Table of Contents
What does the sigmoid colon do?
sigmoid colon, a terminal section of the large intestine that connects the descending colon to the rectum; its function is to store fecal wastes until they are ready to leave the body. The sigmoid colon derives its name from the fact that it is curved in the form of an S (Greek sigma: σ).
What is the sigmoid colon in anatomy?
The sigmoid colon is an “S” shaped portion of the large intestine that begins in front of the pelvic brim as a continuation of the descending colon and becomes the rectum at the level of the third sacral vertebrae.
Is the sigmoid colon on the left side?
The colon, or large bowel, has three sides: the ascending colon (right side), the transverse colon, and the descending colon (left side). The left side of the colon has four sections: the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, the rectum, and the anus.
What are the problems with sigmoid?
There are many different conditions that can cause problems with the sigmoid colon, which include colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), colorectal cancer, fistulae, diverticular disease, and volvulus (twisting of the colon).
What causes pain in sigmoid colon?
ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. Crohn’s disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen. diverticulitis, which causes sigmoid colon pain.
What causes sigmoid colon pain?
What causes inflammation of the sigmoid colon?
Infection, loss of blood supply in the colon, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and invasion of the colon wall with collagen or lymphocytic white blood cells are all possible causes of an inflamed colon.
Why is my sigmoid colon inflamed?
Infections, poor blood supply, and parasites can all cause an inflamed colon. If you have an inflamed colon, you’ll likely have abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.
What irritates the sigmoid colon?
The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as: ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum. Crohn’s disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen.
How do you treat an inflamed sigmoid colon?
Treatment for inflamed colon
- anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids and aminosalicylates.
- immunosuppressants.
- antibiotics.
- anti-diarrheal medications.
- supplements, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D.
Can colon pain be felt in the back?
It’s possible for fecal impaction to cause low back pain. Fecal impaction occurs when a piece of dry stool is stuck in the colon or rectum. The pressure in the rectum or colon can result in pain radiating to the back or abdomen.
What is inflammation of the sigmoid colon?
Proctosigmoiditis. Inflammation involves the rectum and sigmoid colon — the lower end of the colon. Signs and symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, and an inability to move the bowels in spite of the urge to do so (tenesmus). Left-sided colitis.
Can a CT scan show inflammation of the colon?
CT is particularly valuable for detection and characterization of many inflammatory conditions of the colon, including appendicitis, epiploic appendagitis, diverticulitis, typhlitis, radiation colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis, graft-versus-host disease, infectious colitis, and pseudomembranous …
How is sigmoid colon treated?
How to treat colon pain
- Reduce your intake of certain foods. The first step in treating colon pain is to modify your diet to see if you can reduce inflammation and find relief.
- Adjust your lifestyle.
- Reconsider medications.
- Eat more fiber.
- Get more exercise.
- Surgery.
What are the symptoms of a swollen colon?
If you have an inflamed colon, you’ll likely have abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea….These symptoms can include:
- abdominal cramps and pain.
- appetite changes.
- bloody stool.
- diarrhea.
- fatigue.
- feeling the need for more frequent bowel movements.
- fever.
- unexplained weight loss.