1. What is diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is a disorder that can cause belly pain, fever, and problems with bowel movements. The food we eat travels from the stomach through a long tube called the intestine. The last part of that tube is the colon. The colon sometimes has small pouches in its walls. These pouches are […]
1. What is the appendix? The appendix is a long, thin pouch that is shaped like a finger. It hangs down from the large intestine, which is also called the colon. 2. What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is the name for when the appendix gets infected and inflamed. If that happens, it can swell and, in
1. What is a colostomy? A colostomy is an opening in the belly made by a doctor as a way for bowel movements to leave the body not through the anus. To make a colostomy, your doctor will do a procedure to make a small opening in your belly. Then they will connect your large
1. What is an ileostomy? An ileostomy is an opening in the belly made by a doctor as a way for waste products from the intestines to leave the body. An ileostomy is sometimes called a “stoma,” which is a medical word that means “opening.” After you have an ileostomy made, waste products from your
1. What are colon polyps? Colon polyps are tiny growths that form on the inside of the large intestine (also known as the colon). Polyps are very common. About one-third to one-half of all adults have them by the time they are 50 years old. They do not usually cause symptoms. But some polyps can
1. What are colon polyps? Colon polyps are tiny growths that form on the inside of the large intestine (also known as the colon). Polyps are very common. About one-third to one-half of all adults have them by the time they are 50 years old. They do not usually cause symptoms. But some polyps can
1. What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy is a test that looks at the inner lining of a person’s large intestine. The large intestine is also called the colon. Often, people have a colonoscopy as a screening test to check for polyps or for cancer in the colon or rectum. Polyps are growths in the
1. What is colon and rectal cancer screening? Colon and rectal cancer screening is a way in which doctors check the colon and rectum for signs of cancer or growths (called polyps) that might become cancer. It is done in people who have no symptoms and no reason to think they have cancer. The goal
1. What is constipation? Constipation is a common problem that makes it hard to have bowel movements. Your bowel movements might be: Too hard Too small Hard to get out Happening fewer than 3 times a week 2. What causes constipation? Constipation can be caused by: Side effects of some medicines Poor diet Diseases of
1. Are there different types of abdominal pain? Yes. “Abdominal pain” means pain in the abdomen (or belly), which is the part of the body between the chest and the genital area. This pain can happen for different reasons. It can be “chronic,” which means it develops over time, or “acute,” which means it starts
