Colon Issues: Recognizing Symptoms & When to See a Doctor

Signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with your colon include:

- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation

- Increased gas and bloating

- Abdominal pain

- Blood in the stool

- Weight loss

- Fatigue

- Nausea or vomiting

See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, as they could be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Additional tests that may be used to diagnose colon problems include:

- Colonoscopy: This is a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the colon to look for abnormalities.

- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: This is a similar procedure to a colonoscopy, but it only examines the lower part of the colon.

- Virtual colonoscopy: This is a CT scan of the colon that can create three-dimensional images of the colon.

- Blood tests: These tests can check for anemia and other conditions that may indicate a problem with the colon.

- Stool tests: These tests can check for blood, bacteria, or other abnormalities in the stool.