Colon pain: Location, causes, and more

Problems with the colon, or large intestine, can cause pain in the lower abdomen. Possible causes include constipation, diarrhea, and a range of gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel disease or colitis. Treatment will depend on the cause.

Inflammation, irritation, and obstruction in the colon can all cause pain, which a person will typically feel as abdominal pain. Possible causes of colon-related abdominal pain include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colorectal cancer.

This article examines how disruptions in the colon may cause abdominal pain. It also looks at their causes and treatments and explains when a person should contact a doctor.

The colon is about 5 feet in length, and it circles through the abdomen and down to a person’s rectum. The colon contracts to move digested food and waste toward the rectum. In a healthy colon, these contractions are painless, and people rarely notice them.

However, irritation, inflammation, and obstructions can cause strong contractions, resulting in pain.

The colon’s winding path through the abdomen can mean that a person feels pain throughout this area of the body if they experience colon disruptions.

However, it is also possible to feel pain only in a specific spot. Some people may also feel pain in the rectum, just above the anus. This pain may feel sharp and stabbing or dull and aching.

Several medical conditions and temporary digestive issues can cause abdominal pain.

Constipation

When stool is too large or hard, it cannot comfortably pass out of the colon and rectum. This can cause abdominal pain and pain near the rectum and anus.

Sometimes, hard stools can cause tears in the lining of the anus, known as anal fissures. People with anal fissures may experience bleeding and pain with bowel movements.

People with constipation may need to make certain dietary adjustments to help soften the stool and allow it to pass more easily. These include:

• consuming high fiber fruits and vegetables
• talking with a doctor about fiber supplements
• drinking plenty of water

Certain medications can also cause constipation. A person with medication-related constipation should talk with a doctor if this side effect is causing them distress.

Learn more about constipation.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea has several possible causes, including hypercontractility. This term refers to the colon contracting too often, causing watery or loose stools three or more times a day. It has a variety of possible causes, ranging from food intolerances to viruses and bacteria.

Learn more about the different causes of diarrhea.

These fast contractions may cause abdominal pain and cramping. Loose stools may also irritate the anus, causing burning and stinging.

Diarrhea is often short-lived if a virus or food intolerance causes it. However, some bacteria and illnesses that cause diarrhea can be severe and potentially lead to dehydration.

Over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal medications may help treat acute diarrhea. However, parents and caregivers should consult a doctor before giving a child OTC drugs.

Learn more about what to eat when experiencing diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome

IBS is a digestive condition with symptoms that often affect the colon. IBS can cause stomach pain and cramping, usually around the time of a bowel movement.

IBS may also cause:

• gas and bloating
• constipation
• diarrhea
• mucus in the stool

Learn more about the symptoms of IBS.

No single diet or medication can cure all cases of IBS, but various lifestyle adjustments may help. These include:

• eating more fiber
• avoiding gluten and other known trigger foods
• following a low FODMAP diet
• practicing stress management techniques
• keeping a food diary to identify triggers

Diverticular disease

Diverticulosis is a condition in which the colon forms small pouches, or sacs, in its walls. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, it affects more than 30% of adults aged 50–59 years in the United States and more than 70% of those older than 80 years.

If any of these sacs become inflamed or infected, which is known as diverticulitis, this can cause pain, bleeding, and other symptoms.

In addition to abdominal pains, diverticulitis can cause:

• loose stools or diarrhea
• cramping in the lower abdomen
• blood in the stool
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting

Having regular bowel movements reduces the risk of developing diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Adopting a high fiber diet, exercising often, and staying hydrated can help promote regular bowel movements.

People who have symptoms of diverticulitis should see a doctor. In rare cases, diverticulitis can lead to serious complications.

Learn more about diverticular disease.

Colitis

Colitis refers to a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the colon. These conditions include:

• Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves chronic colon inflammation with ulcers or sores.
• Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is another type of IBD. A person with Crohn’s disease will experience inflammation that can affect the entire digestive tract.
• Infectious colitis: In this condition, bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause irritation and swelling of the colon.
• Ischemic colitis: Ischemic colitis causes reduced blood flow to the colon, which may result in pain and damage.
• Radiation colitis: Undergoing radiation therapy for cancer sometimes causes radiation colitis.
• Microscopic colitis: In microscopic colitis, the inflammation is only visible upon microscopic examination of tissue samples.

