
2. Sick colon, severe conditions, deceptive signs

Sick colon, so many diseases, so many symptoms

The symptoms of a sick colon can vary depending on the specificity of the condition, but there are some common signs that can indicate problems in the large intestine.

Here are the main specific symptoms that could suggest a sick colon:

• abdominal pain: persistent or recurrent pain in the abdominal area, which can vary in intensity and location;
• changes in bowel habits: frequent or persistent diarrhea or constipation or difficulties in passing stool. Alternation between diarrhea and constipation.
• rectal bleeding: blood in the stool or visible bleeding in the rectum, which can be bright red or darker in color (melena);
• abnormal stools: ribbon-like stools, very thin stools or unusually colored stools (very dark or very light);
• bloating and flatulence: feeling of bloating or overflow in the abdomen, associated with excessive flatulence;
• sensation of incomplete evacuation: the feeling that the intestine is not completely emptied after defecation.

Sick colon, severe diseases, deceptive signs

But there are also very common symptoms found in many other conditions, which could also be associated with a sick colon.

• Fatigue and weakness

Fatigue and weakness can be manifestations of a sick colon. Colon health problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer or other digestive conditions, can affect the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, which can lead to fatigue and weakness. Inexplicable fatigue, general weakness or anemia , these can be caused by chronic blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract.

• Unexplained weight loss

Weight loss without an apparent reason can also be linked to digestive problems or malabsorption.

Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of colon problems, especially when accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms. This unintentional and unexplained weight loss can indicate serious problems affecting digestion, nutrient absorption or causing inflammation and metabolic stress.

Colon cancer can be signaled by unexplained weight loss when there is also rectal bleeding, persistent changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness, feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation.

Inflammatory bowel disease is also signaled by weight loss, if it is also accompanied by chronic diarrhea (sometimes with blood), abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, malabsorption of nutrients.

Infectious colitis has associated symptoms: severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, chills, dehydration.

Celiac disease also leads to weight loss and is also indicated by diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, malabsorption, anemia.

Severe diverticulitis manifests in addition to weight loss and abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, in chronic or severe cases.

Ischemic colitis also associates sudden and severe abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), fever with unintentional weight loss.

• Fever and chills

Fever and chills can also be signs of a sick colon in cases where there is inflammation, infection or other severe complications affecting the colon.

Here are some diseases in which fever and chills are common:

• diverticulitis with associated symptoms:namely abdominal pain (usually in the lower left part of the abdomen), constipation or diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting;
• infectious colitis, when there are other symptoms:diarrhea (often severe and sometimes bloody), fever, chills, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting;
• inflammatory bowel disease:also involves abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), weight loss, fatigue;
• intra-abdominal abscess:it is also associated with severe abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, high fever, chills, nausea and vomiting;
• toxic megacolon:a severe condition that includes severe abdominal pain, abdominal distension, tachycardia, weakness, confusion, severe diarrhea.
• Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can be signs of a diseased colon in certain situations, usually in cases where there is a severe or advanced problem that affects the colon and, implicitly, the entire gastrointestinal tract.

• Intestinal obstructioninvolves other signs, namely severe abdominal pain, bloating, severe constipation, the inability to eliminate intestinal gases and especially vomiting of fecal content, in severe cases.
• Ischemic colitisincludes associated symptoms, such as sudden and severe abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, diarrhea (sometimes bloody).
• Severe diverticulitisoccurs when it is also associated with abdominal pain, fever, sensitivity in the lower part of the abdomen.
• Inflammatory bowel diseasein severe phases occurs when there is also abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea (sometimes with blood), weight loss, fatigue, in the presence of an abscess or a fistula.
• Serious intestinal infectionsare associated with severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.
• Advanced colon canceralso associates symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain.