The descending colon is part of the large intestine responsible for absorbing water and storing waste. Diseases associated with it include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer, which require different treatment methods depending on severity. Regular colorectal exams are necessary to detect colon cancer in its early stages.
The descending colon is part of the large intestine. The large intestine includes the vermiform appendix, cecum, and colon. The descending colon is part of the colon, which is made up of several parts. They include the ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. This part of the colon passes through the upper back of the abdomen and down the side of the left kidney.
The large intestine functions as a reservoir for the liquid that is deposited from the small intestine. The large intestine is responsible for absorbing water and other substances, such as salts. It also stores waste until it can be removed from the body when a person has a bowel movement. As food moves through the intestinal tract, water is absorbed from the large intestine. This causes the wastes to leave the body in solid form.
It is important to maintain good colon health, as there are several diseases associated with the descending colon. Among the most common are ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and colon cancer. Ulcerative colitis can affect any part of the colon, but when it affects the descending colon, it’s called left-sided colitis. Inflammation and ulcers on the lining of the intestines signal its presence. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include diarrhea, bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, too much mucus in the fecal material, appetite, and weight loss. Treatment methods can vary widely, from dietary changes to corrective surgery, depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s overall health.
When a person has Crohn’s disease or Crohn’s colitis, they have sores on the tissues in their intestines and this makes it difficult for the intestines to absorb water and salt. Symptoms that can develop from this disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, weight loss, abscesses, and fatigue. There is no cure for Crohn’s disease. Only dietary changes can help reduce symptoms.
Cancer of this portion of the colon is the most serious of diseases. A person can have colon cancer but have no symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, regular colorectal exams are needed to catch the disease in its early stages. However, there are some signs that may indicate colon cancer. These symptoms include abrupt changes in bowel habits, bleeding from the rectum, black stools, frequent constipation, and mucus in the stool. Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
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