This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Doctor Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
The colon is an extremely important organ, which plays a role in keeping waste and participating in the process of eliminating waste from the body. For a number of reasons, the function of the colon is affected leading to the appearance of many diseases.
1. The role of the rectum in the body
The rectum is an organ located in the abdomen, connecting the colon and the anal canal.
In men: the rectum is located behind the bladder, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland. The rectum is located in the center of the pelvic floor.
In women: the rectum is located in the uterus and vagina. Anterior is the cervix, the body of the uterus, and the vaginal vault. Behind the rectum is the part of the peritoneum of the rectum that attaches to the posterior wall of the vagina.
Food is contracted by the stomach and digested into a liquid that will be passed through the small intestine, followed by the colon and finally the rectum. The small intestine absorbs nutrients first. The bacteria present in the colon will then continue to break down the remaining fluid to separate the remaining minerals and vitamins, helping the body to absorb the maximum nutrients needed from food. The leftovers are substances that cannot be digested or are not useful to the body, which will be retained by the colon.
Here will take place the process of defecation to push waste out of the body. First, the colon will work to push waste from the colon down into the rectum. Connective nerves transmit information to the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex responds to information by creating an urge to defecate. At that time, the rectum works to push the waste out through the anal canal.
2. Common diseases of the colon
2.1 Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a condition in which the function of the colon is affected, causing the patient to feel discomfort in the rectum. Irritable bowel syndrome is also known by other names such as spastic colitis, functional colon disease, chronic colitis.
The disease is common in people who work in a stressful, tired, or anxious environment or who have irregular living habits, eat on time.
Common symptoms of chronic spastic colitis include:
Passing stools many times a day When having a bowel movement, sometimes there is constipation, sometimes the stool is loose, the stool is often not formed, broken There is a feeling of distention Abdominal pain, bloating, sometimes discomfort along the colonic frame A dull pain in the lower abdomen or along the colon. Pain that increases after eating or before having a bowel movement. Allergic to some foods: due to allergies, it is easy to have stomach pain, go out after eating sour, spicy, greasy foods, alcohol, beer, coffee... May have symptoms anorexia, loss of appetite, fatigue, poor sleep, or anger, ... are common symptoms of chronic spastic colitis.
2.2 Colorectal polyposis
Colon polyps is the medical term for neoplastic tissues created by excessive tissue proliferation as well as tumor growth and persists in the colonic lumen. In fact, most of these tumors are benign, but there will also be cases of malignancy or malignant transformation if not detected and treated promptly and properly.
The main cause of colorectal polyps is related to family factors or diet. People whose diets are high in fat, red meat, or low in fiber are more likely to develop the disease. In addition, the risk of the disease also occurs in people who smoke or are obese.
Colorectal polyps are a dangerous disease that can even develop into tumors. Therefore, endoscopic detection and treatment of polyps, prevention of colorectal cancer is essential. In which, lifestyle adjustments will help patients improve their condition, including a low-fat diet and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, ... Besides, you also need to maintain your body weight. as well as avoiding the use of stimulants such as tobacco and alcohol.
2.3 Colon cancer
Colon cancer, also known as colon cancer, is a common cancer in Vietnam as well as in the world.
Colon cancer is one of the gastrointestinal cancers with a good prognosis in case the disease is detected at an early stage or precancerous lesions.
Colon cancer can occur anywhere in the colon: sigmoid colon, descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon and cecum.
Causes of colon cancer include:
Colon polyps: An important cause of colon cancer. The higher the number of polyps, the higher the rate of cancer. Chronic colon diseases: Colon cancer can arise on lesions of diseases: chronic ulcerative colitis... Diet low in waste, high in fat and animal protein: This diet change the anaerobic bacteria in the colon, turning bile acids and cholesterol into carcinogens. Common symptoms of colon cancer include: Abdominal pain, digestive disorders, bloody stools, weight loss, anemia, fever.
To register for examination and treatment of common colorectal diseases at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
