The colon and rectum (2024)

FAQs

Where is colon cancer pain felt? ›

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.

The primary function of the rectum is to collect and hold your poop until it's time to release it. Your rectum relaxes and stretches to accommodate the waste as it gradually comes in from your colon. While holding it, your rectum absorbs the remaining water and electrolytes and further solidifies the waste.

The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon, is stored in the rectum, and leaves the body through the anus. The colon is part of the digestive system.

Ascending colon – runs up the right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the small intestine by a section of bowel called the caecum. Transverse colon – runs across the body from right to left, under the stomach. Descending colon – runs down the left side of the abdomen.

Pencil-thin stool is unusually long and thin, which can indicate there is a narrowing of the colon due to a cancerous tumor. Flat stool. Abnormally flattened or ribbon-like feces characterize flat stool. Tumors that change the shape of the colon or rectum can create this type of stool.

A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain. A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement.

What is fecal impaction? Fecal impaction is the result of severe constipation, when you're unable to regularly pass poop (stool or feces) and it backs up inside your large intestine (colon). Fecal impaction can also be defined by your inability to sense and respond to the presence of stool in your rectum.

Common benign (non-serious) causes — If you see a small amount of bright red blood on the toilet paper after wiping, on the outside of your stool, or in the toilet, this may be caused by hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. Both of these conditions are benign, and there are treatments that can help.

It's connected to your rectum, and it's the part of your body where fecal matter stays until you go to the bathroom. If you have a sigmoid problem, you're likely to feel pain in your lower abdomen. You may also have other symptoms like blood in your stool, loss of appetite, anemia, abdominal bloating, or fatigue.

The healthiest way to flush your colon is to drink more water, increase your fiber intake, and make regular time for physical exercise. Try to have three or more bowel movements a week. Talk with a doctor about other ways to prevent constipation and avoid the overuse of laxatives.

How to make a colon strong? ›

Eating the typical western diet rich in fats and sugar and low in fiber adds to inflammation, constipation, and pain that can trigger uncomfortable bowel diseases.

Constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can all be symptoms of colorectal cancer. But they can also be signs of other conditions, including Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and even a stomach virus.

Regular bowel movements are the top indicator of a healthy digestive tract. While every person is different, having a bowel movement daily or several times a week is typical. Abnormal bowel habits may indicate an underlying health condition.

Colon pain can feel like gas, bloating, or stomach pain. You may also feel tired, constipated, or have diarrhea. Various gastrointestinal disorders can cause colon pain. The colon is part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive tract.

The 3 main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), a change in bowel habit, such as more frequent, looser stools, and abdominal (tummy) pain. However, these symptoms are very common.

Gastrointestinal medical oncologist Kanwal Raghav, M.D., estimates that about 70% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed on the left side. “It's unclear why colon cancer starts in a particular location, although some explanations exist,” says Raghav.

The colon's winding path through the abdomen can mean that a person feels pain throughout this area of the body if they experience colon disruptions. However, it is also possible to feel pain only in a specific spot. Some people may also feel pain in the rectum, just above the anus.