Perforated Colon

A perforated colon is one that has a hole in the colon wall. The hole is referred to as a perforation because it allows colon material to seep out into the body. This is a dangerous medical situation that can cause infection throughout the body. In some instances a perforated colon will require immediate surgery to repair the perforation. Even if you do not have surgery there may be an extensive hospital stay to help combat the infection.

A perforated sigmoid colon can be the result of diverticulitis which is a painful disease of the colon. It is not known exactly why some people suffer from diverticulitis and others do not but routine cleansing of the entire colon will go a long way is helping keep the colon in great shape.

Doctors believe that the older you are the more your chances of getting a perforated sigmoid colon. This type of medical disorder usually occurs around age 50 and above and is a prominent problem in the elderly population. Complications of a perforated colon can become deadly if not treated properly. If the colon material seeps into the body infection can set up and spread throughout the body.

It is strange but you will rarely find people in Africa and Asia who suffer from a perforated colon. The majority of cases are found in people who live in the United States. It has been reported that using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can greatly contribute to the development of the condition. A diet of fast food and high fat is also known to be a major contributor.

Complications of a perforated colon could lead to death if not quickly treated. It is possible for the infection to move to the abdominal cavity and death could result unless the infection is aggressively treated with strong antibiotics. It is also possible for the part of the colon that is affected to attach to the bladder. This is an extremely painful occurrence that will usually require surgery.

A large part of people who develop a perforated colon will not know they have a problem because they will not experience symptoms. If they develop symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever the condition could rapidly progress to the dangerous point. Your doctor can do certain tests such as a blood test or a CT scan. Blood tests will likely show elevated white blood cells which is an indication of infection in the body.

Your doctor may also order a test known as a colonoscopy that allows him to look inside the colon for the location of the perforation. In the early stages your doctor may want to be conservative and treat with antibiotics and dietary changes. He may also order you to rest to avoid complications of a perforated colon. You will likely need to stick with a diet of liquids in order to give the colon a chance to heal. In severe cases the perforation may be too large to heal and surgery may be needed.

The best way to deal with a perforated colon is to try and prevent the condition. Keeping the colon clean is a great way to stay healthy and prevent many of the diseases and infections that come when the colon retains toxic fecal material.