{"id":93149,"date":"2021-03-25T09:31:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T09:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/?p=93149"},"modified":"2023-09-28T05:00:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T05:00:51","slug":"megacolon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/","title":{"rendered":"Megacolon"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung&#8217;s disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn&#8217;s disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung&#8217;s disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"group w-full text-gray-800 dark:text-gray-100 border-b border-black\/10 dark:border-gray-900\/50 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-[#444654] sm:AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<div class=\"flex p-4 gap-4 text-base md:gap-6 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] xl:max-w-3xl md:py-6 lg:px-0 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<p>An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 dark:border-gray-900\/50 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-[#444654]\">\n<div class=\"flex p-4 gap-4 text-base md:gap-6 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] xl:max-w-3xl md:py-6 lg:px-0 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-3 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<p>A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it&#8217;s often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 dark:border-gray-900\/50 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-[#444654]\">\n<div class=\"flex p-4 gap-4 text-base md:gap-6 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] xl:max-w-3xl md:py-6 lg:px-0 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-3 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<p>Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 dark:border-gray-900\/50 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-[#444654]\">\n<div class=\"flex p-4 gap-4 text-base md:gap-6 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] xl:max-w-3xl md:py-6 lg:px-0 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-3 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<p>The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles&#8217; functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"group w-full text-token-text-primary border-b border-black\/10 gizmo:border-0 dark:border-gray-900\/50 gizmo:dark:border-0 bg-gray-50 gizmo:bg-transparent dark:bg-[#444654] gizmo:dark:bg-transparent sm:AIPRM__conversation__response\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-35\">\n<div class=\"p-4 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 md:py-6 m-auto\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-1 gap-4 text-base mx-auto md:gap-6 gizmo:gap-3 gizmo:md:px-5 gizmo:lg:px-1 gizmo:xl:px-5 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-[38rem] gizmo:md:max-w-3xl gizmo:lg:max-w-[40rem] gizmo:xl:max-w-[48rem] xl:max-w-3xl }\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] flex-col gap-1 gizmo:w-full md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)] agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3 max-w-full\">\n<div class=\"min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-3 overflow-x-auto whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light AIPRM__conversation__response\">\n<p>An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung&#8217;s disease.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible. Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-m"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung&#039;s disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn&#039;s disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung&#039;s disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it&#039;s often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles&#039; functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung&#039;s disease.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung&#039;s disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn&#039;s disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung&#039;s disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it&#039;s often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles&#039; functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung&#039;s disease.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Glossary\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-25T09:31:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-09-28T05:00:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Glossary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Glossary\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/\",\"name\":\"Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-25T09:31:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-09-28T05:00:51+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#\/schema\/person\/ccfef987a4882e6356ae6d77d33e74c5\"},\"description\":\"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung's disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn's disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung's disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it's often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles' functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung's disease.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Megacolon\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/\",\"name\":\"Glossary\",\"description\":\"Difinitions\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#\/schema\/person\/ccfef987a4882e6356ae6d77d33e74c5\",\"name\":\"Glossary\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/author\/adminglossary\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon","description":"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung's disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn's disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung's disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it's often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles' functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung's disease.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon","og_description":"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung's disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn's disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung's disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it's often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles' functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung's disease.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/","og_site_name":"Glossary","article_published_time":"2021-03-25T09:31:12+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-09-28T05:00:51+00:00","author":"Glossary","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Glossary","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/","url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/","name":"Megacolon - Definition of Megacolon","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-03-25T09:31:12+00:00","dateModified":"2023-09-28T05:00:51+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#\/schema\/person\/ccfef987a4882e6356ae6d77d33e74c5"},"description":"A condition in which the lower colon is very much larger than normal, because part of the colon above is constricted, making bowel movements impossible.Abnormal enlargement of the colon due to an accumulation of impacted feces. It may be congenital (Hirschsprung\u2019s disease); acquired (as in chronic refusal to defecate, especially in children); or toxic, a complication of ulcerative colitis. Treatment is by surgery, especially for congenital and toxic forms, and by enemas and laxatives.Condition of the colon with extreme dilation and hypertrophy.A distended colon. Symptoms of megacolon include severe constipation. Diagnosis is made by X rays or a lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (also known as a barium enema). In severe cases, surgery is required.Dilatation, and sometimes lengthening, of the colon. It is caused by obstruction of the colon, Hirschsprung's disease, or longstanding constipation, or it may occur as a complication of ulcerative colitis (toxic megacolon), Crohn's disease, or severe bacterial dysentery.A greatly enlarged colon that may be present at birth or develop later. It can occur in all age groups and the condition is typified by severe chronic constipation. Megacolon is caused by obstruction of the colon, possibly due either to faulty innervation, or to psychological factors. Other causes are hirschsprung's disease or ulcerative colitis. In old people the persistent use of powerful laxative drugs may cause the condition.Massive dilation of the colon, which, if left untreated, may result in perforation and peritonitis.An unusually enlarged colon commonly linked to various chronic intestinal disorders.A significant enlargement of the colon, typically associated with intense, long-term constipation.In children, leading causes of megacolon include anal fissures, Hirschsprung\u2019s disease, and mental factors that might surface during potty training. For the elderly, it's often due to prolonged use of potent laxatives. Individuals with chronic depression or schizophrenia frequently exhibit megacolon. Less common causes encompass hypothyroidism, spinal injuries, and the consumption of drugs like morphine and codeine.Megacolon results in constipation and abdominal swelling. Some people with this condition might face a reduced appetite, potentially causing weight loss. Diarrhea can arise if semi-liquid stool bypasses the blockage created by solid feces.The condition is diagnosed using proctoscopy (an endoscopic examination of the rectum), barium X-ray analysis, and tests evaluating the intestinal muscles' functionality. If Hirschsprung\u2019s disease is a potential cause, a biopsy of the large intestine might be conducted.Enemas are typically used to clear out impacted stool. In more serious situations, the stool might need to be manually extracted.An enlarged, expanded colon, also referred to as Hirschsprung's disease.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/megacolon\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Megacolon"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/","name":"Glossary","description":"Difinitions","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/#\/schema\/person\/ccfef987a4882e6356ae6d77d33e74c5","name":"Glossary","url":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/author\/adminglossary\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93149"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":243051,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93149\/revisions\/243051"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthbenefitstimes.com\/glossary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}