How to relieve inflammation in the sigmoid colon. Where is the sigmoid colon located?

Everyone knows that feces are removed by the rectum, but not everyone carefully studies human physiology and has seen that the large and small parts of the intestine are separated by the S-shaped sigmoid colon. It is she who forms feces.

If the normal functioning of the intestines is disrupted, processed masses remain inside it for a long time, then the inflammatory process begins. The disease does not appear immediately, so the individual should know what inflammation of the sigmoid colon is, symptoms and treatment. When such a diagnosis is made, the patient is not always hospitalized.

The intestine has 2 sections: thin and thick. They are closely interrelated, but perform different functions. The small intestine digests food and breaks down complex carbohydrates into simplified components. The large intestine organizes the complete absorption of salt and water by the body.

The sigmoid colon is shaped like the letter S, its length can vary from 10 to 70 cm. It is located in the region of the left iliac fossa. Thanks to the movable mesenteric ligament, it can change position. For this reason, diagnosing inflammation of the sigmoid colon is complex and requires certain skills from the doctor. Primary pain sensations occur not only in the left side of the abdomen, but also in the right, in the center.

More often, inflammation immediately affects both the sigmoid colon and the colon, since the infection with feces penetrates into the underlying organs. The disease can develop against the background of the formation of anal fissures and hemorrhoids. According to statistics, representatives of the fair sex suffer more often from this disease. Age also matters. Most patients admitted with lesions of the sigmoid colon have crossed the age threshold of 40 years. For people over 60 years of age with chronic intestinal diseases, periodic attacks of inflammation of the sigmoid colon are normal in 60% of cases. “Strong” drugs are no longer prescribed to them; they only maintain the body’s condition at an acceptable level.

Causes of the disease

• All types of inflammation of the rectum: proctitis, anal fissures.
• Dilation of veins in the soft tissues of the intestines: varicose veins, hemorrhoids, thrombosis.
• Ischemia of the colon.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Stagnant masses in the intestines.
• Frequent constipation.
• Intestinal infections.
• Pancreatic diseases.
• Severe food allergies.
• Mechanical injuries in the abdominal area.
• Consequences of surgical operations.
• Ulcerative colitis.

It must be remembered that the exact cause of inflammation is not determined.

Main types of inflammatory process

Inflammation of the sigmoid colon is called sigmoiditis. It occurs in an acute form, quickly develops into a chronic form, manifesting itself in the form of relapses. Inflammation occurs in different ways, it all depends on the degree of damage to the soft tissues.

Types of damage:

• Catarrhal. Only the top layer of skin is damaged; it is restored quite quickly and painlessly.
• Erosive. The next stage of inflammation. Erosion forms on damaged tissues.
• Ulcerative. Erosion develops into deep ulcers.

Severe sigmoiditis develops into perisigmoiditis. The sigmoid colon becomes immobile, less elastic, and adhesions appear.

Signs of the disease:

• Cramping pain in the abdominal area.
• Periodic nausea, vomiting.
• Increased gas formation.
• Diarrhea.
• Constant desire to go to the toilet in a big way.
• Unpleasant odor of stool, possible impurities in the form of pus or blood.
• Increased body temperature.
• Weakness.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms can also appear in different ways. Main symptoms:

• The nature of the pain is paroxysmal. In most cases, it can occur on the left side of the abdomen. The sigmoid colon has an S shape, it has a long mesentery, pain can occur in the right side of the abdomen or in the area of ​​the diaphragm. The pain intensifies when the individual lies down and tries to raise his legs. Seizures begin when trying to go to the toilet, during sudden movements, or strong shaking.
• Abnormal stool. During the inflammatory process, the patient suffers from diarrhea. Bowel movements are frequent and painful. If the disease is not treated, the stool will contain pus or blood and have an unpleasant odor.
• Deterioration of the body's condition. A person constantly experiences weakness, loses weight, sleeps poorly, and becomes dizzy.

Diagnostics

Only the attending physician can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Self-medication can lead to irreversible consequences. The patient must be examined by a number of specialists - from a therapist to a gastroenterologist. This disease can be easily confused with appendicitis, cholera, dysentery, dysbacteriosis, paraproctitis, and ulcerative colitis.

At the first appointment, the doctor will interview the patient in detail and examine him. The abdominal area is examined by palpation. If inflammation has formed in the area of ​​the S-gut, then there will be compaction of the soft tissues, and upon examination the patient will feel pain.

If sigmoiditis is suspected, the doctor prescribes an extensive blood and stool test, microscopic examination, and biochemical analysis of stool.

X-ray of the intestine can accurately show changes in the tissues of the intestine, the rigidity of its walls, and the degree of patency.

Using sigmoidoscopy, the doctor assesses how badly the tissue is damaged and how quickly the disease progresses. If the walls are destroyed, inflammation has spread to the entire organ, then a biopsy is prescribed. Women of reproductive age are referred for an ultrasound of the uterus to exclude ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis. These diseases have similar symptoms.

Treatment methods

Before starting to treat a patient, he must undergo a complete examination. The number of procedures and medications will directly depend on the severity of organ damage. It is imperative to exclude similarly occurring pathologies.

If the main cause of the pathology is infection, then the treatment process necessarily includes antibiotics. Before starting treatment, the patient needs to undergo a culture test. It will show the level of sensitivity of the body to antibacterial medications. The most commonly prescribed are Biseptol, Furazolidone, Tetracycline, Sulfadimethoxine.

If the cause of inflammation is dysbacteriosis, then you need to take a course of probiotics: Linex, Hilak forte, Bifidobacterin. These drugs can also be used during antibiotic treatment.

If diarrhea does not stop for a long time, then Smecta and Neosmectin are prescribed, and Regidron solution is prescribed daily. It normalizes the amount of electrolytes in the body and prevents dehydration.

To improve the general condition of the body, doctors recommend taking a course of vitamins Alphabet and Vitrum.

To combat pain and spasms, take Spazmalgon, Baralgin.

If sigmoiditis is catarrhal, then it is necessary to cleanse the intestines several times a week using enemas with chamomile infusion. To restore soft tissue, immediately after a cleansing enema, suppositories with the addition of sea buckthorn oil, solcoseryl, Actovegin, and methyluracil are placed in the intestine.

Therapeutic diet

Treatment will be effective only if you follow a special balanced diet. The attending physician should tell you about it in detail. Its main feature is to normalize digestion and eliminate constipation and diarrhea.

During an exacerbation, with severe diarrhea, therapeutic fasting is prescribed for 1 to 3 days, the use of Regidron solution is allowed, you can drink unsweetened tea and herbal decoctions. If the inflammation goes away, then you can eat according to list 4b and 4c, the method is the same.

Allowed foods:

• Crackers from black or white bread.
• Steamed meat: chicken, veal, rabbit. You can cook cutlets, meatballs, add a little rice to the minced meat.
• Soups with lean meat, fish broths are allowed.
• Low-fat steamed fish.
• Soft-boiled egg.
• Steamed omelette.
• Low-calorie cottage cheese.
• Puree porridge on water.
• Green tea, coffee, decoctions.

