The colon can become blocked, causing it to become less functional and to work poorly and sluggishly. The colon can become blocked for a number of different reasons, many of which are everyday lifestyle factors which affect large numbers of people. A bad diet is one of the most common reasons for a blocked colon to occur, but there are also some other reasons why the colon can become blocked. There are also some medical conditions that can cause blockages in the colon, although these types of causes are less common.
One of the most important causes of a blocked colon is a poor diet. Fiber is the most important dietary component for the functioning of the colon. Eating fiber can help to keep the intestines more active, and it can ensure that the natural process of elimination from the bowels continues at a healthy rate. If the diet does not contain sufficient amounts of fiber, it can impair the functioning of the digestive system and lead to a blocked colon. Many modern diets do not contain enough fiber to keep the digestive system healthy. A diet that contains a lot of junk food, which is high in saturated fats and processed sugars, can lead to problems with the colon. Other dietary factors that can cause a blocked colon include dehydration or not drinking enough water. Remaining properly hydrated is also important for the proper functioning of the digestive system. If there are not enough fluids, such as water, in the diet, then the colon can become dysfunctional or blocked. People whose digestive problems are caused by a digestive disorder such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome will also be affected by other elements in their diet, such as the consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
Colon problems such as sluggishness can also be caused by stress and by a lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle.
There are a number of medical causes of a blocked colon, some of which can have potentially serious consequences. These medical causes include digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease, infestations by hostile parasitic organisms, hernias, scar tissue in the colon, tumors or cancer in the colon. Many other disorders of the colon can impair its function, including hemorrhoids, perianal abscesses, rectal prolapse, fissures and fistulae. All of these conditions can result in pain and difficulty in passing stools, which can lead to the colon becoming blocked. The functioning of the colon and the digestive system may also become more sluggish as the result of a number of systemic or neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, lupus or scleroderma.
Certain medications can also impair the functioning of the colon and bowels. Examples of these types of medications include antihistamines (also known as anticholinergics) NSAIDs, and diuretics, which can all result in constipation in some of the people who take them. Regularly using or overusing laxatives can also lead to the bowel become less capable of functioning normally and it can lead to constipation.
If the colon does become blocked, then it can result in a wide range of symptoms, including constipation, abdominal pain and bloating. Treatments are available which can help to cure blocked colon or help it to return to its normal function. It is also important to consider the reasons why the colon may have become blocked and to think about nay lifestyle or dietary changes that may help prevent these factors from causing the same problem to return again.