Download Large Intestine

Presented By:
Asha Davidson and Asmani Patel
•Portion
of the
digestive tract
between small intestine
and anus
•Approximately 1.5 m
long
•Consists of 6 sections:
• Cecum
• Ascending colon
• Transverse colon
• Descending colon
• Sigmoid colon
• Rectum
Reabsorbs water and
maintains the fluid
balance of the body
 Absorbs certain vitamins
 Processes undigested
material - Fiber
 Stores waste before it is
eliminated

Connected to small
intestine and anus
The colon absorbs water from liquid
stool that is delivered to it from the
small intestine
Hollow organ
The large intestine is a long hollow organ
lined with mucous membrane (mucosa).
Muscle layers wrap around the entire
length and help move food material
through to the rectum.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 The most common functional disorder of the intestine. Functional constipation
and chronic functional abdominal pain are other disorders of the intestine that
have physiological causes, but do not have identifiable structural, chemical, or
infectious pathologies. They are aberrations of normal bowel function but not
diseases.
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Diverticular Disease
 Condition that is very common in older people in industrialized countries. It
usually affects the large intestine but has been known to affect the small
intestine as well. Diverticular disease occurs when pouches form on the
intestinal wall. Once the pouches become inflamed it is known as
Diverticulitis, (or Diverticular disease.)
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Endometriosis
 Affects the intestines, with similar symptoms to IBS.
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Bowel twist (bowel strangulation)
 Comparatively rare event (usually developing sometime after major bowel
surgery). It is, however, hard to diagnose correctly, and if left uncorrected can
lead to bowel infarction and death. (The singer Maurice Gibb is understood to
have died from this.)
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Constipation / Diarrhea
Intestinal polyps
Colon Cancer

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 Discomfort in lower abdomen
 Altered bowel habit
 Heartburn
 Satiety (feeling full)
 Bloating
 Urgency
 Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
 Fatigue
 Sleep Disturbance

Diverticular Disease
 Bloating
 Constipation
 Colon Muscle Spasms
 Tender Abdomen
 Fever
 Nausea
 Chills
 GI and rectal bleeding

Endometriosis
 Very similar to symptoms of IBS when
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endometriosis affects the intestines
Painful bowel movements
Diarrhea
Headaches
Lower back pain

Bowel Twist - Volvulus
 Sudden, severe abdominal pain
 Vomiting
 Abdominal distension
 Constipation
 Blood in stool
 Overwhelming sensations of Nausea

Colon Cancer
 Constipation
 Thin stool
 Stomach cramps
 Bloody Stool
 Unexplained weight loss
 Satiety
 Nausea & Vomiting
 Gas & Bloating
 Lethargy

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 No cure has been found for IBS, but many options are available to treat the
symptoms.
 Fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation or medicines to decrease diarrhea,
such as Lomotil or loperamide (Imodium). An antispasmodic is commonly
prescribed, which helps to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain.
 Medications that relax muscles in the bladder and intestines, such as Donnapine and
Librax.
 A medication available specifically to treat IBS is alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex).
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Diverticular Disease
 High fiber diet and fiber supplements
 Antispasmodics
 Avoid nuts, beans, corn, seeds
 Antibiotics- ex: Ciprofloxacin
 srugery

Bowel twist (bowel strangulation)
 Barium enemas
 Laparoscopic or colonoscopic procedures
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Colon Cancer
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Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
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Endoscopy
Capsule Endoscopy
Laparoscopy
X-ray Studies
Ultrasound Scanning
Computed Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Paracentesis
Occult Blood Tests
Intubation of the Digestive Tract
Manometry

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
 No permanent harm, just mild annoyance
 Control of symptoms frequently obtained

Diverticular Disease
 Good prognosis with only 20% of individuals seeking advanced medical
aid
 Worse with older adults

Bowel twist (bowel strangulation)
 If necrosis occurs, prognosis is poor
 Early recognition and treatment serves for a good, healthy outcome

Colon Cancer
 Stage 1: 5 year survival at greater than 90%
 Stage 2: 5 years at 55-75%
 Stage 3: 5 years at 20 -35%
 Stage 4: 5 years at less than 5% often only 1 year