Unauthorized products:

• Butter buns with sugar.
• Fatty meats, all types of lard, sausages, sausages.
• Soups with milk.
• Pasta.
• Canned food.
• Fatty fish.
• Hard-boiled eggs.
• Fried eggs.
• Fresh vegetables.
• All types of oil.
• Milk.
• Fermented foods with high fat content.
• Sweets, honey

The main thing when following a diet with an affected sigmoid colon is to saturate the body with protein and electrolytes. It is better to eat fractionally, in small portions, up to 6-7 times a day.

The System 4 diet excludes the consumption of fats, carbohydrates, and salts. When health improves, a person is transferred to 4b and 4c; fats and carbohydrates can be consumed in standard quantities. But all food must be pureed and at a comfortable temperature.

The patient is prohibited from consuming foods that provoke fermentation inside the intestines, for example, mushrooms and fatty meats. If the patient’s condition is stable and good, then you can deviate a little from the diet, but do not abuse smoked, spicy, fried, seasonings, spices. Despite the improvements, the patient must carefully monitor his diet and general condition of the body. Eat foods rich in fiber. If there is a disturbance in the digestive process, then you need to immediately return to the diet. Standard foods should be introduced gradually, monitoring even the slightest reaction of the body to the innovation.

Traditional medicine treatment methods

Traditional medicine includes many recipes for restoring the intestines, but all of them can be considered as additional measures to influence the disease. Before starting treatment, you must consult with your doctor, because he is the one who tells you what inflammation of the sigmoid colon is, its symptoms and treatment.

The fight against the inflammatory process is much more successful if you take healing infusions.

1. To quickly relieve inflammation, you can prepare the following infusion. For preparation you will need: St. John's wort, mint, sage in equal proportions. For 10 grams of composition you need 300 ml of boiling water. Leave until completely cool, strain. Take 100 grams 3 times a day before meals.
2. You can prepare an infusion using a similar recipe with ingredients such as nettle, mint, and motherwort. Take 75 grams, 3 times a day. Course – 21 days. Effective against fermentation and rotting.
3. You can fight pathology by taking an infusion of dill, rose hips, chamomile, celandine, and plantain. Mix in equal proportions. For 5 spoons you need a liter of water. Leave for 6 hours. Take 3 spoons immediately before meals, but no more than 6 times in 24 hours. Course – 28-30 days.

The inflamed intestine can be treated with microenemas. Chamomile, sage, and calendula are suitable for their preparation. The infusion is administered using a standard syringe, the volume is at least 150 ml. Before the procedure, the patient must relax completely; the liquid must be at a comfortable temperature for the body. The best time for the procedure is evening. During an exacerbation, such enemas are recommended daily, the course is 30 days.

Alder effectively relieves inflammation. The cones are crushed to a powder, you need 20-25 grams, pour 300 ml of boiling water. Simmer in a water bath for 15-20 minutes. Cool, strain, take 200 ml 2-4 times a day.

Conclusion

Inflammation of the sigmoid colon is a rather complex pathology, especially if the soft tissues are deformed, affected by erosions and ulcers. If you have the slightest problem with your intestines, you should immediately consult a doctor and get tested. Self-medication is excluded.

But, like other organs, the sigmoid colon is susceptible to a variety of diseases. Taking into account the importance of this part of the intestine, it is important to be able to detect a dangerous disease in time. To do this, it is important to know where the sigmoid colon is and how it hurts.

Location

The location of the sigmoid colon is the same in all people, although minor anatomical differences may occur. This section of the intestine is connected at different ends to other parts of this organ. The colon begins at one end of the sigmoid colon and the rectum at the other.

Its location is the left side of the retroperitoneum (typical location). In women, this section is located directly behind the uterus. In men, it is located in the area behind the bladder. This is a fairly large section of the intestine. Its length in humans sometimes exceeds sixty-eight centimeters, that is, more than half a meter. Its normal diameter is up to four centimeters.

Absorption of nutrients occurs in this section. Most of the vitamins and water entering the body are absorbed here. Next, these substances are distributed to other human tissues and organs. Fecal masses are also formed here, which then enter the rectal area.

It should be noted that in some diseases, abnormal expansion of the sigmoid colon and an increase in its diameter may occur.

Above are the dimensions of this section of the intestine, characteristic of the anatomy of healthy people.

Painful sensations and their causes

Pain in the sigmoid colon is a sign that there is a malfunction in the functioning of the organ. It never occurs without a reason. In most cases, pain is the first sign of inflammation of the sigmoid colon. They may also indicate that a person has begun to develop a serious illness or pathology. Therefore, pain plays the role of a kind of signal, notifying a person that it is time to see a specialist. Only he will be able to examine the intestines and make an accurate diagnosis.

Among the most common reasons for the spread of pain in this area are the following:

• Sigmoiditis. What it is? This is a type of colitis. Sigmoiditis is characterized by severe pain in the abdominal area. The pain may subside or intensify;
• diverticulosis. Diverticulosis refers to a violation of the process of peristalsis in this part of the intestine. When the wave-like contractions of the walls of the sigmoid colon weaken/intensify (this process is called peristalsis), the passage of feces to other parts of the intestine becomes difficult. As a result, the department cannot perform its functions normally, which causes pain, colic, and increased gas formation;
• cancer. Due to the occurrence of tumors in the sigmoid colon, feces cannot pass further through the organ, which leads to intestinal obstruction, accompanied by severe pain and nausea. Metastases occur slowly, so symptoms of a problem do not appear immediately;
• dolichosigma. Pathology consisting in an increase in size of the sigmoid colon. It may be congenital, although an increase is possible during life. If pathology is detected, conservative treatment is carried out. Surgery is rarely used.

Sigmoiditis

Most often, problems with the sigmoid colon manifest as inflammation. Symptoms and treatment of sigmoiditis depend on the form of the disease, of which there are two:

The acute form of inflammation appears suddenly and is accompanied by a large number of symptoms. The main one is acute pain. Moreover, sometimes they reach such intensity that the patient needs to carry out a differential diagnosis in order to check all the organs located near the epicenter of the pain and establish its source. In addition to acute pain in the left side of the abdomen, the acute form of sigmoiditis is accompanied by:

• loose stools;
• the presence of pus in the stool and blood;
• tensems;
• nausea;
• vomiting that does not lead to relief;
• fever.

Not all of the above symptoms of the disease appear simultaneously. Some of them may be completely absent or mild. Chronic sigmoiditis causes the following symptoms:

• pain during and after bowel movements;
• diarrhea alternating with constipation;
• bloating;
• frequent belching;
• vomit.

In the case of a prolonged course of the disease (due to lack or ineffective treatment), a process of fusion may begin, during which the sigmoid colon will gradually fuse with the organs surrounding it.

As a result, the patient may feel weak, lose weight, and his quality of life will deteriorate significantly. In addition, advanced disease provokes the occurrence of ulcers.

To treat catarrhal sigmoiditis, medications with antispasmodic, sedative and antibacterial effects are used. Enveloping agents are widely used. Drugs that have a local effect on the disease (suppositories) are also used. The patient is prescribed a special diet and bed rest.

Today there are many good modern drugs for the treatment of sigmoiditis. Specific means and treatment regimens depend on the condition of the patient, his body, the severity of the disease and the type of inflammation. For chronic ulcerative sigmoiditis, anti-inflammatory drugs (Salofalk, Sulfasalazine) are prescribed. In the absence of ulcers, the goal of therapy is to restore the normal microflora of the organ. For this purpose, antibacterial agents (Biseptol) and antiseptics (Intetrix) are used.

