Consequences of a colonectomy | The removal of the colon

Consequences of a colonectomy

After removal of the colon, patients often complain of liquefaction of the stool to diarrhea, as the function of the colon to thicken the stool is now gone. In addition, the intestine is shortened, so that a shorter intestinal passage is present. As a result, those affected have to stop defecation more often, which means that some patients can no longer sleep through the night.

After a removal of the colon, a certain change in diet should be made. Another problem can be inflammation in the area of the anus. In some cases, however, the tasks of the colon can be compensated for by the small intestine. However, this may take some time for the small intestine to adapt to changing conditions. From the age of 40 onwards, however, a change in the small intestine is hardly possible.

Measures to avoid complaints

It is especially important to pay attention to hygiene after bowel movements. Gentle cleaning agents after the bowel movement are completely sufficient. To protect the skin around the anus, it is sufficient to cream it with a care lotion.

You should also make sure to take regular sitz baths to help the affected skin areas to regenerate. In addition, regular blood count checks should take place to prevent deficiency symptoms, because the body loses more minerals and salts. It is important for the patients to avoid complaints by avoiding carbonated drinks.

A good diet for patients without a colon includes above all a sufficient supply of fluids. This is because the elimination of the colon means that the stool thickens more poorly and those affected lose much more fluid. Patients should therefore drink about 3 liters a day.

With the nutrition it is to be paid attention to the fact that the digestion of plants and with difficulty splittable strength, is now substantially more difficult. This is especially the case with raw vegetables, raw potatoes, grains and seeds. At the beginning of the diet the stools are still very liquid or soft.

The normal stool form, on the other hand, only returns after half a year to a year. Then the stool is firmer and the stool frequency is 3-5 times a day. In order to achieve thicker stools, it is helpful to eat swelling, stuffing food.

These include rice, grated apples, boiled potatoes, rice gruel, gruel, oatmeal, oatmeal, but also bananas. Swelling foods are flea seeds, wheat bran, oat bran and pectins. Basically, a light whole food diet is recommended while achieving a normal weight.

It is important to avoid foods that often lead to flatulence and intolerance, such as cabbage, pulses, mushrooms, cucumbers, acidic foods, carbonated beverages and also fresh fruit, salads, raw vegetables, peas, beans, tomatoes. Besides there are special tables, which list frequent food with different characteristics such as bloating or flatulence-inhibiting effect, stuffing or laxative effect, and smell-inhibiting or smell-promoting characteristics. So the concerned person can orientate himself well, which food is straight advantageous. In order to avoid a vitamin deficiency, especially of vitamin B12, the vitamin should be sprayed regularly. Because Vitamin B12 is usually taken up in the large intestine.