Frequent diarrhea and constipation could be alarming if it is already perennial. The common cause of these conditions is usually the type of food you eat. It can be due to too much fats or meals with too little fiber. However, these can be easily handled by changing the diet of an individual. Taking low fat diets and enriching your food intake with fibrous foods or fiber supplements should cure the condition.

But if diarrhea and constipation occurs frequently, it is time that you consult your health care provider as this can be caused by other diseases especially colo-rectal diseases. If bleeding occurs, it should not be blamed immediately on hemorrhoids since other health conditions can also cause bleeding when passing stool. Knowing the root cause of the problem can only be done by a qualified medical practitioner at a clinic or hospital.

A common procedure that can be used to diagnose these health conditions is by using sigmoidoscopy. It is one of the physical examination that is vital in determining the actual condition of the colon and rectal area. As a minimally invasive medical examination of the large intestine from the rectum through the last part of the colon, sigmoidoscopy is one of the effective tools used in screening a lot of diseases including cancer of the colon and rectum.

There are two types of sigmoidoscopy, the flexible sigmoidoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy. The flexible sigmoidoscopy is more popular since it uses a flexible endoscope. The procedure is different from colonoscopy since it only examines the last part of the colon or the sigmoid area. Through this procedure, many health conditions in the lower bowel are identified by the doctor. Some of which are intestinal bleeding, inflammation, abnormal growths, and ulcers in the descending colon and rectum.

In performing the examination, the doctor uses a tube called sigmoidoscope. The procedure is almost similar with colonoscopy. The patient is required to lie on his or her left side on the examining table. The tube is inserted into the rectum up to the lower bowel and then gathers images from those areas. To help the doctor make a thorough examination, air is used to inflate the organs. Discomfort will be felt but it is tolerable like the pressure felt and mild cramping in the lower abdomen. Patients should not worry since this will disappear after the procedure. Complications of undergoing this procedure are rare. Puncture of the colon may happen which may be accompanied by severe bleeding but these seldom happens.

After the sigmoidoscopy, your doctor should be able to determine the exact cause of the frequent diarrhea and constipation. The treatment could vary depending on your health record. Taking laxatives can be part of the medication. But if the symptoms still exists, further examination is needed and the use of other diagnostic procedures should be undertaken by your doctor. Diarrhea and constipation can also contribute to the onset of other hemorrhoids symptoms.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS