Megacolon: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
mNo edit summary |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Megacolon | |||
| image = [[File:Toxic_Megacolon_in_Ulcerative_Colitis.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Radiological image of toxic megacolon in a patient with [[ulcerative colitis]] | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| synonyms = | |||
| symptoms = Abdominal distension, pain, fever, rapid heart rate | |||
| complications = [[Perforation (medical)|Perforation]], [[sepsis]], [[shock (circulatory)|shock]] | |||
| onset = | |||
| duration = | |||
| types = [[Toxic megacolon]], [[Congenital megacolon]] | |||
| causes = [[Hirschsprung's disease]], [[Chagas disease]], [[ulcerative colitis]], [[Crohn's disease]], [[pseudomembranous colitis]] | |||
| risks = | |||
| diagnosis = [[Abdominal X-ray]], [[CT scan]], [[colonoscopy]] | |||
| differential = [[Ileus]], [[obstruction (medicine)|bowel obstruction]] | |||
| prevention = | |||
| treatment = [[Bowel rest]], [[intravenous fluids]], [[surgery]] | |||
| medication = [[Antibiotics]], [[corticosteroids]] | |||
| prognosis = | |||
| frequency = | |||
}} | |||
== Megacolon == | == Megacolon == | ||
<youtube> | <youtube> | ||
title='''{{PAGENAME}}''' | title='''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/H6uqH9gEBQI | movie_url=http://www.youtube.com/v/H6uqH9gEBQI | ||
&rel=1 | &rel=1 | ||
| Line 11: | Line 32: | ||
height=600 | height=600 | ||
</youtube> | </youtube> | ||
'''Megacolon''' is an abnormal dilation of the [[colon]] (also known as the large intestine) that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called [[fecaloma]]s. The condition is often classified into two types, [[Congenital megacolon]] and [[Acquired megacolon]]. | '''Megacolon''' is an abnormal dilation of the [[colon]] (also known as the large intestine) that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called [[fecaloma]]s. The condition is often classified into two types, [[Congenital megacolon]] and [[Acquired megacolon]]. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Megacolon can be associated with several conditions. The most common types are: | Megacolon can be associated with several conditions. The most common types are: | ||
* '''Congenital megacolon''': This is also known as [[Hirschsprung's disease]]. It is caused by the absence of nerve cells in the muscles of the colon. | * '''Congenital megacolon''': This is also known as [[Hirschsprung's disease]]. It is caused by the absence of nerve cells in the muscles of the colon. | ||
* '''Acquired megacolon''': This can be caused by a number of factors including [[Chagas disease]], an infection that damages the nerves in the colon, and [[chronic constipation]]. | * '''Acquired megacolon''': This can be caused by a number of factors including [[Chagas disease]], an infection that damages the nerves in the colon, and [[chronic constipation]]. | ||
[[File:Toxic megacolon 1.JPG|left|thumb|Toxic megacolon]] | |||
[[File:Toxic megacolon 1.JPG|thumb|Toxic megacolon]] | |||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
Symptoms of megacolon can include: | Symptoms of megacolon can include: | ||
* Abdominal pain or bloating | * Abdominal pain or bloating | ||
* Chronic constipation | * Chronic constipation | ||
| Line 32: | Line 45: | ||
* Fatigue | * Fatigue | ||
* In severe cases, fecal impaction | * In severe cases, fecal impaction | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of megacolon can be made through a variety of tests, including: | Diagnosis of megacolon can be made through a variety of tests, including: | ||
* [[X-ray]]: An X-ray of the abdomen can show if the colon is enlarged. | * [[X-ray]]: An X-ray of the abdomen can show if the colon is enlarged. | ||
* [[Colonoscopy]]: This test allows the doctor to view the inside of the colon. | * [[Colonoscopy]]: This test allows the doctor to view the inside of the colon. | ||
* [[Manometry]]: This test measures the pressure inside the colon. | * [[Manometry]]: This test measures the pressure inside the colon. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment for megacolon often involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can include: | Treatment for megacolon often involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can include: | ||
* Medication: Drugs that stimulate the muscles in the colon can help improve bowel movements. | * Medication: Drugs that stimulate the muscles in the colon can help improve bowel movements. | ||
* Surgery: In severe cases, part or all of the colon may need to be removed. | * Surgery: In severe cases, part or all of the colon may need to be removed. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Hirschsprung's disease]] | * [[Hirschsprung's disease]] | ||
* [[Chagas disease]] | * [[Chagas disease]] | ||
* [[Chronic constipation]] | * [[Chronic constipation]] | ||
[[Category:Gastrointestinal tract disorders]] | [[Category:Gastrointestinal tract disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Congenital disorders]] | [[Category:Congenital disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Rare diseases]] | [[Category:Rare diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:37, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Megacolon | |
|---|---|
| File:Toxic Megacolon in Ulcerative Colitis.jpg | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Abdominal distension, pain, fever, rapid heart rate |
| Complications | Perforation, sepsis, shock |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | Toxic megacolon, Congenital megacolon |
| Causes | Hirschsprung's disease, Chagas disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, pseudomembranous colitis |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | Abdominal X-ray, CT scan, colonoscopy |
| Differential diagnosis | Ileus, bowel obstruction |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Bowel rest, intravenous fluids, surgery |
| Medication | Antibiotics, corticosteroids |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | N/A |
Megacolon[edit]
Megacolon is an abnormal dilation of the colon (also known as the large intestine) that is not caused by mechanical obstruction. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the peristaltic movements of the bowel. In more extreme cases, the feces consolidate into hard masses inside the colon, called fecalomas. The condition is often classified into two types, Congenital megacolon and Acquired megacolon.
Causes[edit]
Megacolon can be associated with several conditions. The most common types are:
- Congenital megacolon: This is also known as Hirschsprung's disease. It is caused by the absence of nerve cells in the muscles of the colon.
- Acquired megacolon: This can be caused by a number of factors including Chagas disease, an infection that damages the nerves in the colon, and chronic constipation.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of megacolon can include:
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Chronic constipation
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- In severe cases, fecal impaction
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of megacolon can be made through a variety of tests, including:
- X-ray: An X-ray of the abdomen can show if the colon is enlarged.
- Colonoscopy: This test allows the doctor to view the inside of the colon.
- Manometry: This test measures the pressure inside the colon.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for megacolon often involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can include:
- Medication: Drugs that stimulate the muscles in the colon can help improve bowel movements.
- Surgery: In severe cases, part or all of the colon may need to be removed.