Colitis can cause pain in the abdominal area. It may also cause:

• bleeding in the rectum
• an urgency around bowel movements
• fever
• unintentional weight loss
• fatigue
• nutritional deficiencies
• mucus and blood in the stool
• diarrhea or constipation

A person may need medications, IV fluids, or antibiotics to treat colitis. Severe colitis sometimes requires surgery.

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum. It is the third most common cancer diagnosis in the U.S., excluding skin cancer.

Colorectal cancer can cause abdominal pain near the area of the colon, as well as:

• changes in bowel movements, such as constipation or diarrhea
• bright red blood in the stool
• an urgency to have bowel movements that then do not provide relief
• dark stool
• fatigue
• unexplained weight loss

It is important to note that many people with colorectal cancer do not experience symptoms right away. Undergoing a colonoscopy is the best way to detect colorectal cancer early.

Colorectal cancer treatment may include medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Learn more about colorectal cancer.

Abdominal pain has many possible causes, so no single test or exam can confirm a diagnosis.

A doctor may initially suggest making dietary changes for mild symptoms. They may also carry out procedures to examine the colon, such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Sometimes, people may also need blood tests, stool tests, or CT scans.

A doctor will consider a person’s symptoms and medical history before recommending further tests.

The treatment for abdominal pain depends on its cause.

After a person receives a diagnosis, they may need to make dietary or lifestyle changes, such as:

• consuming more dietary fiber
• avoiding foods that irritate the colon
• quitting smoking, if applicable

Medications, surgery, or other procedures may also be necessary in some cases.

People with abdominal pain should speak with a doctor if pain or bowel changes last longer than a few days.

Most pain in this area of the body is due to temporary digestive trouble. However, it is best to speak with a doctor to rule out serious medical conditions, such as IBD or colon cancer.

Abdominal pain and colon disruptions are not always a sign of something serious. Most of the time, certain foods or even stress can cause digestive trouble that will eventually go away on its own.

However, a person with ongoing pain or any other problems with the bowel should speak with a doctor to determine the cause and whether treatment is necessary.

Pain in Colon: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Colon pain can feel like gas, bloating, or stomach pain. You may also feel tired, constipated, or have diarrhea. Various gastrointestinal disorders can cause colon pain.

The colon is part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive tract. After food has been broken down in the stomach and absorbed in the small intestine, indigestible food matter is passed through the colon.

The colon is responsible for absorbing any leftover water, salts, and vitamins from food matter and condensing it into fecal matter.

The fecal matter is then passed from the sigmoid colon into the rectum, where it’s held before being excreted as waste.

Read on to learn about what colon pain may feel like, what can cause it, and how it’s treated.

Symptoms of colon disorders typically include:

• abdominal pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• gas
• bloating
• cramping
• fatigue

The colon is prone to inflammation and inflammatory disorders that can be triggered by:

• diet
• stress
• lifestyle
• medications

When your colon is healthy, it will efficiently remove the waste your body no longer needs. However, when your colon is unhealthy, it can result in a variety of painful problems. The most common disorders of the colon are inflammatory bowel diseases such as:

• ulcerative colitis, which causes pain in the sigmoid colon—the final part of the large intestine that leads to the rectum.
• Crohn’s disease, which typically causes pain around the belly button or on the lower right side of the abdomen
• diverticulitis, which causes sigmoid colon pain
• irritable bowel syndrome, which most frequently causes pain in the lower left abdomen
• colorectal cancer, which rarely causes abdominal pain

Inflammatory bowel diseases are triggered or aggravated by a poor diet. In fact, up to 70 percent of the risk for colorectal cancer — the third most deadly form of cancer in the United States — can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as healthy eating.

