Colon Pain Symptoms and How to Relieve Them

Symptoms of colon pain might include cramping, sharp or dull abdominal pain, bloating, or changes in bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhea. The causes of these symptoms range from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and infections like gastroenteritis to more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer.

Relief from colon pain could involve dietary changes like avoiding hard-to-digest foods, or medications that target the underlying cause. Because there are so many possibilities, it's important to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. See a provider right away if you have concerning symptoms like unexplained weight loss or bloody stool.

What Does Colon Pain Feel Like?

Colon pain can show up in different ways depending on what's causing it. How the pain feels and where it's felt might provide some clues about the cause.

That said, symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions often overlap, which can make it tricky to know what's going on without the help of a healthcare provider.

Colon-related pain may be described by its:

• Onset: Colon pain may be sudden, rapid, or gradual in onset. It may begin within seconds and increase in severity over several minutes. Or, it may start slowly and become more severe over hours to days.
• Progression: Colon pain may feel better over time, or it may get worse. The pain may come and go in intervals or episodes, or it may be more constant and steady.
• Migration: Some types of colon pain may shift from one area of the abdomen to another.
• Character: Colon pain may be cramping, dull, sharp, or aching. It may be described as a wringing, burning, pressure, or stabbing pain.
• Intensity: Because pain tolerance varies between individuals, pain is best measured by your reaction to it. For example, mild pain may not interfere with your daily activities, whereas more severe pain may cause you to stop what you're doing and stay as still as possible.
• Referred pain: Colon pain is usually felt in the abdomen, although it can occasionally radiate to the lower back, pelvic area, flank, or chest.
  
• Accompanying symptoms: Other symptoms that might accompany colon pain include nausea and vomiting, gas and bloating, fever and chills, tarry or bloody stools, diarrhea, or constipation.

Since many of these symptoms can arise from issues with other abdominal organs (such as the liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, and uterus), it’s important to discuss your pain and symptoms with a healthcare provider.

It can also be helpful to keep track of your symptoms in a notebook. Use the list of possible symptoms above to guide your notes, writing down as many details about the sensations you feel as you can.

Colon Pain Causes and Symptoms

Colon pain may be caused by the following gastrointestinal conditions:

• Constipation: This is the most common cause of colon pain, marked by infrequent and hard-to-pass stools. Symptoms often include lower abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.
• Diarrhea: Diarrhea involves frequent, loose, and watery stools. It may also cause cramping, urgency, and pain in the lower abdomen.
• Gastroenteritis: Also called "stomach flu," gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually due to infection. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and pain throughout the abdomen.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This common disorder affects the colon and causes abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea.
• Irritable bowel disease (IBD): This group of inflammatory conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. IBD pain is often felt in the lower abdomen.
• Hemorrhoids: These large, bulging blood vessels can form in and around the anus and at the bottom of the colon. They can cause pain, anal itching, and rectal bleeding.
• Diverticular disease: Diverticula are small pouches that form in the colon wall. Inflamed diverticula is called diverticulitis. It can cause colon pain that is often felt in the lower left side of the abdomen, as well as fever and changes in bowel habits.
• Colitis: This term refers to inflammation of the colon. Colitis can be caused by various conditions, including infection and irritable bowel disease. Colitis symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
• Microscopic colitis: This condition involves inflammation of the colon that is only visible under a microscope. It causes chronic diarrhea and mild discomfort, typically felt in the lower abdomen.
• Colonic ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the colon is called colonic ischemia. It's usually caused by low blood pressure and may cause sudden abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
• Colorectal polyps: These growths on the colon lining are often benign (non-cancerous) but can become cancerous. Some colorectal polyps are symptomless. Rarely, larger polyps can cause abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits.
• Inguinal hernia: This groin hernia occurs when fat or part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. It can cause discomfort or pain in the groin and lower abdomen, especially if it becomes strangulated.
• Colonic volvulus: A colon volvulus occurs when the colon twists, leading to colon obstruction and loss of blood flow (ischemia). Other symptoms might include severe abdominal pain, constipation, and abdominal distention (swelling).
• Toxic megacolon: This rare but life-threatening condition occurs when the colon swells and dilates. It may occur as a complication of inflammatory bowel disease or infection and can cause severe abdominal pain and distention.
• Colorectal cancer: This cancer forms in the colon or rectum. It is often asymptomatic in early stages, but may cause constipation, rectal bleeding, and abdominal discomfort as it progresses.
• Colon obstruction: A blockage in the colon can be caused by colon cancer, diverticular disease, volvulus, hernias, or something else. It can result in gas, crampy abdominal pain, bloating, and an inability to pass gas or stool.
• Colon perforation: A colon perforation is a hole in the colon wall, often caused by severe inflammation or obstruction. If bacteria leak through, it can lead to peritonitis. This life-threatening infection results in severe abdominal pain. There may also be signs of shock, such as fever, and pain throughout the abdomen.

How to Relieve Colon Pain

The best way to treat a painful, irritated colon is to address the underlying cause. This may include diet and lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, or alternative therapies.