The patient's condition can be improved using folk remedies. For this, infusions based on mint, sage, caraway, alder, rose hips and other plants are used.

Diverticulosis

The reasons for the development of the disease most often lie in age-related changes in the body. More than thirty percent of the population over fifty years of age suffer from peristalsis disorders. This disease is rare among younger people. Due to disturbances in peristalsis, areas appear in the sigmoid intestine that are subject to strong intraluminal pressure. This process is accompanied by hypertrophy of the longitudinal and transverse muscles. As a result, tissue circulation is disrupted and it becomes difficult to push feces through the intestines.

Treatment for diverticulosis must begin immediately after identifying the first signs of the disease. But, since it often remains asymptomatic for a long time, this is not easy to do. Often the disease is discovered during outside research. But with further progress of the disease, the signs become more and more obvious. Symptoms of the disease include:

• pain in the lower abdomen. After defecation, they may disappear, which is why patients often do not turn to a specialist with the problem;
• frequent constipation lasting a long period of time;
• flatulence;
• bloating (observed on the left side);
• feeling of heaviness in the left side of the abdomen. It usually goes away after a bowel movement.

Long-term lack of treatment for advanced forms of diverticulosis can lead to the following complications:

• bleeding in the intestines;
• peritonitis;
• abscess;
• intestinal obstruction.

The doctor will determine how to treat the disease. Typically, antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin), antispasmodic drugs (No-shpa, Drotaverine), laxatives (Duphalac), enzymes that improve digestion (for example, Mezim) and agents that promote recovery are used to treat the disease intestinal microflora (Linex).

If the disease is in an early stage of development, it can be treated at home. To do this, it is enough to eat right and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.

Sigmoid colon cancer

Cancer of the sigmoid colon in most cases occurs between the ages of forty and fifty years. As mentioned earlier, the disease progresses slowly, so for a long time the patient may not be aware of the presence of a problem. The presence of abdominal pain, involuntary tension of the abdominal muscles, bloating in the right area of ​​the abdomen are symptoms indicating the development of cancer that cannot be treated with drugs.

If a tumor is detected in the sigmoid colon, surgery is performed. Surgical method is the only effective way to treat this disease.

Chemotherapy is rarely performed due to a large number of contraindications. In addition, after cancer is detected, the patient should immediately stop taking painkillers, antibiotics and thermal procedures. The type of surgical intervention depends on the number and size of formations:

1. A minimally invasive operation involves inserting a sigmoidoscope into the anus. Used for a small number of tumors in the distal intestine;
2. The classic operation involves removing part of the sigmoid colon. In especially severe cases, surgeons have to cut out the entire intestine.

Thus, the sigmoid intestine is quite large in size and is easily palpated. Serious diseases often cause pain in the sigmoid colon. Where this intestine is located is described above. It is important not to confuse pain in the sigmoid region with pain in other organs. Often pain is a sign of the development of the disease. The most common disease associated with the sigmoid colon is sigmoiditis. Diverticulosis is less common. Lack of therapy can lead to the development of tumors in this organ.

Treatment of diseases associated with the sigmoid colon involves taking antibiotics, antiseptics, and antispasmodics. If you notice symptoms of one of the diseases described above, you should immediately consult a doctor. He will examine the patient and make an accurate diagnosis. Segmental colon cancer can only be treated surgically. Chemotherapy is rarely used.

Intestinal spasm - treatment, symptoms and causes

What is intestinal spasm

Intestinal spasm is a rapid and prolonged muscle contraction, characterized by a delay in the relaxation phase. Intestinal spasms are a symptom of many gastrointestinal diseases. It can occur as a result of colitis, enterocolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, neurosis, overeating, poisoning, dysentery, rotavirus infection, intestinal obstruction, etc.

Intestinal spasm is accompanied by unstable stools, when, after diarrhea, difficulties suddenly begin with bowel movements, pain in the abdomen, often in the lower part, flatulence, etc.

Causes of intestinal spasm

Intestinal spasm occurs in cases of excessive intestinal irritation, which can be caused by the following agents:

In some cases, intestinal spasms can be caused by neuropsychiatric disorders, often leading to loose stools.

Symptoms of intestinal spasm

The spasm may also be accompanied by diarrhea or lead to constipation. Flatulence, severe belching and nausea are also typical. Not good at all when it comes to vomiting.

It is undesirable to bring the process to a chronic state. But if suddenly this has already happened, then all these symptoms will be supplemented by severe headache, chills and cold, unpleasant sweating.

Symptoms may be aggravated by intestinal obstruction or thrombosis of small vessels. At this stage of the disease, the spasm will no longer be indicated by pain in a clearly defined area, but the pain will expand over the entire area of ​​the peritoneum. The abdomen will become very hard, and palpation will only increase the pain. Patients also complain of a feeling of fullness in the intestines that does not leave even after visiting the toilet. More often there is a desire to visit the restroom, which does not ultimately lead to defecation.

Treatment of intestinal spasm

The following methods will help relieve pain during intestinal spasms:

1. Antispasmodic and painkillers are prescribed:
   • No-shpa;
   • Papaverine;
   • Baralgin;
   • Spasmalgon.
2. Physiotherapeutic method:
   • physiotherapy;
   • cold rubdowns;
   • cold shower, dousing the stomach;
   • massage.
3. Psychotherapeutic method: talk therapy or hypnotherapy is performed.
4. Dietary method: the following foods should be included in the daily diet:
   • black bread;
   • buckwheat porridge;
   • vegetable soups;
   • peas;
   • mushrooms;
   • mashed potatoes;
   • White bread;
   • lean meat and fish;
   • plums, prunes, figs, apples, cucumbers, turnips, beets, cabbage;
   • kefir, kumiss, yogurt.
5. Surgical method: if all of the above methods do not help, then surgery is possible.

How to relieve intestinal spasms

You can relieve spasms with antispasmodics (drotaverine, no-spa, etc.). A herbal decoction helps (valerian, mint, calamus, chamomile with honey). Do a cleansing enema, you can use herbs. Drink a mixture of carrot and spinach juices every day. Breathing exercises for the abdomen have a good effect.

Folk remedies for intestinal spasms

You can relieve and eliminate intestinal spasms using the following traditional medicine:

• drink a decoction of blueberries, gooseberries, plums and blackcurrant leaves brewed in equal proportions;
• soak the birch mushroom for 4 hours, then crush it, pour the resulting mass with warm water and leave for 2 days, then filter and drink 6 times a day before meals;
• drink 1 tbsp once every 2 hours. vegetable oil and immediately after that - a few sips of mint or chamomile decoction;
• pour wormwood (70 g) with spring water and leave for a day, then boil the mixture and filter; sprinkle the resulting broth with granulated sugar (350 g) - you can replace it with honey, boil; take the product 4 times a day, a teaspoon;
• take equal parts of chopped meadowsweet, St. John's wort, walnut partitions and nettle, bring to a boil and leave covered to cool to room temperature. Drink 1/2 glass every hour.

Intestinal spasm in children

Intestinal spasms in children occur more often or less frequently if they suffer from certain diseases or the body is in a pathological condition.

