Intestinal Obstruction—Colonic Diseases

Also called: Large intestine diseases

Your colon, also known as the large intestine, is part of your digestive system. It’s a long, hollow tube at the end of your digestive tract where your body makes and stores stool. Many disorders affect the colon’s ability to work properly. Some of these include

• Colorectal cancer
• Colonic polyps – extra tissue growing in the colon that can become cancerous
• Ulcerative colitis – ulcers of the colon and rectum
• Diverticulitis – inflammation or infection of pouches in the colon
• Irritable bowel syndrome – an uncomfortable condition causing abdominal cramping and other symptoms

Treatment for colonic diseases varies greatly depending on the disease and its severity. Treatment may involve diet, medicines and in some cases, surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Angiodysplasia of the colon (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Colitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Colonoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hirschsprung disease (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Intestinal ischemia and infarction (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Large bowel resection (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Lower GI Series – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Also called: Bowel obstruction, Intestinal volvulus, Paralytic ileus

An intestinal obstruction occurs when food or stool cannot move through the intestines. The obstruction can be complete or partial. There are many causes. The most common are adhesions, hernias, cancers, and certain medicines.

Symptoms include

• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Loud bowel sounds
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Inability to pass gas
• Constipation

A complete intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency. It often requires surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Intestinal obstruction (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Intestinal obstruction repair (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Intestinal or bowel obstruction – discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Intussusception – children (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Small bowel resection (Medical Encyclopedia)