Diet and Lifestyle

Your provider may recommend a change in diet or lifestyle to relief symptoms or manage any underlying gastrointestinal conditions. Your provider may recommend you to:

• Adjust fiber intake: Your healthcare provider may advise you to eat more fiber for constipation or less fiber for diarrhea. Increased fiber intake may also relieve pain due to hemorrhoids and diverticular disease.
• Low-residue diet: This is another name for a low-fiber diet. The diet is sometimes recommended for people with colitis or diverticular disease to ease stress on the colon.
• Hydration: Ample hydration is always important, but it's crucial for managing diarrhea and constipation. It also prevents dehydration due to IBS and gastroenteritis.
• Low-FODMAP diet: This diet focuses on limiting FODMAP foods, which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and create gas in the colon. FODMAPs to avoid include dairy-based milk products, beans and lentils, and some vegetables like onions and garlic.
• BRAT diet: BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is often recommended to ease symptoms of diarrhea and gastroenteritis.
• Avoid trigger foods: Avoid eating spicy, fatty, or processed foods, particularly if you have colitis, IBS, or gastroenteritis.
• Gluten-free diet: A gluten-free diet is essential for treating celiac disease.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity improves overall digestive health and can help reduce constipation and bloating.
• Stress management: Some conditions, including IBS and IBD, are exacerbated by stress. Practice stress management techniques regularly, like yoga and deep breathing.
• Weight management: Weight loss is sometimes recommended for people with overweight or obesity to help improve digestive health. Weight loss can also help relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids and hernias.

Certain foods may be particularly helpful for soothing the colon, including:

• Applesauce
• Canned fruit
• Oatmeal
• Plain chicken turkey, or fish
• Cooked eggs or egg substitutes
• Mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles
• Sourdough bread

Some dietary changes, like a low-residue or low-FODMAP diet, can lead to nutritional deficiencies if done improperly. Always be sure to consult a healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your diet.

Medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend or prescribe one of these medications to manage symptoms:

• Laxatives: These medications are used to treat constipation. Osmotic laxatives draw water into the stool, making it easier to pass, while stimulant laxatives stimulate muscles in the colon to move stool through the digestive tract.
• Anti-diarrheal drugs: Diarrhea related to gastroenteritis, IBS, or IBD may be treated with these drugs, which slow gut motility, or the movement of the gut, giving stool more time to bulk up.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Inflammatory bowel conditions, such as IBD, may be treated with corticosteroids for inflammation.
• Antibiotics: Bacterial infections, like those related to diverticulitis or bacterial gastroenteritis, may require antibiotic medications.
• Immunosuppressants: For long-term management of IBD, your provider may prescribe immune-suppressing medications to help reduce inflammation.
• Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help relieve pain in many conditions.
• Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy and/or radiation may be utilized to treat colorectal cancer.
• Antispasmodics: These medications work by reducing spasms, or cramps. They are commonly prescribed to people with IBS to relieve cramps and pain.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat an underlying condition and provide long-term relief from colon pain:

• Hernial repair: Inguinal hernias and colon volvulus are caused by structural issues that can be repaired via surgery.
• Resection surgery: Sections of the colon may need to be resected, or removed, to treat colorectal cancer, severe or refractory cases of diverticulitis, or IBD. This procedure is called colectomy.
• Colostomy or ileostomy: These procedures involve creating an opening in the abdomen (stoma) to bypass the colon and allow stool to exit the body. They're typically needed in severe cases of IBD, colorectal cancer, or colon perforation.
• Endoscopic polyp removal: Large, painful, or suspicious polyps can be removed via a minimally invasive procedure called a polypectomy. While it is not a traditional surgery, it still involves conscious sedation through an IV, and in rare cases, general anesthesia.
  

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies are rarely the sole treatment for colon pain or underlying gastrointestinal conditions. But they may help relieve symptoms and improve overall digestive health:

• Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote a healthy balance of gut flora. Probiotic supplements or a probiotic-rich diet may be recommended for IBS, gastroenteritis, and sometimes IBD to improve gut health.
• Biofeedback: This therapy uses sensors to help people with chronic constipation learn to control their pelvic muscles and improve coordination during bowel movements.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been proven to help relieve symptoms of IBS, IBD, and other chronic pain conditions.
• Talk therapy: Certain gastrointestinal conditions, especially IBS and IBD, involve flares that may be triggered by stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a popular talk therapy that is proven to reduce stress and associated flare-ups.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider at once if you experience any of the following:

• Pain that is severe, persistent, or getting worse
• Prolonged constipation or diarrhea
• Pain or discomfort while swallowing
• Narrow, pencil-thin, or pellet-like stools
• Stools that look bloody or tarry (like coffee grounds)
• Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, or reduced urination
• New or worsening pain after abdominal surgery
• Unexplained or extreme weight loss
• Family history of colorectal cancer, IBD, or other gastrointestinal disorders

Signs of some life-threatening conditions, like colorectal cancer, can be subtle and easily confused for other conditions. For this reason, it's always best to have any new or unusual symptoms or changes in bowel habits evaluated by a provider.

Summary

Pain in the colon can be caused by a variety of conditions, which could be either acute (short term or sudden onset) or chronic (ongoing). For pain that goes on for more than a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms like constipation or diarrhea, seeing a healthcare professional for treatment is important.

The treatment used will depend on the reason for the abdominal pain. In some cases, pain management, diet and lifestyle changes, or surgery might be part of the plan.