Question: Hello! This morning there were sharp cramps in the lower abdomen in the intestines and rectum, accompanied by severe flatulence. Even straightening up was painful. After using the toilet (painful due to cramps, but the stool is absolutely normal), 2 tablets of espumisan and 1 no-shpa, I lay down, the cramps went away, the abdominal muscles more or less relaxed. Is it normal for cramps to leave painful discomfort for several days?

Sigmoid colon and its diseases

The sigmoid colon is a section of the large intestine that begins at the upper aperture of the small pelvis and passes into the rectum. The department was named this way because of its unusual shape, similar to sigma - a Greek letter. In general, the intestine is usually located in the left region of the abdomen, but it happens that its bends reach the midline or right hypochondrium.

The sigmoid colon plays an important role in the process of digesting food. It is in this department that a significant amount of water is absorbed, which is then distributed throughout various systems of the body. In addition, feces continue to harden here, which subsequently pass into the rectum and are excreted from the body through it. If the sigmoid colon is exposed to any diseases, serious disturbances occur in the functioning of the entire intestine and even neighboring organs.

This pathology is one of the types of colitis, characterized by inflammation of the intestine, which can be acute or chronic. In the first case, symptoms include sharp pain in the iliac region, noticeable changes in the intensity of the stool and its color. In the second case, signs of inflammation are manifested by painful sensations during bowel movements, alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, loud rumbling in the abdomen, nausea, and belching. Ultimately, if left untreated, the sigmoid colon begins to fuse with neighboring organs, which causes a person to lose weight, become weak, and generally decrease their quality of life. Treatment is based on adherence to a strict diet and drug therapy, which involves taking antibacterial, sedative, and antispasmodic medications.

This pathology is based on processes occurring as a result of impaired peristalsis. As a result, areas with increased intraluminal pressure are formed in the intestine. In this case, the transverse and longitudinal muscles of the sigmoid colon are deformed, and this leads to disturbances in the circulatory tissues and the pushing of chyme through the intestines. Diverticulosis at a young age is a relatively rare occurrence, but by the age of fifty the frequency of its development increases greatly. Symptoms include spasm of the sigmoid colon, flatulence, stool disorders, a feeling of bloating, and colic. If left untreated, the disease can lead to purulent peritonitis, bleeding, and fistulas. Therapy includes taking antibiotics and following a diet.

It also happens that the sigmoid colon undergoes the development of malignant formation. Abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, involuntary muscle spasms are the main signs of such a lesion. It is worth noting that the tumor develops slowly and is often removed surgically. Before choosing a treatment method, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive examination aimed at identifying the size of the tumor and determining the exact location of its location. The sigmoid colon can be affected by some other diseases, but this happens quite rarely.

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon are pathological protrusions of its wall, which are formed as a result of degenerative processes in the tissues. The disease may be asymptomatic or manifested by abdominal pain, bowel dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea), flatulence, bleeding, and signs of inflammation. Diagnosis is carried out using colonoscopy and irrigoscopy, laboratory tests are of auxiliary importance. Intestinal motor function is assessed by manometry. Therapy is conservative, aimed at regulating bowel movements and combating complications. If it is ineffective, surgical treatment is indicated.

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon are one of the manifestations of diverticulosis of the large intestine, which is characterized by the presence of pathological protrusions in the walls of the sigmoid colon, resulting from degenerative processes, impaired motility and chronic constipation. This is one of the most common diseases of the large intestine. Diverticulosis is diagnosed in almost every tenth resident of developed countries. Approximately one third of cases are due to sigmoid colon diverticula. Another 10-13% is occupied by combined pathology, when the process extends to both the sigmoid and descending colon. It should be noted that only 20% of patients ultimately develop symptoms; in all others, sigmoid diverticula are found incidentally or are not diagnosed intravitally. The problem is relevant for those countries where the diet is very low in high-fiber foods, and less relevant for countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Proctologists treat diverticulosis.

Causes of diverticula of the sigmoid colon

There are three main pathophysiological causes of diverticula of the sigmoid colon: dystrophic changes in the intestinal walls, impaired peristalsis, and vascular pathologies. An increase in pressure inside the intestines due to stagnation of feces also plays a significant role. In most cases, all these factors act in combination.

Tissue dystrophy (muscular apparatus, mucous and submucosal layer) occurs in old age or due to congenital weakness of connective tissue due to impaired collagen synthesis. In middle-aged people, changes in peristalsis come to the fore, which are manifested by incoordination of smooth muscle movements in the intestinal walls and spasms. This leads to increased pressure inside the intestines and stagnation of feces. As a result, the muscle fibers are separated and diverticula of the sigmoid colon are formed.

Vascular disorders are added to the above factors. Constant muscle spasm leads to slower blood circulation and stagnation of blood in the capillaries and veins of the intestinal wall. In addition, the arteries can be affected by atherosclerosis. Trophism is disrupted, which further aggravates degenerative processes in tissues and ultimately leads to the formation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon.

The structure of this section of the intestine is important in the development of diverticula of the sigmoid colon. The muscle layer of the large intestine is uneven; it runs along its entire length in the form of three stripes (shadows). Veins and arteries pass through it in many places, which causes the formation of zones in the intestinal walls that are most susceptible to negative influences and increased pressure inside its cavity. Protrusions also occur due to numerous haustra in the sigmoid colon. Poor nutrition provokes constipation and stagnation of feces, which is an additional factor in the stretching and weakening of the walls and the formation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon.

According to the clinical course, diverticula of the sigmoid colon are divided into those occurring without symptoms, with severe clinical symptoms and with complications (diverticulitis, infiltrates and intestinal abscesses, bleeding, intestinal fistulas and perforations, peritonitis). According to the morphological structure, diverticula of the sigmoid colon are divided into true and false. True diverticula are protrusions in which all layers of the intestinal wall (muscular, mucosal and submucosal) are involved. With a false diverticulum, only the mucous membrane protrudes.

Symptoms of sigmoid colon diverticula

In most patients, diverticula of the sigmoid colon do not manifest themselves in any way. A person may not know about his problem for years until a complication arises, or he turns to a proctologist in connection with another pathology. A fifth of patients complain of periodic abdominal pain of the colic type. The pain is blurred or localized in the left iliac region; upon palpation, the abdominal wall is not tense. The pain syndrome can go away on its own, sometimes relief occurs after bowel movement. In addition, there is bloating, constant constipation, which is periodically replaced by diarrhea. All these symptoms fit into the clinical picture of irritable bowel syndrome, which makes diagnosis much more difficult.

Symptoms change and become more pronounced when complications occur. The most common of these is diverticulitis, or inflammation of the diverticula of the sigmoid colon. It occurs due to stagnation of feces in the intestinal lumen and in the diverticulum itself, the action of intestinal flora and increased permeability of the weakened walls of the sigmoid colon. Abdominal pain intensifies, its localization is often uncertain. On palpation, there is some tension in the anterior abdominal wall and increased pain in the left iliac region. The patient's temperature rises and symptoms of intoxication appear.

The further course of the disease can lead to the formation of an infiltrate. Inflammation spreads to the mesentery, omentum and surrounding tissues. On palpation, a painful lump with limited mobility is felt in the left lower abdomen. An abscess may form at the site of the infiltration. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply, the temperature rises to high levels, the fever is hectic in nature with large daily fluctuations. On palpation, strong local tension in the abdominal wall and sharp pain are noted.

