Glossary C
CT Scan
A CT scan, sometimes also called a CAT scan, takes pictures of the body
and uses a computer to put them together. CT stands for computerised
tomography. A CT scanner uses X-rays and is a painless procedure.
A series of X-rays are taken of your body at slightly different angles,
to produce very detailed pictures of the inside of your body.
The pictures produced by CT scans are called tomograms and they provide
doctors with information to help them reach a diagnosis about a variety
of conditions.
The CT scanner is a large machine. The pictures are taken while you lie
on a couch, which moves backwards and forwards through the hole of the
machine that is shaped rather like a giant doughnut.
Cancer
Disease of the body’s cells.
Cancer of the colon, rectum or bowel
Any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive system.
Carers
People who care for others.
Caring for your colostomy
If you have a colostomy, it's very important that you take good care of it to avoid any problems occurring. Following the tips below will ensure that you and your colostomy remain healthy:
• always wash your hands before emptying or changing your colostomy bag,
whenever you change your colostomy bag, clean the skin around the stoma using a mild soap (unless your GP advises otherwise),
•
empty the bag when it's a third full and before you go to bed,
on removing the bag, cover the stoma with a piece of tissue to prevent leakage,
•
keep all your supplies within easy reach when you go to the toilet,
•
if your stoma bleeds heavily, turns black, becomes swollen or smells strongly, you should contact your nurse or GP,
•
if you have problems with wind, avoid eating food such as broccoli, cheese, beans and beer,
•
take plenty of exercise to help to reduce wind, and
to prevent your bag smelling, eat foods that have a natural deodorant, such as apple sauce, cranberry juice and yoghurt.
Chemotherapy
This term refers to treatment of disease by chemicals
that kill cells, specifically those of micro-organisms or cancer. The treatment—which can be given intravenously (through a vein), by mouth, through an injection (shot), or applied on the skin—destroys cancer cells.
Closed pouch/bag
Closed pouches come in all shapes and sizes from mini to maxi. Minis have a small cpacity for times when you know your stoma is unlikely to be active or for going swimming, while maxis can be worn for longer periods of time or by those who have a high output during the night.
Colon
The colon part
of the digestive system and is a storage tube for solid wastes. The
main function of the colon appears to be extraction of water and salts
from faeces. It consists of the ascending colon, transverse colon, the
descending colon, and the sigmoid colon. The colon from cecum to the
splenic flexure (the junction between the transverse and
descending colon) is also known as the right colon. The remainder is
known as the left colon.
Colonoscopy - procedure to view the appearance of the lining of the colon
Colonoscopy allows the
examination of the lining of the colon
for abnormalities. A flexible fiberoptic instrument called a
colonoscope is inserted in to the rectum and is advanced through the
colon (large bowel). Cancer
can occur anywhere from the end of the colon (rectum) to the beginning
of the colon, which is called the cecum. The colonoscope examines this
entire area. Benign polyps can be easily removed during colonoscopy and are not life-threatening even small tumors can be removed painlessly at
the time of a colonoscopy so it is really a "therapeutic," not just a
"diagnostic" test.
Colorectal cancer
Commonly known as colon cancer, or bowel
cancer - is any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive
system. This usually means the colon (large bowel) or rectum (back
passage). Any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive
system.
Colostomy - procedure to divert the colon
A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which your colon is cut and
brought to the outside through the abdominal wall to create an
artificial opening or "stoma". Your faeces can then be collected in a
bag called a colostomy bag that is attached to the opening, until the
colon can heal or other corrective surgery can be done. In most cases,
a colostomy is a temporary measure. However, in certain situations, a
colostomy can be permanent because joining up the cut ends of the bowel
is impracticable. A colostomy may be needed in many diseases of the
bowel.
Constipation
Constipation is a very common condition that affects people of all ages. When you are constipated, you feel that you are not passing stools (faeces) as often as your normally do, or that you have to strain more than usual, or that you are unable to completely empty your bowels. Constipation can also cause your stools to be unusually hard, lumpy, large, or small.
The severity of constipation can vary greatly. Many people only experience constipation for a short period of time, with no lasting effects on their health.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn's disease is a condition that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (gut). The gut consists of the oesophagus (gullet), stomach, and small and large intestine. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gut. However, it most commonly occurs at the lower end of the small intestine, known as the ileum. Typical symptoms include, pain, ulcers and diarrhoea. Daily medication can be taken to relieve the symptoms but sometimes, surgery to remove part of the gut, may be required.