COLORECTAL DISEASE

COLORECTAL DISEASE

The colon and rectum make up your large intestine and any medical conditions that affect this part of the body are known as colorectal disorders or diseases. The colon absorbs water from digested food and helps to process solid waste. The rectum is the final portion of the large intestine and expels the solid waste from the body.

Colorectal conditions can range from chronic constipation to rare but life-threatening colorectal diseases such as anal cancer.

Early detection and treatment of these colorectal disorders typically means a much better outcome but, even though they are very common, often patients do not seek medical help because they are too embarrassed.

COLORECTAL DISORDERS

Chronic constipation; if you have infrequent bowel movements (fewer than three bowel movements per week over a lengthy period of time), this is known as chronic constipation.

Chronic diarrhoea; while most of us may suffer from temporary diarrhoea at some point, long-term diarrhoea may be a sign of a more serious problem.

Faecal incontinence; loss of bowel control.

C. difficile diarrhoea or C. difficile colitis; Clostridium difficile is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea or severe inflammation of the colon. This can be challenging to treat.

Haemorrhoids; a very common problem – click here to read more on the treatment of haemorrhoids we offer at the Alan Woodward Surgical Group.

Anal cancer; a very rare form of cancer in the anal canal.

Colon cancer; also known as colorectal cancer, this is a much more common cancer that is found in the colon.

Rectal cancer; a slow-growing type of cancer that occurs in the rectum.

Colon polyps; while most of these small growths on the lining of the colon or rectum are benign, it is usually advised that they are removed because some may develop into colon cancer.

Diverticulitis; these are small bulging sacs on the lining of the large intestine which can become infected if faeces becomes trapped inside.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); this is a common condition that cause pain or cramping, bloating, diarrhoea or constipation. It can often be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); not to be confused with IBS, this is the name for medical conditions that cause long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. These include colitis and Crohn’s disease.

DIAGNOSIS OF COLORECTAL DISEASE

Surgeons at the Alan Woodward Surgical Group will use a range of tests to diagnose colorectal conditions.

Colonoscopy; this is an exam of the entire length of the colon and rectum using a camera attached to a thin tube known as a colonoscope. This is the gold standard for investigating colorectal disease.

CT colonography; this may be a suitable alternative to colonoscopy for some patients. If any abornalities are found, a colonoscopy is then recommended.

Tissue removal; if any suspicious areas are found during an internal investigation, small surgical instruments can be inserted through the colonoscope to take biopsies or remove polyps.

TREATMENT OF COLORECTAL DISEASE

Endoscopic mucosal resection; cancerous or suspicious tissue is removed from the colon through an endoscope.

Bowel resection; during this surgical procedure, the diseased part of the colon or rectum is removed. If the remaining portions of the large intestine cannot be reattached, a colostomy is performed and a stoma or artificial opening is created.

Haemorrhoid surgery; if lifestyle changes or medication has not alleviated the symptoms, the haemorrhoids can be surgically removed.

For more information or to make an appointment,
please call my secretary Ceri Hatcher on 01443 449277.

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