Colon disorders are common gastrointestinal problems characterized by abnormal bowel habits and abdominal pain. Poor dietary choices, including the worst foods for colon health, can exacerbate these issues, making prevention just as important as treatment. The Rome IV diagnostic criteria, developed by the Rome Foundation, are used to diagnose functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBIs). Various drugs and nonpharmaceutical treatments can be used, but individualized care is crucial.
Etiology
The causes of colon disorders are numerous and unclear. However, motility, visceral feeling, brain-gut interaction, and psychosocial discomfort can all contribute to the development of IBS, as will be discussed in the pathophysiology section below.
Epidemiology
- It is common in primary care practices, and 12% of patients seeking medical attention have colon disorders.
- Although the prevalence is between 10 and 15%), the majority of patients choose not to seek treatment.
- Southeast Asia has the lowest prevalence (7%), while South America has the highest (21%).
- In the US and Canada, women are 1.5: 2 times more likely to experience symptoms, and the prevalence declines with age.
Pathophysiology
- Abnormalities in motility, visceral feeling, brain-gut connection, and psychosocial distress are all part of the complex pathophysiology of irritable colon. Though not all symptoms can be linked to them, most patients can typically exhibit at least one of these.
- Additionally, recent research has linked colon disorders to changes in intestinal and colonic microbiota and gut immune system activation.
- Early life stressors, dietary intolerance, antibiotics, and intestinal infections are examples of environmental factors that contribute to this condition.
- Patients frequently complain that their food intake is linked to their symptoms. However, a real food allergy only contributes a small amount to colon irritation.
Diagnosis
- According to Rome IV criteria, irritable colon or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel illness characterized by frequent abdominal pain that is linked to changes in bowel habits or defecation.
- Symptoms of abdominal bloating or distension are common, as are disorders of bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of constipation and diarrhea).
- At least six months should pass before a diagnosis is made, and the symptoms should have appeared during the previous three months.
FODMAPs: What is it?
Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, or FODMAPs, are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine. After consuming them, some people have digestive issues. Among the symptoms are:
- Cramping
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Flatulence and gases
Colon-Irritating Foods to Avoid
Individual differences exist in the foods that cause symptoms. Avoiding foods high in FODMAPs that upset the gut is crucial for reducing the symptoms of irritable colon, including:
- Dairy-based products like ice cream, yoghurt, and milk.
- Wheat products, like bread, crackers, and cereal.
- Legumes and beans.
- Some veggies, including garlic, onions, asparagus, and artichokes.
- Some fruits, including peaches, pears, cherries, and apples.
Plan your meals around low-FODMAPS items like
- Meats and eggs.
- There are several cheeses like feta, Camembert, cheddar, and berries.
- Milk with almonds.
- Grains such as quinoa, oats, and rice; veggies such as zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
- Fruits include pineapple, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes.
Management & treatment
- Address symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and pain.
- For constipation, take probiotics, loperamide, laxatives, or fiber supplements.
- Increase physical activity.
- Avoid FODMAPs.
- For persistent abdominal pain, consider relatively small doses of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
- Alosetron can cause ischaemic colitis but can help female IBS-D.
- For people with IBS, the nonabsorbable broad-spectrum antibiotic Rifaximin can reduce diarrhea and stomach pain.
Patients experiencing abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, or bowel changes should consult a primary care physician, and if diagnosed with IBS, a gastroenterology consultation is necessary for management and treatment.
Also Read: Signs of Colon Cancer in Females
References
Patel, N., & Shackelford, K. B. (2022, October 30). Irritable bowel syndrome. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534810/.
Lacy, B. E., & Patel, N. K. (2017). Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(11), 99.