Reduce your intake of certain foods

The first step in treating colon pain is to modify your diet to see if you can reduce inflammation and find relief. Certain foods contribute more to inflammation, including:

• red meat
• fried foods
• refined sugar and processed carbohydrates
• alcohol
• coffee

Adjust your lifestyle

The second step in treating colon pain is to make other lifestyle changes, eliminating behaviors that adversely affect colon health, such as:

• cigarette smoking
• excessive sitting/sedentary work environment
• lack of exercise

Reconsider medications

The third step is to review medications you take. If possible, stop using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen which can increase inflammation and affect the intestinal lining. Your doctor can recommend alternatives.

Eat more fiber

Dietary fiber speeds up the process of waste elimination, helping to cut down on constipation and inflammation. Without enough roughage to keep the bowel moving, stools can become hard and painful. With enough fiber, your colon reduces the strain and pressure it exerts on the abdomen and veins, reducing the risk of:

• hernias
• hemorrhoids
• varicose veins
• colon cancer
• obesity
• high blood pressure

Some healthy sources of dietary fiber to consider introducing to your diet are:

• bran
• cereals
• fruits
• vegetables
• nuts and seeds

Drink more water

Dehydration can contribute to hard, painful stools and slow, blocked bowel movements. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommend drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day to maintain proper hydration.

Get more exercise

A high-stress or sedentary lifestyle can aggravate the colon, so it’s important to find ways to relax and take time to let your body get the exercise it needs to stay functioning properly. A 2009 study found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of diverticulitis in men by up to 37 percent.

Surgery

In extreme cases, surgery is an option for relieving colon pain.

Remember that anything you eat has an impact on your body. Eating the typical western diet rich in fats and sugar and low in fiber adds to inflammation, constipation, and pain that can trigger uncomfortable bowel diseases. Drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and vegetables, and cutting down on alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and processed foods can help improve symptoms if you are currently experiencing pain.

According to the CDC, regular screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer. So, if you are 50 years old or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened for colon cancer. Most colorectal cancers are curable, provided they are discovered early and treated immediately.

You can connect to a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.

Diseases of the colon

Symptoms of diseases of the colon

Diseases of the colon are initially accompanied by vague symptoms that most people do not attach importance to. This may be a burning sensation, discomfort in the intestines, periodic secretion of mucus – those signs with which the patient is unlikely to turn to a proctologist. In the future, pain, swelling, discharge from the anus and other symptoms appear. A big mistake is to put off going to the doctor and self-medicate.

The intestine is the only organ that simultaneously belongs to two important systems of the body: the immune and gastrointestinal tract. Here are some non-obvious symptoms that may suggest bowel disease:

• sudden weight loss;
• weakness in the body;
• disturbances in metabolic and hormonal processes;
• hair loss.

These signs are accompanied by severe lesions: cancer, malignant tumors, polyposis. But more often, more obvious symptoms indicate pathological processes in the large intestine:

• constipation;
• pains of varying intensity in the abdomen;
• spotting on bowel movements;
• discharge of clear or purulent mucus;
• anemia;
• flatulence;
• intestinal obstruction;
• stool disorder;
• tenesmus;
• incontinence.

Constipation

Constipation makes it difficult or impossible to empty the bowels for several days. This can be a constant problem that even laxatives cannot solve. Constipation can alternate with stool disorder – a common picture in irritable bowel syndrome, dysbacteriosis, and functional disorders.
The intensity of pain depends on the type of constipation: atonic or spastic. In the first case, the pain is aching, often not aggressive. With spastic constipation, the patient may complain of constant pain in the groin. If constipation occurs frequently, fecal blockages or intestinal obstruction may appear – life-threatening conditions.

Pain in the abdomen

Pain in the abdomen and groin may indicate organic and functional disorders in the large intestine. In Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, these are painful spastic contractions that radiate to the lumbar region and the outer side of the legs. It is difficult to determine the source of pain: it seems to spread along the lower abdomen.

Persistent pain is a sign of a progressive inflammatory process. Such pains are aching, pulling, steady. Manifested with irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, diverticulosis. May indicate peritonitis or purulent lesion.

