Perforated Colon
Symptoms, causes and treatment of a perforated colon
By Jarrett Kruse
A perforated colon is a potentially lethal problem requiring immediate attention in order to repair the damage before it’s too late. While the perforation itself is not lethal, the resulting toxins leaking into the body are quite harmful in the long-term. Therefore, it is important to recognize symptoms of impaired colon function and seek medical treatment immediately. There are several perforated colon symptoms that may present itself with the most common being trauma. Trauma can occur by forcing foreign objects into the colon or by consuming an object that causes damage as it passes through. A mistake made during a surgical procedure can perforate the colon as well. Also, the attempt at home colon cleanings or enemas can inadvertently puncture the colon if they are not performed correctly.
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A number of illnesses like diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can also damage the colon. All of these illnesses can be prevented by performing a regular colon cleansing and by following a high-fiber diet. The symptoms for each of these conditions can be lessened with scheduled routine cleansings. If left unchecked, each of these problems can lead to a number of related complications. If a damaged colon is left untreated, it can cause bile and other toxins to leak into the abdominal cavity.
The method used to treat this condition depends on how badly the colon has become perforated as well as the circumstances surrounding the perforation. In probably all cases, perforated colon surgery will be required to repair the damage. He or she will likely require strong antibiotics to deter infections. Continued perforated colon treatment is necessary for the first few days following surgery as some patient’ situations may worsen. It is important to look for presence of inflammation and infection that may develop into a fistula. Also it vital to keep an eye out for colon polyps which the great majority of are harmless. However, over time and the older you get, polyps may become cancerous over time. Anyone can develop colon polyps but you are at higher risk if you are 50 or older, overweight, a smoker, or eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet.
