What are the colon and the rectum?
The colon and the rectum are part of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract and form a long tube called the large intestine, or the large bowel. The colon begins at the end of the small intestine and travels about five feet around the abdomen to end at the rectum, which is a pouch-like structure, about 6 inches long, between the colon and the anus.
The colon absorbs water from the digested food and stores waste until it is ready to pass out of the body. The rectum expands to hold the waste before it passes through the anus as a bowel movement.
What is Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory bowel disease includes two diseases: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis occurs from the large intestine to the rectum. Both diseases can have many complications that require surgery. For example, patients can develop fistulas (where two organs fuse together and make an abnormal connection), blockages, and infections that require surgical intervention. In severe cases, patients may require removal of part of the intestines.
What is a polyp?
Polyps are non-cancerous growths that can become cancerous. They form on the inner wall (called the mucosa) of the colon or rectum. They are common, especially in people older than age 50, and can cause bleeding, or, when very large, can block bowel movements. Because some polyps may become cancerous, they are generally removed by colonoscopy.
What is a colostomy?
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an alternate way for stool to leave the body through an opening, called a stoma, in the abdominal wall. A small bag is applied to the skin and catches the stool. Many people live fully active lives with stomas. Typically, once it has healed, the stoma is painless and should not even cause discomfort. A specialist called an enterostomal therapist can help a patient with a new stoma learn how to take care of it, and adjust to living well with it.
