Spastic Colon

Spastic colon is another term for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It affects mainly the bowel, or colon, which is also called the large intestine. The bowel is a part of the digestive system that makes the stool as well as stores it. Spastic Colon is characterized by abdominal cramping and abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, constipation as well as diarrhea. It is a common disorder characterized by. It is a devastating and incurable condition that affects up to 20% of the world's population.

The term "spastic colon" is used to describe the increase in spontaneous contractions (motility) of muscles in the small and large intestines that is associated with IBS which is also sometimes called as spasms. However, as IBS may also be associated with decreased motility, the term "spastic colon" isn't always that accurate.

The cause and severity of IBS varies a lot from one person to another. There is no cure foe Spastic Colon however, are many a lot of effective ways of controlling and even eliminating Spastic Colon symptoms and these may include change in diet, reduction of stress, and anticholinergic or anti-diarrheal medications.

It is important to note that Spastic Colon is a physical and not a psychological disorder. Also, it is not a disease, rather, it's a functional disorder, which means that the bowel simply does not work as it should and it is characterized as a brain-gut dysfunction.

Spastic Colon is diagnosed partly by the use of the official diagnostic criteria known as the Rome II Guidelines. In essence, Spastic Colon's diagnosis is an exclusion process. As there is really no medical test available that will be positive for Spastic Colon; instead, the doctor will test all other illnesses that can mimic Spastic Colon, and if those tests are negative, and if symptoms fit the Rome II Guidelines, Spastic Colon then be diagnosed. In particular, it's very important that the following diseases are excluded before a diagnosis of Spastic Colon is accepted: Colon cancer, Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis), Bowel obstructions, Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis, Gallstones, allergies from food, Celiac (a genetic, autoimmune disorder resulting in gluten intolerance), Bacterial infections, Intestinal parasites, Endometriosis, cancer of the ovary.