Spastic colon is also known as irritable bowel syndrome. It is a condition in which the large and small intestine muscles have spontaneous spasms and contractions. The surveys indicate that this condition afflicts nearly 20% of the population around the world. Spastic colon is a chronic disorder most commonly seen in the people of Australia, America, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. The symptoms vary among individuals and the treatment differs depending on the condition.
Common Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of spastic colon include gas, cramping, diarrhea and constipation. Symptoms may worsen during menstrual periods, excess stress or by eating large amounts of fatty food. Continuous pain in the lower abdomen is also one of the symptoms of spastic colon. Sudden attacks may occur any time during the night or day and will disturb sleep. Vomiting may also occur due to the nausea.
Additional Signs of a Spastic Colon
When you have a spastic colon, another sign of the problem is that after you defecate you still feel that you have to go. You may also have severe cramping or abdominal pain that only feels better after you go to the bathroom. Some sufferers also have diarrhea at different times of the day and may have an urgent need to have a bowel movement.
Going to the Doctor
If you suspect you have the symptoms associated with spastic colon, see a physician who can properly diagnose you and create a treatment plan. While you could live with the symptoms without treatment, the abdominal pain, frequent bouts of diarrhea, and constipation can reduce your quality of life and need to be treated. The doctor can test you for the problem and make sure you are not suffering from something more serious, such as colon cancer. Additionally, she may be able to give you advice on reduce the symptoms through dietary changes and stress relief measures.
Reducing symptoms by medicines
Antispasmodic medicine can be prescribed if the symptom is related to pain. Loperamide helps the problem of diarrhea. Dicyclomine and Hyoscyamine can be used to relax the colon spasms. The symptoms may worsen if sedatives and tranquilizers are used to control anxiety and stress.
Dealing with Symptoms Safely
Some sufferers of spastic colon become dependent on laxatives to fight back against their constipation. Laxatives can be helpful when used rarely but overuse can cause weakness in the intestines which can lead to more serious health problems. Also, sufferers should avoid using anti-diarrhea medications to treat temporary bouts of diarrhea associated with spastic colon. Going back and forth between these treatments can do serious damage to your intestinal system. A physician can recommend a wiser and safer course of action.
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