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Why Do I Have Occurrences of a Twisted Colon?

The colon’s main function is to absorb water, salts and partially digested food and then sends waste out of the body. When there is an abnormal twisting of the colon, it is often called volvulus. The adult colon is about 5 feet long. Twists in the colon are more common in men, and in people older than 60, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC).

  1. Lack of Fiber

    • Adequate fiber intake is critical to keeping your digestive track healthy. Lack of fiber can not only contribute to a twisted colon, but also other disorders such as iverticulosis, diverticulitis, spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, constipation and colon cancer. Chronic constipation can cause the intestine to be overstretched, making it easy to twist around itself.

    Post Surgery

    • Some twists can occur following surgery such as bypass surgery or cesarean section. Surgery can leave scar tissue which may end up obstructing part of your colon and cause a twist.

    Other Reasons

    • Multiple occurrences of a twisted colon may be the result of congenital abnormalities, or one that developed during the growth of the fetus. (The colon is formed during the first 3 months of embryonic development, according to the NDDIC) Other problems develop with age. Additional risk factors include Hirschsprung disease, intestinal pseudo-obstructions and an enlarged colon.

    Symptoms

    • A twisted colon can be very painful. You may experience constipation, abdominal pain, bloody stools, vomiting, nausea and shock. Some people develop symptoms slowly such as crampy abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, lack of passing gas and abdominal distention. A twisted colon can be diagnosed with x-rays, an upper GI test, CT scans, colonoscopy and other tests.

    Treatment

    • It’s important to seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms of a twisted colon, especially if it has happened before. If the bowel is twisted tightly enough, strangulation may occur and blood flow is cut off. Once this happens, gangrene develops quickly and may cause a hole in the bowel. This is life-threatening. According to the NDDIC, a sigmoidoscope, “a tube used to look into the sigmoid colon and rectum, can be used to reach the site, untwist the colon, and release the obstruction.” In cases where the colon is twisted very tightly, or the blood supply is threatened, it is an emergency situation.

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