Perforation or perforation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon is the most severe complication. The process can develop against the background of diverculitis or without its signs. Patients complain of severe pain, weakness, and fever. The consequence of perforation is always peritonitis or retroperitoneal phlegmon (if perforation of the sigmoid colon diverticulum occurs in its mesentery). The patient's condition is severe, weakness, fever are noted, and symptoms of an acute abdomen are observed. If a perforation hole opens into a hollow organ or onto the surface of the skin of the abdomen, a fistula is formed. Most often, fistulas open into the lumen of the small intestine, bladder, and less often into the lumen of the vagina.

Violation of the integrity of the vessels of the intestinal wall leads to open bleeding. It may be the first and only symptom of sigmoid colon diverticula. Blood appears in the stool; it hardly mixes with the feces and does not change its color. Bleeding is rarely profuse, but can be repeated, since lumps of feces constantly injure the intestinal wall. Frequent bleeding ultimately leads to anemia.

Diagnosis of diverticula of the sigmoid colon

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon can be identified using endoscopic examinations. First of all, irrigoscopy is performed - an X-ray examination of the large intestine after a barium enema. In proctology, this technique is considered one of the most informative for diagnosing diverticula of the sigmoid colon, since it allows you to see protrusions of the intestinal wall, measure their size, assess the mobility of the sigmoid colon, the tone of the walls and the size of the lumen. To improve the result, the study is done in several projections.

Colonoscopy is performed after receiving the results of irrigoscopy, since during this study there is a danger of damage and perforation of the diverticula of the sigmoid colon. The method allows you to assess the condition of the intestinal walls and diverticula, clarify the size of the protrusion, identify inflammatory changes and areas of bleeding. If necessary, a biopsy can be done. If the patient has severe intestinal motor disturbances, manometry is performed.

Laboratory methods are of auxiliary value; they are used to diagnose complications. With diverticulitis, a general blood test can detect leukocytosis with a shift in the blood count to the left, and an increase in ESR. Bleeding leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells and a decrease in hemoglobin levels. Minor blood loss due to damage to the vessels of the diverticula of the sigmoid colon can be detected using a stool occult blood test.

Diverticula of the sigmoid colon are differentiated from a number of diseases. It is necessary to exclude cancer, in which bleeding is often observed (the malignant process leads to severe anemia and weight loss). You should also distinguish between diverticula of the sigmoid colon and Crohn's disease - this disease is characterized by diarrhea with blood and mucus, the process extends to the entire intestine, including the rectum. Ischemic colitis occurs suddenly and occurs with more severe and severe symptoms.

Treatment of sigmoid colon diverticula

The main therapeutic measure for uncomplicated diverticula of the sigmoid colon is the normalization of stool and intestinal activity. Patients are prescribed a diet high in fiber. If the diet does not work, fiber supplements and laxatives are added. To regulate peristalsis, antispasmodics (drotaverine) and prokinetics (domperidone, itopridium hydrochloride) are used. If necessary, it is recommended to take enzyme preparations.

Diverticulitis requires treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics: fluoroquinolones, 8-hydroxyquinolone derivatives. Additionally, detoxification therapy is carried out. For bleeding, drugs that increase blood clotting are prescribed. Surgical intervention is necessary for perforation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon, formation of fistulas, abscesses, and peritonitis. Planned operations are performed for multiple diverticula of the sigmoid colon. The essence of the intervention is excision of the affected area - resection of the sigmoid colon.

Prognosis and prevention of diverticula of the sigmoid colon

You can avoid the formation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon by adhering to proper nutrition: this disease practically does not occur in those countries where people mainly eat vegetables, fruits and cereals. The diet should consist of foods rich in fiber. First of all, you need porridge (oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat), fruits, raw and boiled vegetables. You should also pay more attention to moderate exercise.

Due to the fact that 80% of patients with diverticula of the sigmoid colon are asymptomatic, the prognosis for this disease is quite favorable. It worsens with age, as atrophic changes in the intestinal walls begin to progress. A less favorable prognosis for complications such as abscess, peritonitis, perforation of diverticula of the sigmoid colon.

Digestive problems - intestinal spasms

The word “spasm” translated from Greek means: “tightening, cramp.” From a physiological point of view, this is a rapid but prolonged contraction of muscle tissue, during which the relaxation phase is delayed. A spasm of striated muscles is called a cramp, and a spasm of smooth muscles, in particular the intestinal tube, is called colic.

Intestinal colic or intestinal spasm develops most often in the small intestine, then convulsive muscle contractions are transmitted throughout the digestive tract. Intestinal colic acquires a diffuse, so-called generalized character.

Intestinal spasm, causes

Normally, intestinal contractions occur in peristaltic waves: ebb and flow. The muscles of different parts work alternately: from the duodenum to the sigmoid colon. The rectum does not participate in the act of peristalsis, and contraction of the sphincter is not a manifestation of intestinal colic. Intestinal spasm develops when there is extreme irritation of the walls of the intestinal tract, which is caused by the following harmful substances:

During stress reactions, in extremely rare cases, intestinal spasms develop, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the form of profuse loose stools. Basically, this reaction is typical for animals. Only people in creative professions who suffer from neurasthenia are susceptible to manifestations of “bear disease.”

Intestinal spasms, symptoms

The following symptoms are characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome:

• The appearance of pain around the navel;
• Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• Constipation;
• Diarrhea;
• Flatulence;
• Belching of air, nausea and vomiting.

In severe cases, headaches occur, chills and cold sweats appear. If intestinal spasm is provoked by acute intestinal obstruction or thrombosis of mesenteric vessels, symptoms increase instantly. The pain spreads throughout the abdomen, the anterior abdominal wall becomes tense. With this development of the disease, the “quiet period” is especially dangerous, during which the pain disappears. Loss of sensitivity of the intestinal mucosa indicates the death of receptors due to the onset of necrosis.

Intestinal spasm, treatment

In case of intestinal colic, it is necessary to relieve the pain, and then undergo an examination to identify the cause of the intestinal irritation. In case of acute pain, you need to act differently. On the contrary, taking all painkillers that smooth out the clinical picture is prohibited. You can determine on your own whether an intestinal spasm has occurred or whether a surgical pathology has begun that requires immediate surgery. If the symptoms are smoothed out, the appearance of pain is clearly associated with food intake, one should think that the cause is intestinal spasm, which can be treated without surgery.

How to relieve intestinal spasms at home

For self-help, but not self-medication (!), the following activities are recommended:

• Warm enema, if possible, with a decoction of lemon balm or mint;
• Rectal suppository with belladonna;
• No-shpa tablet.

As a rule, if small intestinal spasm is not provoked by infection or toxins, the pain disappears after a single loose stool or passing of gas. If there is no effect, the dosage should not be increased. You need to call an ambulance. Medical specialists know how to relieve intestinal spasms without smoothing out the clinical picture.

Under no circumstances should you apply a heating pad to your stomach. This will not solve the problem, but will worsen the course of the disease.

Despite the fact that intestinal colic is detected throughout the abdomen, there are some differences between the small and large intestines.

