i think my husband might have colon cancer. he complains that he feels like he has go to the bathroom but doesnt need to, throws up every night, tired/weak, stomach hurts alot and little blood in toilet. could that be what it is or something else?
2006-06-27 17:02:57 · 17 answers · asked by Jessica L 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
1. You're pooping more or less often.
The presence of a tumor in your bowel throws things off. As your body tries to adjust to its presence, demands, and byproducts, you may experience changes in your bathroom habits. For example, let's say a tumor is slowly growing in your colon, inhibiting the flow of solid waste. You may or may not notice that you're defecating less often.
But if the tumor gets large enough, it may become very difficult for your poop to get by it and you'll end up constipated. Sound like a crap shoot? (No pun intended.) The tumor may obstruct your bowel. You may notice a difference. You may get constipated.
That's why, in general, it's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms to alert you to the presence of the cancer.
2. Your stool is thinner than usual.
Imagine a three-lane tunnel full of cars, all driving through with a nice, steady flow. Now imagine that two big rigs decide to block the left lanes in tandem... then they slow to a stop. Both of them. Blocking both left lanes. What do the cars do? They start filing to the right so they can get around the obstruction.
The same sort of thing happens in the bowel. Everything is flowing fine and dandy until a tumor starts to grow, causing an obstruction. As the obstruction gets bigger, the space around it gets smaller. So, as you might expect, tumors toward the "tunnel exit" tend to cause this effect of narrowed stool.
3. You have stomach cramping or bloating.
Bloating may be the result of a bowel obstruction. Cramping may be caused by constipation or diarrhea. In more advanced stages of colorectal cancer, severe abdominal cramping may be caused by the tumor perforating (poking through) the bowel wall.
4. There's bright red blood in or on your poop.
Tumors tend to bleed. Not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some of that blood may be found in your stool. If the tumor is in the right colon, the blood will most likely be dried and virtually invisible by the time the poop leaves the body. However, if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the left colon, it may still be fresh and therefore, bright red.
5. You've experienced unexplained weight loss.
Many of us wouldn't want to question unexplained weight loss. We'd just be happy to be losing weight! But, even though the prospect of losing weight without even trying may seem a blessing, it really is something to question. It's the old "if it sounds too good to be true..." idea.
See more at http://coloncancer.about.com/cs/thebasics/a/Top10CCSymptoms.htm
2006-06-27 17:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by JRatliff 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I have suffered for years with Crohn's disease which offers many of the same symptoms you are describing plus most often also causes the right eye to be very bloodshot on the inside corner. Ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, even appendicitis are some of the other conditions that have these symptoms.
I recommend strongly that you encourage your husband to make an appointment tomorrow with a gastroenterologist who may end up doing a few tests and sending him to a rheumatologist. My symptoms are somewhat controlled now after 12 years but I still suffer.
If he has fever, take him tonight to the emergency clinic just to make sure nothing is going to rupture as this is the most worry with some of the above conditions.
There is now a digestive pill camera that can be swallowed to scan the digestive tract and find out what is going on. Maybe if he knows this he will feel more comfortable about testing that may need to be performed.
2006-06-27 17:17:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a Dr appointment ...The symptoms of colon cancer vary from person to person, depending on how extensive the cancer has spread. You husband does have some symptoms..Instead of worrying please make an appointment and find out for sure..I do know that trouble passing stools is a sign of colon cancer but it can also be an indicator of many other health related issues
2006-06-27 17:07:56 · answer #3 · answered by hipergirl22 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you this my boyfriend who at age 27 started noticing a little bit of blood in his stool, he didn't think much of it. As time went on, there was more and more blood in his stool. He finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with colon cancer. He passed away in 2001 at age 32. Cancer is hereditary, his mother had it, his grandfather had it, and so did he. Have him go to the doctor, it's better to be safe then sorry. If my boyfriend would've went right when he started noticing blood in his stool, he would most likely be alive today.
2006-06-27 21:56:54 · answer #4 · answered by Sheila W 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What ever it is, he needs to have medical attention ASAP! The symptoms you describe are seen in colon cancer but it could be something else. Copy this address and check it out. BUT...see a doctor soon; waiting makes treatment more difficult and reduces success. It's better to know the truth and treat it than to worry about what it might be.
chttp://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw198266/zp2644;_ylt=AvRDn6ghIpBi0bNuPmImvL1Hg7MFancer
2006-06-27 17:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by levigreyhound 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be many things...divurticulitis, crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome...and, unfortunately, colon cancer. He needs to get to the doctor asap and have it checked out. If it's one of the more minor issues, then you'll have peace of mind and he can get some relief through treatment. If it's cancer, the sooner they find it and begin treatment the better chance he has for a complete recovery.
2006-06-27 17:06:47 · answer #6 · answered by RMarcin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Colon cancer may be present without symptoms, particularly early in its course. The passage of bright red blood in the stool or a change in the frequency, consistency or thickness of stool are the most typical symptoms.
Please refer to the following:
2006-06-27 17:11:13 · answer #7 · answered by stiffneck 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry about it until he finds out from a doctor for sure. I actually thought i had that once, but there are so many things that people can think they have because they are too freaked out to think rationally. It could be that he has the flu, maybe he has hemmroids, maybe something else. Good luck to you.. and you might need to have him see a doctor.
2006-06-27 17:06:39 · answer #8 · answered by uhhsure8701 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, I'm not a doctor. You should probably go to the doctor, that's what I'd do. And maybe research a bit on the internet.
2006-06-27 17:05:43 · answer #9 · answered by pinky_the_punkrockgirl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only a good doctor knows best - but you may find the info on the following page helpful.
I hope he is ok!! :)
Rj
2006-06-27 17:07:22 · answer #10 · answered by rjfoster22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