About this topic
Your colon is another name for your large bowel. A megacolon is a condition in which your colon becomes bigger and wider. Gas and stool may slow down or stop moving through this part of your bowel. They may build up in the bowel and you may have problems having a bowel movement. The swelling and buildup of germs and gas may have a toxic effect on your whole body. Megacolon is a serious condition and may lead to death if not treated and corrected. ‚
What are the causes?
Sometimes a megacolon is a side effect of another disease. Other times it happens because of an infection or swelling. Megacolon may happen with illnesses like: ‚
- Hirschprungs disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Infectious colitis
- Crohns disease
- Chagas disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Diffuse gastrointestinal dysmotility
- Chronic constipation
What are the main signs?
Your signs are based on what is causing the megacolon. You may have: ‚
- Stomach pain, swelling, or tenderness
- Problems having a bowel movement
- Loose stools that may be bloody
- Poor weight gain or malnutrition
- Weakness, having no energy
- Throwing up
- Fever
- Change in being able to think clearly
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are: Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests that may include testing your stool
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Barium enema
- Ultrasound
- Colonoscopy
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your care will be based on what is causing your megacolon. You may need: ‚
- An enema to help get the stool out of your bowel
- Extra fluids to keep you from becoming dehydrated
- To stop any drugs that slow movement through your bowel. These are drugs like opiate pain drugs and drugs called anticholinergics
- Rest for your bowel by not eating or having a nasogastric or NG tube to drain your stomach contents
- To get your nutrition in a way other than eating. You may need special I.V. fluids to give you more nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
You may need to have surgery to have all or part of your bowel removed. Your doctor may: ‚
- Connect the two healthy ends of your bowel together. Then, stool will move through your bowel in the normal way.
- Connect your bowel to an opening on the outside of your stomach. This is called an ostomy. The stool will leave your body through this opening into a bag or pouch that is placed on your skin. This may be done for a short time to let your bowel heal. Then, the healthy ends are joined back together. Other times, the ostomy is permanent.
- Connect your small bowel to your anus. Stool will be removed in the normal way. It may be more watery and you may have more bowel movements each day.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Reduce swelling
- Treat your signs
Will there be any other care needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to learn how to care for your ostomy if you had surgery.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