Small intestinal spasm

When the mucous membrane of the small intestine is irritated, fluid absorption is impaired, resulting in diarrhea. Vomiting appears as a protective reaction of the body.

Developing spasm of the small intestine is characterized by bloating, uterine rumbling, headache, and decreased blood pressure.

As a result of uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea, the body loses fluid and important electrolytes, including calcium. Intestinal colic is accompanied by cramps of the striated muscles. The calf muscles react first. General weakness develops rapidly. With viral and bacterial infections, body temperature rises.

Painkillers are used to relieve spasms of the small intestine, and intravenous infusions of saline solutions are used to treat dehydration.

Colon spasm

Involvement of the large intestine in the process is accompanied by an increased urge to defecate, which alternates with constipation. If the large intestine, where feces are formed, is irritated, patients experience incomplete emptying after defecation.

When spasm of the large intestine becomes chronic, anemia develops in the human body and blood clotting is impaired. This occurs due to a lack of vitamins that are synthesized in the colon.

Prevention of intestinal spasms

In order to prevent intestinal colic, it is recommended to adjust the diet and diversify the diet. Products necessary for normal peristalsis contain an increased amount of fiber. In addition, eating foods rich in fiber reduces the load on the digestive organs. Also, digesting plant foods does not require large amounts of enzymes and bile acids.

To prevent the occurrence of intestinal spasms, you should eat food 4-5 times a day, in such quantities that you leave the table with a slight feeling of hunger. There is no need to give up meat dishes at all. A variety of foods stimulates normal peristalsis, eliminating convulsive contractions of the intestines.

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You need an in-person consultation with a gastroenterologist, treatment, diet.

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The sigmoid colon is the final section of the large intestine. It is responsible for the final stage of fecal formation and promotes the removal of digestive products from the body. Like any other part of the digestive tract, sigma is susceptible to various infectious and non-infectious diseases. In addition, this department is more susceptible to congenital anomalies and tumor processes.

• Show all

  Location and structure of the sigmoid colon

  Sigma is located in the left iliac fossa. It is a continuation of the descending colon. It has a transverse course from left to right and, reaching the midline of the body, passes into the rectum. Along its length, it forms two bends and resembles the letter S, which is how it got its name.

  Anatomy of the large intestine

  The length of the sigma can vary from 24-46 cm, the outer diameter is 4-6 cm. It originates at the entrance to the small pelvis and along its length forms two loops:

  • proximal – the convex side is directed downwards;
  • distal - the convex part of the loop looks up.

  Features of the anatomy of this section of the large intestine are that the sigma has a very long mesentery and is quite mobile. This is associated with the frequent formation of pathologies such as volvulus and intestinal obstruction.

  The main function of the sigmoid colon is the final stage of digestion and the formation of feces. This is where water is absorbed, some vitamins are synthesized, and stool hardens.

  

  Sigma diseases

  The sigmoid colon is quite often exposed to various diseases of an inflammatory and infectious nature. This is due to the peculiarities of the blood supply and the congenital structural features of this section (very short or long sigma). The most common infectious pathologies include:

  1. 1. Cholera.
  2. 2. Salmonellosis.
  3. 3. Dysentery and other intestinal infections.

  Other diseases include the following:

  1. 1. Congenital structural anomalies - megacolon (large in diameter colon, including sigmoid colon), dolichosigma (long sigmoid colon).
  2. 2. Crohn's disease.
  3. 3. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis.
  4. 4. Polyposis.
  5. 5. Diverticulosis.
  6. 6. Malignant neoplasms.

  All these nosological units, to one degree or another, lead to inflammatory processes in the wall of the sigmoid colon with the development of sigmoiditis.

  Pathologies such as polyposis, diverticulosis and malignant neoplasms are considered separately, since they lead to focal lesions and their clinical picture will vary.

  Sigmoiditis

  Sigmoiditis is a collective concept and includes various diseases. Accompanied by the occurrence of an inflammatory process of varying intensity in the wall of the sigmoid colon. Depending on the course, it can be acute or chronic.

  The main clinical symptoms of the disease include pain in the left iliac and lateral abdominal region. Patients are bothered by a feeling of bloating, rumbling, and frequent stools, in which impurities of mucus or blood appear. Nausea and vomiting may occur, and symptoms of intoxication may be severe.

  

  Inflammation of the large intestine

  The acute form is characterized by more pronounced symptoms and patients seek help at the initial stages. In the chronic course, the clinical picture is more blurred; patients self-medicate, which leads to severe complications that require surgical intervention.

  Sigmoiditis very rarely develops on its own. As a rule, along with the sigmoid colon, the entire colon is affected and the pathology in this case is called colitis.

  

  Classification

  In addition to dividing the pathology according to the type of course, into acute and chronic sigmoiditis, there are 4 more subtypes of the disease depending on the type and depth of the inflammatory process. Thus, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:

  1. 1. Catarrhal sigmoiditis - characterized by shallow damage to the intestine. The inflammatory process does not penetrate deeper than the mucous membrane. It swells and becomes hyperemic, a large amount of mucus forms on its surface (because of this, this type of sigmoiditis is also called mucous).
  2. 2. Erosive - inflammation affects deeper layers. The epithelium begins to peel off from the mucous membrane and areas of erosion are formed that can bleed.
  3. 3. Ulcerative or purulent-hemorrhagic - the pathological process involves the deeper layers of the intestinal wall, down to the muscle. Ulcers of varying sizes form, leading to severe bleeding.
  4. 4. Perisigmoiditis - the inflammatory process affects all layers of the intestinal wall, right down to the outer serous membrane and surrounding organs and tissues. As a result of such extensive inflammation in the abdominal cavity, adhesions can form between intestinal loops and other nearby anatomical structures, which often lead to obstruction.

  Causes of pathology

  The etiology of sigmoiditis is very diverse and may include many factors. Most often, the reason is a violation of the principles of a healthy diet and the development of putrefactive processes in the large intestine.

  Other pathologies that can cause an inflammatory process in the sigmoid colon are:

  1. 2. Crohn's disease.
  2. 2. Dysentery.
  3. 3. Salmonellosis.
  4. 4. Dysbacteriosis.
  5. 5. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis (UC).

  Crohn's disease and UC lead to damage to the intestine due to a malfunction of the immune system and the production of specific antibodies to the own cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

  Dysentery and salmonellosis are infectious diseases and independently have a destructive effect on the large intestine. Getting into enterocytes (cells of the intestinal mucosa), they begin to multiply in them and release exo- and endotoxins, which not only kill cells, but also cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues.

  With dysbiosis, sigmoiditis occurs due to an imbalance between pathogenic and non-pathogenic microflora. Under the influence of various factors, the number of beneficial microorganisms decreases and the increased growth of pathogenic microorganisms begins, which causes intestinal damage.

  Treatment of sigmoid inflammation

  The basis of therapy is the normalization of nutrition. During periods of exacerbation of the process, patients are recommended to use diet No. 4 according to Pevzner. Its essence lies in the consumption of gentle food - both thermally and in taste. You should not eat fatty, fried or spicy foods. Dishes need to be steamed and it is best to grate them through a grater or meat grinder to reduce the mechanical effect on the intestinal wall.

