Dolichokolon
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
- Disease stages
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Dolichocolon is a disease characterized by lengthening of one or more sections of the large intestine without changing the diameter of its cavity and without thickening the muscle layer. The consequence of this abnormal development is a violation of the evacuation function of the intestine, while the motor function does not change. The disease occurs in both adults and children.
Dolichocolon is characterized by an increase in the length of the large intestine
Causes and risk factors
Dolichocolon can be congenital or develop throughout life. The emergence of a congenital dolichocolon is facilitated by a number of factors that affect the fetus during prenatal development:
- bad habits of the mother;
- exposure of a pregnant woman to certain chemicals;
- infectious diseases transferred during pregnancy.
The risk of dolichocolon is increased with a burdened family history.
The acquired dolichocolon may develop due to the following reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- frequent use of enemas;
- metabolic disorders;
- vegetarianism;
- transferred viral infections.
Also, the disease can occur against the background of biliary dyskinesia, dysbiosis, hemorrhoids, intestinal varicose veins.
Forms of the disease
According to the clinical principle of classification, the disease is divided as follows:
- asymptomatic dolichocolon;
- dolichocolon with impaired transit through the large intestine;
- complicated dolichocolon.
A - Hirschsprung's disease, b - idiopathic megacolon, c - dolichocolon
Depending on the part of the intestine involved in the pathological process, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:
- dolichosigma;
- right-sided dolichocolon;
- left-sided dolichocolon;
- dolichotransversum;
- total dolichocolon;
- subtotal dolichocolon.
Disease stages
In the clinical picture of dolichocolon, three stages are distinguished:
- Compensated.
- Subcompensated.
- Decompensated.
Symptoms
With asymptomatic dolichocolone, there are no specific manifestations of the disease.
The most common symptoms of dolichocolon are:
- regular constipation;
- pain in the abdomen, aggravated by physical exertion and prolonged standing in an upright position;
- headaches;
- decreased appetite;
- bloating, flatulence;
- painful sensations during bowel movements;
- feeling of incomplete bowel movement.
Signs of dolichocolon - regular constipation and abdominal pain
For a complicated dolichocolon, periodic development of intestinal volvulus, nodule formation and the resulting intestinal obstruction is characteristic.
Diagnostics
The primary diagnosis of dolichocolon includes anamnesis and manual examination methods (palpation). To clarify the diagnosis and exclude other intestinal pathologies, the following hardware and laboratory methods are used:
- double contrast irrigoscopy;
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy;
- proctography;
- colonoscopy;
- ultrasound and tomographic examination of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity;
- sphincterometry, electromyometry;
- general blood analysis;
- analysis of feces for occult blood; etc.
For the diagnosis of dolichocolon, double-contrast irrigoscopy is indicated
It is necessary to carry out differential diagnosis of dolichocolon with a number of diseases with similar symptoms, namely:
- with intestinal neoplasms;
- with megacolon;
- with Hirschsprung's disease;
- with inflammatory processes in the intestines;
- with ischemic colitis;
- with medication constipation.
Treatment
The choice of treatment tactics depends on the form and stage of the dolichocolon.
The asymptomatic form of the disease does not require specific treatment methods. The patient is advised to adhere to preventive measures to prevent possible complications.
With an established diagnosis of dolichocolon with the presence of obvious disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, drug and (or) surgical treatment can be prescribed. Complex step-by-step therapy is preferred. In some cases, it is carried out in a hospital setting.
Drug treatment consists of taking laxatives, vitamin complexes. In the presence of severe pain sensations, they are stopped with analgesic and antispasmodic drugs.
For severe abdominal pain, antispasmodics and analgesics are indicated.
The main treatment can be supplemented with phytotherapy, physiotherapy methods (laser therapy, acupuncture), and physical therapy. Siphon enemas may be prescribed to speed up the bowel movement. You also need to follow a diet: you should stop eating sweets, legumes, rice, potatoes, canned food and fried foods.
If the patient is in a serious condition or there is no effect of drug therapy, surgical intervention is indicated by the method of laparoscopy or laparotomy. After the operation, patients are subject to dispensary observation with a frequency of examinations in the first year after surgical treatment - once every 6 months, subsequently - once a year.
Possible complications and consequences
In the absence of the necessary treatment, dolichocolon can lead to intestinal obstruction, inhibition of the defecation reflex, intoxication of the body, inflammatory diseases, and the development of intestinal neoplasms.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
To prevent the development of the disease, as well as to reduce the risk of possible relapses and complications in patients with dolichocolon, it is recommended to observe a number of preventive measures, which include:
- an active lifestyle, regular and sufficient physical activity;
- normalization of the diet;
- drinking enough water;
- giving up the habit of suppressing bowel movements;
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
In order to avoid the development of the congenital form of the disease in the fetus, pregnant women are advised to abandon bad habits, to avoid the influence of adverse environmental factors on the body.
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Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