Spotting and bleeding

Bleeding occurs in diseases of the rectum and colon. Usually, the color of the blood can reveal the site of the lesion: the brighter the blood, the closer the lesion is to the exit. Clear, bright red blood indicates internal or external hemorrhoids. Significant blood loss can cause weakness, dizziness.

If the fecal masses are homogeneous and contain uniform bloody impurities, this is a sign of a tumor in the upper intestines. Sometimes such masses occur with nonspecific colitis and diverticulosis. The higher the section of the lesion, the more uniform the blood clots in the feces and the darker their color.

In Crohn’s disease, blood may come out clear or in large clots. In some cases, red blood can be a sign of a decaying tumor in the intestine.

Discharge of mucus or pus

Such discharge may be permanent or appear with a bowel movement. They may indicate:

• an anus fistula is the most common cause;
• sphincter insufficiency – if the discharge is constant and accompanied by pain, there are erosions and cracks;
• irritable bowel syndrome,
• proctitis,
• tumor formation in the sigmoid colon.

Often the discharge is combined with blood, the appearance of clots.

Pain in the anus

With deep, non-healing fissures, the pain can be aching and periodic, the patient feels fullness in the area of ​​the passage. Jerking and unbearable pains indicate a rupture of hemorrhoids or multiple nodes in the intestine. Ordinary hemorrhoids without complications do not cause pain, the patient feels fullness and swelling in the anus.

Anemia
Anemia is caused by excessive blood loss. This occurs with severe lesions of the intestine, cancer, rapid progression of the tumor.

Bloating and flatulence
A common symptom of any pathology in the gastrointestinal tract. A feeling of bloating and abundant gases is characteristic of constipation, intestinal obstruction, fecal blockages. Flatulence may be associated with enzyme deficiency and speak of disturbances in the work of other internal organs.
Bloating and flatulence are often complained by those who suffer from dysbacteriosis and do not eat properly. Sometimes bloating is accompanied by discomfort and heaviness in the stomach, with excess gas there is severe pain in the abdomen.

Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction can be complete or partial. The latter is more common, its symptoms are:

• bloating;
• pain;
• flatulence;
• prolonged constipation;
• the appearance of impurities and blood;
• vomiting;
• loss of appetite.

This may indicate severe colon damage, a life-threatening condition. When intestinal obstruction progresses, symptoms of poisoning of the body, inflammation of the peritoneum appear, a rare and scanty stool is replaced by a profuse disorder. Laxatives and cleansing enemas give only temporary relief.

Disordered stool

Diarrhea accompanies milder bowel diseases and is a common sign of dysbacteriosis. An upset stool in combination with constipation or discharge may indicate an exacerbation of colitis, IBS.

Tenesmus

Tenesmus – false urge to empty the bowel, frequent and persistent. With such urges, a small amount of mucus is separated, sometimes with diarrhea. They appear due to the excited motility of the rectum. Often the cause is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the anal region.

Incontinence

Incontinence of feces and separated gases is a consequence of congenital or acquired changes in the sphincter. Also, regulation can be disrupted due to psychological factors.

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Symptoms of diseases of the large intestine: the nature of pain and manifestation

Diseases of the large intestine do not always manifest themselves clearly and clearly. More often, the initial phase is accompanied by blurred symptoms that people do not attach importance to. This may be a burning sensation, discomfort in the intestines, periodic mucus secretion. The specificity of the intestine is that it may not give such signs for a long time that will indicate the need to visit a proctologist.
Even when a person begins to worry about pain, swelling, discharge from the anus and other symptoms, he does not rush to the doctor. At first, the patient stubbornly tries self-treatment and the means that modern advertising obsessively offers. Meanwhile, the symptoms change, become more noticeable, pains appear and are often aggressive.

Sometimes symptoms may not indirectly indicate bowel disease, the symptoms may be specific:

• sudden weight loss;
• weakness in the body;
• disturbances in metabolic and hormonal processes;
• hair loss.

These signs accompany the most severe lesions of the intestine: cancer, malignant tumors, polyposis. The intestine is the only organ that simultaneously belongs to two important systems of the body: the immune and gastrointestinal tract. For a full life and health, it is important to be able to recognize those symptoms and signs that suggest a pathological process in the large intestine:

• constipation;
• pains of varying intensity in the abdomen;
• spotting on bowel movements;
• discharge of clear or purulent mucus;
• anemia;
• flatulence;
• intestinal obstruction;
• stool disorder;
• tenesmus;
• incontinence.

