Going to the "bowel doctor" is still considered rather uncomfortable. However, thanks to the modern, gentle method of endoscopy, the fear of bowel examinations is unfounded.
Endoscopic colonoscopy guarantees a gentle "bowel walk" without any incisions. A thin tube is inserted into the bowel through the anus. Using a small camera and a light source, the doctor can examine the inside of the bowel in detail.
Tiny instruments can also be inserted through the tube. This allows the doctor to take tissue samples or remove any existing intestinal polyps directly, making a separate operation unnecessary.
Bowel polyps can degenerate over the years and eventually cause bowel cancer. If these growths are detected and removed early enough, the risk of bowel cancer is eliminated. Thanks to constantly improving technology, there are ever better ways of removing tumors from the inside.
The examination itself is child's play: the patient slips into a dream world thanks to a gentle anaesthetic, wakes up again after about half an hour - and has noticed absolutely nothing.
The bowel can be carefully examined from the inside using a colonoscopy © phonlamaiphoto | AdobeStock
Blood in the stool can indicate the following diseases.
Anal fissure
Wounds in the anal canal that occur spontaneously. It is not yet known exactly why the mucous membrane tears, but anal fissures are benign and easy to treat thanks to laser therapy. Nitro ointments can also help.
Angieodysplasia
Congenital vascular malformations that can bleed. An experienced doctor can easily stop them.
However, these malformations, which sometimes also cause more severe bleeding, can be eliminated by means of laser treatment.
Intestinal polyps
Thickenings of the mucous membrane that can be precursors of bowel cancer and should therefore not be underestimated. It is important for gastroenterologists to detect and remove them at an early stage.
This is why men and women are constantly called upon to undergo a bowel examination from the age of 40 at the latest.
Colon polyps are a precancerous condition and can be completely removed by colonoscopy © Alex | AdobeStock
Hemorrhoids
Very common blood clots that can "burst" and cause blood in the stool. They only need to be treated if they lead to constant bleeding or if the symptoms affect the patient (itching or increased moisture). As a rule, it is sufficient to ensure that you have a soft and formed bowel movement.
Only if the hemorrhoids fall out with every bowel movement or repeatedly lead to bleeding are they treated by ligation.
It is important for those affected to be extremely clean by showering and drying themselves with a soft terry towel. Hemorrhoids, including the colon, should be examined by a specialist.
Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, which is divided into three major groups:
- Autoimmune gastritis (A-gastritis): autoimmune diseases are disorders of the immune system. They are predisposed to gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma. Autoimmune gastritis is caused by inflammation of the stomach lining. The disease means that the important vitamin B 12 can no longer be absorbed. In the past, when B12 could not be injected, people often died from it.
- Bacterial gastritis (B gastritis): Mostly or almost always caused by Heliocobacter bacteria. These bacteria can be combated well, so that this form of gastritis has a good chance of recovery. B gastritis is associated with duodenal and stomach ulcers and can also cause stomach cancer.
- Chemically-toxic gastritis (C gastritis): This can be caused by smoking, reflux disease or medication, among other things.
There are also other, but rarer, forms of gastritis.
Gastric bleeding
Fortunately, gastric bleeding is becoming increasingly rare because medication is improving and people are getting it earlier and earlier. The causes are mostly stomach ulcers, stomach tumors, vascular malformations and other, rarer causes.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome
Tears in the mucous membrane caused by frequent burping due to fatty food and alcohol. Generally harmless, but definitely needs clarification!
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is usually an inflammation caused by a virus that leads to short-term discomfort and malaise. They usually heal spontaneously.
Messenteric infarction
If a section of the small or large intestine is no longer supplied with blood, this leads to an infarction of the mesentery. This can be caused by blockage of a vessel due to arteriosclerosis or an embolism.
A rapid and comprehensive diagnosis is of the utmost importance here. Only then can life-saving treatment be initiated. Otherwise the patient could die from the accumulated toxins.
Pseudomembranous colitis
An inflammation caused by the toxin produced by bacteria - also known as "Clostridium difficile". This inflammation almost always occurs after antibiotic therapy. Endoscopy reveals the disease, which looks like a cap on the mucous membrane.
Ulcerative colitis
Chronic inflammation of the large intestine, the causes of which have not yet been fully clarified. Ulcerative colitis can be attenuated or even slowed down by medication.
Crohn's disease
Chronic inflammation that can occur in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. However, Crohn's disease usually affects the lowest sections of the small intestine and the large intestine.
The disease cannot be cured, but can be influenced by medication.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two different forms of chronic inflammatory bowel disease © bilderzwerg | AdobeStock
Diverticulitis
An inflammation that affects the section of the intestine where the diverticula are located. In Germany, more than 50 percent of people have diverticula. Diverticulitis can range from harmless to fatal. As a rule, diverticulitis is treated with conservative therapy (flushing the bowel to remove diverticula and antibiotics).
Vasculitis
An inflammation of the blood vessels that often occurs in immune diseases. The gastrointestinal tract can also be involved. Vasculitis can be severe, but is quite rare.
