The pain of volvulus can be excruciating. Volvulus is the medical term for a twisted colon. This occurs when a portion of the colon is twisted normally around a bowel creating a type of barrier. What pain this causes.
One main factor in a cecal volvulus is a possible lack of fiber in nutritional intake. Some other possibilities include pathogenic organisms, constant constipation, some type of nutritional deficiency or toxins in your colon. When a cecal volvulus or twisted colon occurs it can also present problems such as constrictions, ballooning and prolapses that should not be happening in the colon.
The two types of twisted colons are: Sigmoid volvulus and cecal volvulus respectively.
Sigmoid Volvulus
Background: This is the most common type of volvulus and is responsible for eight percent of all intestinal impediments. Sigmoid volvulus is very common in the elderly. What pain these patients have include distension, more abdominal pain and total constipation. Some factors that may predispose one to getSigmoid Volvulus include a propensation to have constipation a lot, a large colon or a very active colon. The problem is usually found through radiographs. For treatment a stiff tube may be inserted into the rectum and an endoscopy or fluoroscopy may be performed. Sigmoid Volvulus can lead to death if not treated.
Cecal Volvulus
In Cecal Volvulus the twisted bowel is usually located in the higher colon near the ileocecal valve. The pain level is very high. A partial rotation of this valve is required for Cecal Volvulus to occur. There is a high death rate with this type of colon issue so early diagnosis and treatment is extremely important. If left untreated this could lead to perforation of the colon and possible gangrene.