It is important to know and understand the indicants of perforated colon so that we may detect the condition with the help of prominent symptoms. The most common symptoms are noted herein.
The colon is a part of the digestive system that helps absorb nutrients from all that we ingest. The colon is situated at the end of the intestine and has a significant role to play in partially culminating our digestion process. The absorption of water, potassium and vitamins takes place when the contents reach the last stage of the digestion process. This is before the food matter is set to be expelled from the body. If there is any perforation or rupture that is created along the colon wall, the contents can get transferred to the abdominal cavity. It can also be said that the contents slip into the abdominal cavity.
Causes of Perforated Colon
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an ailment that may cause severe inflammation of the intestines. Intestinal blockage is the resultant issue.
Diverticulitis
The other chronic disease that can lead to a perforated bowel is diverticulitis. This is a condition in which the colon gets a tissue coverage. This coverage that the colon has developed is highly susceptible to infection. If and when these infections stay, there are chances of you suffering from a perforated colon.
Another reason that can lead to perforated bowel and perforated colon symptoms is an injury or trauma to the abdomen. Compression or stabbing in the abdomen could also be the potential cause of a perforated colon further causing an intestinal blockage.
Symptoms of Perforated Colon
Severe Pain in Abdomen
The first symptom of perforated colon is a severe abdominal pain. This symptom alone, is indeed a very lose structure of diagnosing the condition. The abdominal muscles become all the more sore and susceptible to pain when the abdominal muscles have sustained an injury or a severe trauma.
Abdominal Swelling
Swelling in the abdomen is another common symptom of perforated colon. There is also a significant amount of tenderness that is felt in the abdomen accompanied with pain.
Fever
Another symptom that you are bound to experience is high fever. When there is a susceptible point in the colon and when this particular area in the colon ruptures, increased inflammation is the result. This in turn initiates high fever. Chills and cramps could be accompanied with fever and the individual may appear flushed red and may have a warm and moist skin.
Bleeding
There are cases where the perforated colon sports a symptom of excreting blood in the stool. When this happens, it would be beneficial if you do not neglect the situation and consult your health care professional immediately.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that may occur in conjunction with the abdominal swelling and fever. Due to this, it is possible that the person affected may lose his appetite which further leads to drastic weight fluctuation.
Treatment to Consider
The treatment includes a perforated colon surgery. Medication cannot be an option to consider as this is a serious condition to counter. Thus, a surgery should be performed immediately without much delay. The surgeon first cleanses the abdomen. Cleaning the abdomen is necessary as the bowel perforation seeps the infection into the abdomen cavity. The next step of the surgery is to repair the rupture in the colon. This surgery, as such, does not pose much problem, however, just like any other surgery or medical emergency, this surgery as well carries risks and potential complications. Some of the after effects of the surgery are:
Blood Clots in Legs
They form in the legs due to being immobile during and after the surgery. These blood clots make their way through the blood stream and perforate into the lungs.
Bowel Leaks/Infection
When the infection in the abdominal cavity takes place, the bowel contents are pushed out of the intestines thereby seeping into the abdomen.
When you observe any of these symptoms indicating a perforated bowel, disrupting your life, garner an expert consult to regain control over the condition.
