LOWER GI TRACT

The Lower Gastrointestinal Tract: Colon and Rectum

The Lower Gastrointestinal Tract

Diarrhea and Constipation: Two sides of the same coin

Symptoms that can indicate a problem with the lower gastrointestinal tract include constipation, diarrhea, dark stool and

hemorrhoids. Many of these symptoms can also indicate a problem with another area of the digestive tract so it is important to get them checked.

 

Diarrhea and constipation can be thought of as two sides of the same coin. Both reflect problems with the speed at which digested food is traveling through the body. In one case it moves too fast and in the other it moves too slow.  Think of a highway during rush hour. Cars are speeding along and all of a sudden everyone comes to a complete stop. Just as the highway can experience both extremes, so too can your body exhibit both symptoms for one health problem.

 

Chronic diarrhea (occurring three or more times a day for 2 weeks or longer) can lead to dehydration (not to mention being very uncomfortable!). Diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, a virus, a parasite, food intolerances and reactions to medicines. Other, more serious conditions, can be behind chronic diarrhea. Because there are so many possible causes, it may be necessary to several different tests to determine what is at the root of the problem.

 

Constipation (defined as three or fewer bowel movements in a a week) is also a symptom with multiple causes. In most cases the cause is simple... you aren't drinking enough water or getting enough fiber and things are slowing down and drying out! If you are eating well and staying well hydrated then constipation, like diarrhea, can be a sign of something more serious. Constipation is a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, and even Colon Cancer.

Like a snowstorm in East Tennessee

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder in which both diarrhea and constipation can be symptoms. Others include bloating, cramping, gas and mucus in the stool. Because the symptoms for IBS resemble the symptoms for Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease and even Colon Cancer, it is often a matter of ruling out these disease in order to diagnose you with IBS. We know this is frustrating. Unfortunately, there is no single test for IBS. There is also no single cure for IBS; there are however, ways to control your symptoms. Learn what your triggers are (specific foods, stress) and avoid or limit them. Treat the diarrhea and constipation. Take an anti-cholinergic medication if needed to control the spasms. See below for additional resources.

 

IBD is like a highway with a visible accident (the inflammation). IBS has all the stops and starts but with the drivers wondering why.

 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD sounds a lot like IBS. Symptoms are similar although with IBD additional symptoms including fever, weight-loss, and joint pain can be present. The main difference is that when the colon is examined (see Colonoscopy) there is visible inflammation. Returning to the analogy of a highway during rush hour, IBD has a visible accident being cleared, complete with fire trucks and multiple tow trucks. IBS has all the stops and starts but with all the drivers wondering why.

 

IBD is typically one of two types, either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease. With ulcerative colitis only the colon is affected. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract. While both are serious, you could think of ulcerative colitis as confining the accidents to the main highway, whereas with Crohn's disease, it's like rush-hour on a snowy day -- accidents all over -- highway, on-ramp, side roads...and yet, some areas are perfectly fine. And like a snowstorm in East Tennessee, symptoms for ulcerative colitis may not flare up for months or even years. Just like trying to decide if you need a shovel or multiple bags of salt, having ulcerative colitis with infrequent symptoms, it can be hard to decide what is the best treatment.

This means that while the diagnosis and medications are similar, if surgery is ultimately recommended, ulcerative colitis can be cured while Crohn's disease can only alleviate some of the symptoms. You can close the highway but you can't close every road permanently.

Intermittent symptoms are like a snowstorm in East Tennessee. You aren't sure if you should buy a shovel or lots of salt


Colon Cancer Screening

As mentioned above, diarrhea and constipation can both be symptoms in colon cancer. Colon cancer screening is critical for anyone over the age of 50 and should be considered earlier if you have any high risk factors. To learn more about colon cancer screening please click here


Tips for better health:

  • Increase fiber
  • Increase water
  • Increase exercise
  • Decrease caffeine
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