Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a condition that affects the large intestine. It may cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some individuals may experience constipation and some may have diarrhea. Others may go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does no harm to the intestines. Read more …..

Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. If these pouches are present, you have diverticulosis. This condition becomes more common among older individuals.  Roughly half of all people over age 60 have diverticulosis.  Doctors believe the primary cause of this disease is a low-fiber diet.

Most people having diverticulosis experience no symptoms. Diverticulosis may cause mild cramps, bloating, or constipation. A high-fiber diet and a mild pain reliever will often relieve symptoms associated with diverticulosis.

Should the diverticula pouches become inflamed or infected, you have diverticulitis. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, usually occurring on the left side. Other symptoms of infected diverticula are fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. In more severe cases, diverticulitis may lead to bleeding tears or blockage. Treatment focuses on treating the infection with antibiotics and resting the colon to minimize the probability of future problems. A serious case may require a hospital stay.

A polyp is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are benign and not considered dangerous, but some polyps may become cancerous. 

Anyone can have polyps, but certain people are more likely to develop polyps than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if you:

Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. When present, however, symptoms may include blood on your underwear or on toilet paper following a bowel movement, blood in your stool, and constipation or diarrhea lasting more than one week.

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is one of the disorders that fall within the category of inflammatory bowel disease. This disease can affect any area of the internal organs from the mouth to the anus.  It often attacks the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum.

Crohn’s disease seems to run in some families. It may occur in individuals of all ages, but is most often diagnosed in young adults. Common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and diarrhea. Bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, joint pain, skin problems, fever, intestinal blockage, and malnutrition may also be present among the list of symptoms.  Children having Crohn’s disease may experience growth problems.

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes ulcers to form in the lining of the rectum and colon. It is one of the disorders that fall within the category of inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed certain cells that line the colon.

Ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, but it usually attacks those between the ages of 15 and 30.  This disease tends to run in families. The most common symptoms are pain in the abdomen and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include anemia, severe exhaustion, loss of appetite, weight loss, bleeding from the rectum, sores on the skin, and joint pain. Children having ulcerative colitis may experience growth problems.

Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer.  In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women.

It is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age. You are also more likely to contract colorectal cancer if you have:

Symptoms may include blood in the stool, thin stools, a change in bowel habits, and general stomach discomfort.