Distended Colon

Most people never give their colon a second thought but there are actually a lot of things that can go wrong within your colon. A distended colon will take on the appearance of being bloated. You can get a picture in your mind if take a bicycle tube and inflate it with air. The tube gets bigger as you pump air into it and it gives you the appearance of being inflated. The same scenario is true with a distended colon. You may feel bloated and often you will look like you have gained weight. You will also probably feel very uncomfortable.

Distended colon causes include fecal matter that gets built up inside the colon. This does not happen overnight. Fecal matter slowly builds up by attaching to the inside of the colon. Often the fecal matter will harden and make it difficult for you to eliminate. You may notice that your stool is thin and difficult to eliminate. As a result your stomach will bloat and you will probably experience abdominal cramping. You will also find that the more you eat the more discomfort you will feel.

Other distended colon causes are poor eating habits. We live in a fast-paced world where the drive thru is quick and economical. It is fast to run through the drive thru on your way to work and pick up a biscuit. The problem is that quick biscuit is loaded with fat and processed flour. Several years of this type of eating could easily lead to a distended colon.

Distended colon treatment will probably include some counseling sessions with a dietician to determine what foods are causing the distention. You will learn that certain foods can trigger distention. You will probably be asked to keep a diary of the foods you eat so that your dietician can discuss with you the foods you need to avoid.

Distended colon treatment may also include prescription medication. Certain medications will help minimize the amount of gas in your abdomen. You may not have to take these medications indefinitely if you can change your eating habits and keep the gassy foods out of your diet.

Stress also plays a big role in colon health. People who suffer from extreme stress are more likely to develop a distended colon. People who suffer from Crohn’s disease will frequently develop symptoms of a distended colon. This condition is treated with medication but there are things that you can do to reduce the stress in your life. Eating right and daily exercise is a great way to reduce stress.

Another way to reduce the occurrence of a distended colon is the always keep the colon clean. This can be accomplished in a number of ways. Many companies now offer colon cleansers that can be used up to four times each year. These cleansers help flush the harmful bacteria out of the colon. The use of this type of program will not only clean the inside of the colon, it will also relieve the pressure of bloating. You will notice more energy and feel cleaner both inside and out.