  The diet for sigmoiditis during remission consists of eating small portions and often. It is important to chew thoroughly and not eat rough food, which can injure the intestinal wall. It is imperative to include in your diet foods containing a large amount of fiber (vegetables and fruits), as it normalizes peristalsis and promotes the rapid excretion of feces, which is very important for sigmoiditis.

  For severe and deep lesions, patients are advised not to eat at all for 1-2 days, but only drink plenty of fluids.

  Drug treatment

  For bacterial lesions, etiotropic treatment consists of prescribing antibacterial drugs. Antibiotics such as Doxycycline, Levomycetin, Clarithromycin, etc. are used.

  

  In case of severe diarrheal syndrome, patients are prescribed saline solutions orally (orally through the mouth) - Regidron (a packet of powder is diluted in 1 liter of water and drunk throughout the day). In case of severe dehydration, infusion therapy is also added - Trisol, Glucose, Sodium chloride, Ringer. The volume of fluid is calculated depending on the water loss due to diarrhea and vomiting.

  Severe pain and spasms are relieved by prescribing antispasmodics - No-shpa, Baralgin, Spazmalgon.

  Crohn's disease and UC must be treated with glucocorticoids, as they inhibit autoimmune processes and stop damage to the intestines by their own immunity. The most commonly used are Prednisolone, Metypred, Dexamethasone. Also, for these pathologies, such a modern drug as Sulfasalazine is used. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and, by forming a film on the intestinal wall, protects it from aggressive influences.

  

  Dysbiosis is treated by prescribing probiotics. Good preparations contain lacto and bifidobacteria, these include:

  • Lactiale;
  • Bifi-forms;
  • Yogurt;
  • Lactofiltrum.

  

  Traditional methods

  Among the folk remedies for sigmoiditis, a decoction of alder fruits is used. To prepare it you need:

  1. 1. Mix 1 tablespoon of raw material with 0.2 liters of water and place in a water bath.
  2. 2. Boil for 25-30 minutes.
  3. 3. Leave for 15 minutes and strain.

  Take 60 ml three times a day half an hour before meals. This remedy is also used for colitis.

  In pharmacies there is a ready-made preparation from alder extract - Altan. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall, due to the fact that it envelops it and forms a protective film. Under it, regenerative processes improve and recovery occurs faster.

  

  A decoction of oak bark has a similar effect. It is prepared according to the same recipe as alder. You need to take it in the morning and evening, 70 ml. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks.

  Diverticulosis

  This disease is characterized by the formation of pathological expansions and protrusions in the intestinal wall. They can be single or multiple. The main reasons for their occurrence are:

  1. 1. Violation of peristalsis and the formation of a local increase in pressure, which provokes thinning and local expansion of the wall.
  2. 2. Weakening of the muscles of the intestinal wall with age.
  3. 3. Congenital underdevelopment of connective tissue (outer lining of the intestinal wall).
  4. 4. Violation of the trophism of a section of the intestine due to atherosclerosis or compression of blood vessels from the outside.
  5. 5. Hereditary predisposition.

  Single diverticula are not dangerous in themselves and may not show any signs throughout a person’s life. But in case of their inflammation, complications such as suppuration of the protrusion, torsion of its legs with subsequent necrosis, rupture of the intestine and the occurrence of peritonitis are possible.

  

  Diverticulum and its complications

  The main symptoms of diverticulosis may be constipation and minor pain.

  Extensive lesions are treated surgically - a section of the intestine with numerous protrusions is removed.

  For single diverticula, a diet high in fiber is prescribed. This is necessary in order to normalize the peristalsis of the large intestine and prevent stagnation of feces, which are mainly the cause of inflammation of the protrusions.

  Polyposis

  In the sigmoid colon, benign formations of glandular tissue may appear, which grow into the intestinal lumen and can cause obstruction and stagnation of feces. The etiological factors of their occurrence are:

  1. 1. Heredity.
  2. 3. Viral infections.

  Polyps can also become inflamed and lead to various clinical manifestations such as pain, dyspepsia, and constipation. When a polyp is frequently traumatized, it degenerates into a cancerous tumor. This is what makes this disease dangerous, so when it is detected, the best option is to remove the formations.

  

  Intestinal polyposis

  Polyps are removed mainly endoscopically - by ligation or electrocoagulation.

  The first method is to bandage the stem of the formation. Due to the fact that the blood circulation of the polyp stops, its necrosis occurs and it falls off and comes out naturally.

  Electrocoagulation is carried out using special electrodes that produce a charge that can have a cauterizing effect.

  Dolichosigma

  This pathology is a congenital anomaly in which the sigmoid colon is excessively elongated.

  Its main symptoms include the development of constipation, bloating and heaviness after eating.

  Pathology is detected by colonoscopy or x-ray. The danger is that the long intestine forms additional loops that are very mobile. Therefore, such patients are much more likely to experience torsion, volvulus, and intestinal obstruction.

  

  Dolichosigma

  Due to the reduced blood supply to the pathologically long intestine, inflammatory processes are very frequent in it.

  With dolichosigma, innervation is impaired, which contributes to decreased peristalsis and stagnation of feces. All these processes can lead to increased pressure in the intestine and cause its expansion - megacolon. Such patients are more prone to diverticulosis, since their muscle wall is weaker.

  Treatment consists of following a diet. It is recommended to consume large amounts of fiber and thermally gentle foods. Patients are prescribed medications containing lactulose - Dufalac, Normaze, etc.

  

  If the sigmoid colon is too long and there are severe clinical symptoms, patients undergo surgery - the area is removed and restored to normal size.

  Tumor processes

  Sigmoid colon cancer is equally common in men and women. This disease very often leads to death, since it is diagnosed mainly in the last stages. This is due to the fact that in the initial stages the disease has no symptoms.

  

  Sigmoid colon cancer

  The main predisposing factors are:

  1. 1. Stagnation of feces.
  2. 2. Polyps.
  3. 3. Diverticula.
  4. 2. Chronic inflammatory processes.
  5. 5. Crohn's disease and UC.
  6. 6. Genetic predisposition.

  Main symptoms:

  • the appearance of blood in the stool;
  • pain in the left half of the abdomen;
  • belching with a putrid odor;
  • sudden weight loss;
  • constipation

  Treatment in this case is only surgical. The extent of surgical intervention depends on the extent of the tumor and the depth of its germination.

  If one of your relatives has been diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer, it is necessary to undergo periodic colonoscopy to detect pathology in the early stages.

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Inflammation of the sigmoid colon, or sigmoiditis, very rarely occurs in isolated form. This phenomenon develops against the background of proctitis or colitis. The main symptom of the disease is a violation of the excretion of feces, since it is in this intestine that they are formed. According to statistics, women are more likely to suffer from this disease, but inflammation of the sigmoid colon often occurs in men. With age, the likelihood of developing pathology increases.

A little anatomy

The food bolus, saturated with gastric juice, enters the intestine, which, depending on its structure and function, is divided into thin and thick sections. In the small intestine, food undergoes enhanced digestion with subsequent absorption of nutrients through its walls. Processed food enters the large intestine, which is formed by the colon and rectum, and residual absorption of necessary substances occurs there. And then the feces come out through the rectum.

