Recognizing Spastic Colon Symptoms
Spastic colon is a condition which is considered as being the most common chronic health disorder in North America. It is recognized as being a physical and not a psychological disorder, one that affects the bowel or colon of the body more than anything. It is primarily characterized by lower abdominal pain and discomfort.
Spastic colon syndrome is also known as irritable bowel syndrome, and it often causes either significant diarrhea or constipation.
Spastic Colon Symptoms
There are a few different spastic colon symptoms in particular that are common among sufferers, and this includes recurrent lower abdominal pain and cramping, altered bowel mobility, weight loss, dehydration, nausea and vomiting. Gas and bloating are also very common, but upper GI symptoms are usually not a typically part of the syndrome.
Diagnosis
Before you can really get any help for your spastic colon condition, you need to have a proper assessment and diagnosis. This means talking to your doctor about your spastic colon symptoms and learning more about the syndrome itself first. Your doctor will be able to work with you and inform you of how serious your condition is, as well as what the best methods of treatment are going to be for you and your specific condition.
Treatment
There are a few methods of treatment that have shown to be effective at relieving spastic colon symptoms. Milder methods of treatment are typically recommended first, such as peppermint oil, which is an excellent digestive aid and which helps to eliminate gas, bloating and abdominal cramps. It also helps to improve circulation and in the production of digestive fluids.
Fiber and other nutritional supplements may also be prescribed, and some doctors also prescribe drugs that control colon muscle spasms, drugs that work by slowing the movement of food through the digestive system. Antidepressant drugs may also be used, but you should not start yourself on any treatment without first consulting with your doctor. It is important that you discuss your condition with your doctor and work not to just figure out which method of treatment is best, but which is going to be best suited to you and your condition.
Spastic colon syndrome can definitely be uncomfortable and even embarrassing, but if you are a sufferer of the condition it is important that you know that there are options out there, things that you can do to treat your condition and get to feeling like your regular old self in no time.
