One of the global problems today is colon cancer. It can lead to such disorders not only in the belly area but also in the anal region. According to the blog “From Colon to Bladder: How Colon Cancer Can Impact Urinary Control,” like many other cancer survivors, those who underwent radiation therapy for colon cancer may face bladder problems, which is quite a common phenomenon post-radiation therapy. It can mean an involuntary leaking of urine, a sense of urgency, or even a complete inability to pass urine altogether.
Such problems occur because specific treatments can damage the bladder nerves. Given these problems, many colon cancer patients are unhappy with their lives after treatment. Specific issues require the attention of doctors and are worth informing patients about. This is important so that the patient knows what they are going to the medic for and where to go in case the need arises. It would be possible to reduce the suffering of patients battling colon cancer.
Colon Cancer: What Is It?
Colon cancer (a condition) affects the colon or large bowel of the Gastrointestinal tract. Of all colon cancer cases that occur in the colon, adenocarcinoma is the most common. The tumor stage located at diagnosis defines what options a patient has available. Standard treatments are the primary treatments or management options available.
If the cancer is localized, it is surgically removed. It involves taking out the section of the intestine that contains the malignancy. Follow-up treatments for some patients after undergoing surgery involve the use of chemotherapy, which refers to synthetic drugs that are used to eliminate any active cancer cells left. In some instances, it is applicable for doctors to make use of radiation therapy to reduce the size of the cancer before performing the surgical operation or alleviate cancer symptoms in people who cannot undergo surgery.
These treatments come with other side effects that inflict discomfort on the patient. One example is chemotherapy and radiation, whereby those who undergo these regimes are likely to have changes in bowel frequency. This is why physicians need to manage these side effects in addition to cancer management so that the patient is better.
Surgical Intervention and Radiation Therapy
The first-line treatment option among all clinical interventions for colon cancer is surgery. The oncologists suggest to patients with colon cancer a surgery called a colectomy, which means an entire or a segment of the colon will be surgically resected. It has been found that some people have an alteration in bowel movement after this surgery. As the colon is near the bladder, complications may result from surgery on the colon, affecting the nearby organs. This may cause difficulties in how the bladder operates because nerves and pelvic areas may be called into operation during the process.
The other therapy is radiotherapy, in which the doctor uses a powerful energy beam to destroy the cancer cells. It is usually associated with rectal cancer, but it also supports colon cancer treatment if the tumor is likely to move. Though radiation damages the bladder and urinary system, a patient may find themselves running to the washroom more frequently or may need to do it urgently. Such side effects may occur several weeks after the treatment has commenced and may persist long after the therapy is complete.
Ayurveda Treatment For Colon Cancer
Ayurveda is a treatment that employs natural remedies, primarily for colon cancer. Colon cancer is a large intestine cancer, and Ayurveda emphasizes the patient rather than the illness. The process involves using natural herbs, diet modification, and changing habits.
Turmeric, ashwagandha, and garlic are some of the most common Ayurvedic herbs. Many know turmeric’s significant benefit in tumor suppression and tumor-associated inflammation. Ashwagandha enhances the body’s defense mechanisms and assists with treatment-related fatigue. Even garlic has a positive effect, as it can improve individuals’ health and wellness.
Apart from these herbs, Ayurveda also advises that vegetables and fruits be taken that are less complex and more fresh. Fresh food not only helps maintain body strength but also provides balance. Ayurveda is dedicated to significantly enhancing the quality of life for patients with colon cancer while effectively addressing its complications.
Urinary Dysfunction Post-Treatment
Several individuals having received treatment for colorectal cancer report difficulties in passing urine. Research indicates that nearly 20% of patients in these populations may have urinary incontinence, which translates into possible leaky bladder scenarios based on need assessment tools within one year of their diagnosis. In simpler terms, they may leak contaminants without wanting to do so.