Intestinal constipation
With constipation, there are difficulties with defecalization, up to the complete exclusion of stools within a few days. Constipation can be persistent and persistent, not succumbed to the action of laxatives. An upset stool can replace constipation – this is a common picture in irritable bowel syndrome, dysbacteriosis, and functional disorders.
The intensity of pain depends on the type of constipation: atonic and spastic. In the first case, the pain is aching, often not aggressive. With spastic constipation, there may be cramps in the inguinal region of a persistent nature. The presence of frequent constipation indicates the possibility of the formation of fecal blockages or intestinal obstruction. The conditions are extremely dangerous in nature, capable of threatening life.

Abdominal pain
Pain in the abdomen and groin often accompany organic and functional disorders in the large intestine. So, with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the pain is in the nature of spastic contractions. Such pains often radiate to the lumbar region, radiating along the outside of the legs. It is difficult to determine the locality, since the pain “spreads” along the lower abdomen, often involving the perineum in the process.

Constant pain – a sign of a progressive inflammatory process. Such pains are aching, pulling, steady. Manifested in IBS, various colitis, diverticulosis. The nature of the pain indicates the likelihood of developing peritonitis or a purulent lesion.

Spotting and bleeding
Bleeding occurs in diseases of the rectum and colon. Usually, the location of the lesion is visually determined by the color of the blood: the brighter the blood, the closer the lesion is to the exit. So, the appearance of clean and bright red blood indicates internal or external hemorrhoids. Sometimes blood loss can be significant and cause weakness, dizziness.

If the stools are homogeneous and contain uniform bloody impurities, then this is a symptom of the formation of a tumor in the upper intestines. Sometimes such masses occur with nonspecific colitis and diverticulosis. The higher the section of the lesion, the more uniform the blood clots in the feces will look and the darker their color.

In Crohn’s disease, blood may come out clear or in large clots. In some cases, red blood can be a sign of a decaying tumor in the intestine.

Discharge of mucus or pus
Such secretions are either permanent or appear during bowel movements. Most often, this becomes a sign of the formation of a fistula in the anus. With constant secretion of mucus and pain, sphincter insufficiency can be assumed. In this case, numerous erosions and cracks form, which brings itching and pain.

Such secretions are characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome, proctitis, with the formation of tumors in the sigmoid colon. Often the discharge is combined with blood, the appearance of clots.

Pain in the anus
Pain can be aching and periodic, arching the area of ​​​​the passage. This happens with deep cracks, they heal difficult, especially in the presence of constipation. Jerking and unbearable pains appear when hemorrhoids rupture or there are multiple nodes in the intestine. Ordinary hemorrhoids without complications do not cause such pain, it is felt only by bursting and swelling in the anus.

Anemia
Anemia develops when a person has lost a lot of blood. This occurs with severe lesions of the intestine, cancer, rapid progression of the tumor.

Bloating and flatulence
Bloating is a common symptom for almost any pathology in the gastrointestinal tract. A feeling of bloating and abundant gases is characteristic of constipation, intestinal obstruction, fecal blockages. Often flatulence is the result of enzyme deficiency and may indicate disturbances in the work of other internal organs.
Often bloating and flatulence accompany those who suffer from dysbacteriosis and do not eat properly. In some cases, bloating occurs with a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the stomach, but with an excess of gas, severe pain in the abdomen may appear.

Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction can be complete or partial. More often you have to deal with partial, which is characterized by:

• swelling;
• pain;
• flatulence;
• prolonged constipation;
• the appearance of impurities and blood;
• vomiting;
• loss of appetite.

More often this indicates a severe lesion of the large intestine of organic origin. The condition is extremely painful and dangerous to human health. With progression, signs of poisoning of the body, inflammation of the peritoneum appear. With partial obstruction of the intestine, the stool is rare, scanty, often replaced by a profuse disorder.