Colon Blockage

Colon blockage can be very uncomfortable and can lead to a serious illness if it is not treated right away. It is important to know how to recognize the symptoms and how to treat them. If left for too long a blockage can cause serious illness and could cause the colon to become necrotic.

What Is A Colon Blockage?

A colon blockage is the result of material getting stuck in the colon. Many times this can be the result of fecal build up in the colon, thereby restricting the passage through the colon. As a result a bolus of fecal material cannot get by the build up. As a result movement through the colon stops.

Symptoms Of A Colon Blockage

Symptoms of a blockage include abdominal cramping and bloating. Constipation can also occur as the blockage prevents the bowel from emptying. Hemorrhoids can develop as a result of pushing to evacuate the stuck stool. The blood supply to the colon can also be cut off by the impacted stool. This can lead to ischemia and a necrotic colon.

Why Does Blockage Occur?

One of the causes of colon blockage is poor diet. The colon becomes impacted due to hard and dry stool. This can be the result of a low fiber diet. Another cause can be age. As the body gets old, metabolism slows down and so does the productivity of the digestive system. As a result, feces move more slowly through the large intestine giving it too much time to absorb the water in the stool. This leads to a hard dry stool that is more likely to get caught up in the colon causing colon blockage. Other reasons for blockage include abuse of laxatives, dehydration, medications, laziness, dairy products or even pregnancy. Even previous illnesses of the colon or existing intestinal disorders can lead to colon blockage.

How Do I Treat The Blockage?

The best way to treat colon blockage is to get rid of the offending material. Usually, enemas can help alleviate the problem as they infuse the dried stool with water. As the stool absorbs the moisture it is able to move through the colon. Stool softeners can also help, as do medications that stimulate the movement of the colon. The movement of the colon helps to push the stool through the lower intestine.

Preventing Colon Blockage

Proper exercise and diet are large contributors to preventing blockage. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will help to keep the colon healthy. Abdominal exercises tone the muscles around the intestine promoting peristalsis. Finally, using a colon cleanse regularly will help rid the body of fecal matter build up. Colon cleansers are also a great way to help cure a blockage as they contain ingredients that literally scrape off fecal matter that is stuck in the colon.

A blocked colon can be very uncomfortable. Bloating, abdominal pain and constipation are all symptoms of a blocked colon. A proper diet, exercise and regular use of a colon cleanser can help to alleviate or prevent this problem.