As with any disease or clinical condition, urinary problems can also present differently in different individuals. A common complaint is urgency, where a patient may feel a sudden and intense need to go to the toilet, which would be very difficult to control. Another form of difficulty is frequency, where the amount of urine is low, but there is a need to go to the toilet more than usual. Lastly, there exists incontinence, where urine dribbles out involuntarily on a person’s part.
Patients treated with radiotherapy should be made aware of these symptoms, as the two are related and caused by therapeutic radiotherapy. Such knowledge is crucial for patients and their families so that they can seek assistance regarding the side effects.
Risk Factors for Urinary Dysfunction
Most patients who survive cancer prefer to go back to their everyday life and work life after recovery. However, some patients who receive colon cancer treatment will be subjected to bladder complications. The urine storage and containment device is called a bladder or vesica urinaria. The development of troubles with the bladder may arise from multiple causes.
- Type of Surgery: Bladder control can also be determined by the kind of surgery a person undergoes. Any surgical procedure that requires altering or resectioning the structures in the pelvic region blunts the nerves responsible for bladder control, which may increase the urge to urinate or cause incontinence.
- Radiation Therapy: There are instances when Doctors resort to radiation therapy for cancer management. This procedure is likely to produce scarring and inflammation of the bladder’s lining, which may lead to overactive bladder syndrome. Such individuals may have urinary urgency, frequency, and bladder incontinence.
- Pre-existing Conditions: If a patient suffered from bladder problems before cancer care, these problems may be aggravated as a result of cancer care. Other health conditions can also lead to increased difficulty in bladder control post-cancer treatment. These are some of the aspects that the patients should specifically discuss with their doctors- bladder health post-treatment and the requirement to go to the bathroom that is difficult to control. Hold varimos. One two: frequency com que filter helps to empty the beneficiaries, which is usually considered more terrible than usual. The last portion of consideration is disinterested, which concerns learning about urine leaking out without the person being sympathetic in any way, that is, being urinating, control losing.
Quality of Life Considerations
Urinary problems can be embarrassing and disrupt daily life. Many cancer survivors say they struggle to enjoy their favorite activities, feel happy, and socialize because of bladder issues. These challenges can lead to constant anxiety and depression, as they often cannot hold their urine when needed. Therefore, healthcare providers should discuss these problems with patients before starting treatment.
It is essential to inform patients before starting treatment. Regular follow-up appointments after treatment begins are crucial. During these visits, doctors can ask about urinary problems and help address them if they can. This support helps patients manage their conditions and improve their overall well-being. Healthcare providers can boost their patients’ mental and physical health by tackling urine retention issues.
Management Strategies for Urinary Dysfunction
More specifically, discussing urinary problem symptom relief is another approach necessary to assist people in feeling better.
Pelvic floor rehabilitation is one method that stretches under the physical therapy category. This option also assists with building muscles in this body region to help manage the bladder effectively. If the muscles are developed, they help hold urine and go to the washroom when required.
The other procedure is medication, whereby recommended drugs are administered with errors. Such medicines may include special medications known as anticholinergics. These medicines work on the bladder muscles and help to settle down those muscles, carrying out frequent contractions, so it feels like you must constantly pee.
Behavioral therapies also play a role here too. Methods like bladder training and timed voiding can help patients know when they can use the privy again. This means learning when to go and how to wait until the going time arrives is right. This, however, sometimes calls for surgery.
Conclusion
A type of cancer that begins in the colon sometimes referred to as the large intestine, colon cancer is a chronic and deadly disease. However, some people may experience problems with their bladder and urination while undergoing therapy for colon cancer.
Patients may develop problems with urinary control after the treatment. They may urinate more frequently or have issues with urinary incontinence than men. To help those who face such difficulties, healthcare professionals must speak to the patients about these problems. This way, they can explain to the patients what they will encounter when recovering and caring for the colon cancer patient during rehab.
We need to do more to help patients with urinary problems. By increasing awareness among patients and medical staff, we can strengthen the support system for those recovering from colon cancer.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33481335/
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/urination-changes
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6265181/
https://livestrong.org/resources/urinary-incontinence/
https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/colon-cancer-expanded-version