- A polyp is a growth that projects (usually on a stalk) from the lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps can cause bleeding due to irritation or pressure and can become cancerous.
- Ulcerative colitis is the inflammation of the large bowel. It can be a mild or severe condition which may impact on a patient's quality of life due to the amount of irritation. Symptoms include acute episodes of bleeding and abdominal pain.
- Diverticulitis is the inflammation or infection in a pouch that forms in the wall of the large bowel. Severe pockets can lead to ulceration, bleeding, abdominal pain and perforation.
- Crohn's disease is a severe, chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It can affect any part of the small or large bowel. It causes inflammation, bleeding and abdominal pain.
- Bowel cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in any part of the bowel. Cancer is a silent disease that does not cause symptoms until it growslarge enough to cause pressure, ulceration, bleeding or obstruction. For this reason it is important not to ignore early symptoms.
All of these conditions can be detected early by a colonoscopy. Early diagnosis is important to be able to gain the best treatment options available.
There are several factors which have been identified as increasing an individual's risk of developing bowel disease.
1. Family history of ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, crohns disease or bowel cancer.
2. A poor diet that is high in fat and low in fibre.
3. Obesity
4. Smoking
5. Alcohol intake
6. Stress.
Type of symptoms that indicate bowel disease.
1. Ongoing episodes of unexplained abdominal pain.
2. Change in bowel habbit-constipation, frequency, urgency or bloody diarrhoea.
3. Weight loss, with some of above symptoms.
4. Unexplained fever, with some of above symptoms.
5. Anaemia, with some of the above symptoms.
Comments