The sigmoid colon is part of the colon, and is its final section, directly flowing into the rectum. The structural features and proximity of other anatomical formations mean that sigmoiditis as such occurs very rarely; it is usually combined with inflammation of other parts of the intestine.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Proctologists and gastroenterologists note that the causes of this disease are:

All of the above processes underlie the disease of the sigmoid colon, and before deciding how to treat this disease, their influence should be identified and eliminated.

Types of sigmoiditis

If we talk about the types of inflammation, then according to the course of the process, such a disease can be acute or chronic.

According to the type of lesion, sigmoiditis is:

1. Catarrhal. In this case, only the inner lining of the intestine undergoes changes. A large amount of mucous substance is visible in the patient's stool. Upon examination, the surface is hyperemic and swollen.
2. Erosive. It occurs in a more severe form, and in some places the deeper layers of the sigmoid colon are affected.
3. Purulent-hemorrhagic. From the inside, the intestines undergo ulcerative changes.
4. Perisigmoiditis. This type of disease involves the involvement of the serous membrane and mesentery of the sigmoid colon in the inflammatory process. As a result, adhesions begin to form between the intestinal loops and other abdominal organs.

Signs of the disease

With acute inflammation, symptoms of catarrhal lesions begin:

• abdominal pain on the left, cramping in nature;
• irradiation of painful sensations most often occurs in the left side of the lower back and leg;
• nausea, vomiting develops, increased gas formation begins in the intestines;
• diarrhea and frequent false urge to defecate occur;
• passing feces have a foul odor, mucus and blood can be detected in them;
• in the presence of proctitis, blood and mucous discharge are observed even without stool;
• weakness develops, temperature rises;
• If you palpate the sigmoid colon, you will notice its tension and severe pain.

Ulcerative lesions occur as a chronic process. Intoxication syndrome, constant diarrhea, and stools in the form of meat slops come first. With adhesive disease, intestinal obstruction sometimes develops, which is an acute condition and requires immediate treatment.

It should be noted that inflammation of the sigmoid colon, the symptoms of which depend on the type of lesion and the severity of the pathological process, can occur of a mixed type. Therefore, it is quite difficult to determine the disease based only on symptoms.

How is the treatment carried out?

Treatment of the sigmoid colon with its mild or chronic inflammation is carried out mainly at home:

If the sigmoid colon becomes inflamed, timely treatment is usually effective, and in the case of an acute process, complete recovery is most often achieved. If a chronic process is observed, then with adequate therapy it is possible to achieve stable and long-term remission. The most important thing is to follow all the instructions recommended by your doctor.

The sigmoid colon is an important part of the digestive tract, on the well-coordinated work of which the functioning of the large intestine and, as a result, a person’s well-being largely depends. It is no coincidence that this organ received its name - in its appearance it slightly resembles the Latin letter “sigma”.

Of course, the anatomical structure of each person has its own individual characteristics, but still a certain similarity with the letter of the Latin alphabet can be traced in everyone. Timely treatment of the onset of the inflammatory process will help you get rid of many problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which can have the most serious consequences for your body.

For a competent diagnosis, you should clearly understand the importance of this organ for the body, take into account the anatomical structure of the sigmoid colon and all the functions that are assigned to it.

So where is the sigmoid colon?

It is very important to know the exact location of such an important organ in order to instantly respond to the first signs of illness. The sigmoid colon is located in the area between the rectum and descending colon, and in some cases its loops can reach the level of the right hypochondrium. It has quite noticeable dimensions, which can reach up to 68 cm in length. Typically, the diameter of the sigmoid colon is about 4 cm. As you can see, this organ is quite large in scale.

Speaking about the purpose of the sigmoid colon, it can be noted that it carries very important functions for the body - this organ contributes to the complete absorption and digestion of food, as a result of which normal and active functioning of the human body is achieved. The main function of the sigmoid colon is to completely absorb moisture from absorbed food - this moisture is simply necessary to saturate the body with water. Palpation is not particularly difficult - the intestine can be easily palpated in the area of ​​the left iliac part.

More on the topic: Proctitis causes bowel dysfunction

To carry out palpation, you need to put together and slightly bend the four fingers of your hand and place them on the front wall of the abdominal cavity, gently sliding your fingers along it and feeling the intestine. With the help of palpation, you can easily determine such important points as pain, the nature of the surface, thickness, peristalsis and mobility of the sigmoid colon.

Inflammatory diseases

The main causes of the inflammatory process are very diverse, but among them One reason can be singled out, which is rightfully considered the main one. It is associated with the main purpose of this organ - it is known that in the process of digesting food, the sigmoid colon turns into a zone of increased hardening of feces, which pass through this section of the digestive tract and are excreted from the body naturally. When inflammation occurs, this natural process is disrupted and serious disruptions occur in the normal, smooth functioning of the body. Let's get acquainted with the most common diseases.

• Inflammatory disease - sigmoiditis.
• – certain disorders in the process of blood supply to tissues and normal transportation of intestinal contents.
• The most terrible disease is.

The most common disease of the sigmoid colon is sigmoiditis. It is an inflammatory process of this organ and can occur in both chronic and acute forms.

Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of sigmoiditis include the appearance of unpleasant pain in the iliac region. The pain can have varying degrees of intensity and severity, be acute or aching in nature. Often the pain radiates to the leg and lower back area. But you should not make a diagnosis yourself - it is very important to contact a gastroenterologist in time and differentiate the disease, since its symptoms are very similar to the signs of appendicitis.
• A symptom of developing sigmoiditis is stool disorder, change in color and instability of discharge.
• Also, unexpected pain during or after the process of defecation can be a manifestation of the inflammatory process in the sigmoid colon.
• In some cases, the symptoms of this disease include vomiting, rumbling, etc.
• Frequent additional symptoms are increased human fatigue, nervous disorders, sudden weight loss and loss of strength.

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Have you noticed that you have pain in the iliac region? You should not put off a visit to an experienced specialist for too long - treatment of sigmoiditis requires a timely and comprehensive approach. If the disease could not be diagnosed in the early stages, it became chronic and did not receive comprehensive treatment - this can have very unpleasant consequences for the body. As a result, the patient’s quality of life is significantly reduced, and general well-being also noticeably worsens. Diagnosis is carried out by a gastroenterologist using the colonoscopy method.

The main reasons for the development of sigmoiditis

The main and most common reasons that can provoke the development of the inflammatory process are very diverse.

• The most common reason that can trigger the development of this disease is the individual characteristics of the intestinal structure. Thus, a large number of bends in the colon can cause stagnation and obstruction of feces, which in turn is fraught with the development of an inflammatory process.
• During pregnancy, the chances of getting sigmoiditis. This is due to increased pressure from the uterus on the sigmoid colon area, which can also cause fecal stagnation.
• Other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke the appearance of sigmoiditis - for example, or.
• In some cases, the causes of the inflammatory process may be other factors: abuse of alcoholic beverages or spicy foods, various infections and severe nervous disorders in the functioning of the nervous system.

For inflammation of the sigmoid colon, complex treatment is recommended, including the use of medications, a strict diet, and in some cases even surgery. In no case should you self-medicate or use folk remedies - this is fraught with the development of serious complications and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, which will require long-term treatment.

In the most common cases, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs are used to treat inflammation. If a patient experiences sharp pain in the iliac region, which significantly worsens the quality of life, it is recommended to use painkillers or antispasmodics that are aimed at eliminating pain.