Atonic colonoccurs when there is a lack of normal muscle tone or strength in thecolon. Also, known as lazy colon or colon stasis, it may result in chronicconstipation. When your intestines are backed up, as in constipation, it slows the rate in which your stomach can empty, which in turn may cause heartburn.
Brook Rieman / Moment / Getty Images
Atonic colon is essentially a “vicious circle” phenomena. Constipation can lead to reduced bowel activity, which in turn can lead to a worsening of constipation, and so on.
Causes
While the cause of atonic colon is often unknown, chronic laxative use can be to blame. A relatively rare cause is Hirschsprung’s disease, which causes blockages in part or all of the large intestine due to a lack of nerve cells that are needed for normal muscle movement. But Hirschsprung’s disease isn’t something you can develop or catch, it is acongenital condition, which means that it is present from birth. It is also known as congenital megacolon.
With megacolon, the bowel becomes extremely dilated and atonic (not moving) with a large amount of stool “just sitting there.”
Fecal Impaction: Risk Factors and Treatment
The Science Behind It
In many ways, atonic colon is an example of classical conditioning. Simplistically, the colon begins to “give up” when a stimulus does not result in the evacuation of the bowel and stops responding to signals. This can be similar to a parent, who after hearing a child ask for something a few dozen times, begins to “not hear” the requests. In contrast, in conditions such as Hirschsprung’s disease, the ganglia, or collection of nerves controlling this function are absent.
10 Facts About Your Colon and How You Poop
Link to Laxatives
Enema Side Effects
Symptoms
Besides constipation, you may also experience stomach pains, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Whether you are experiencing any, some, or all of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider.
Bloating and Gas
When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Discussing your bathroom habits can be almost as uncomfortable as constipation that you are experiencing. But when it is time to speak to your healthcare provider, it is time to be a partner in your care. Meaning, don’t hide anything, especially if you have been using a laxative for an extended period of time. Also, try to do some pre-appointment work.
When trying to pinpoint the cause of your constipation, there are a few questions that your healthcare provider may ask you. Be prepared to answer the following:
Possible Treatments
If laxatives are the cause of your lack of bowel muscle tone, they will not be used to combat chronic constipation you are experiencing. Instead, your healthcare provider may use enemas, or suggestbowel retraining.
Non-laxative medications like guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) agonists or chloride channel medications can help. These include Linzess (linaclotide), Trulance (plecanatide), and Amitiza (lubiprostone).
Another treatment that is sometimes used for chronic constipation, especially when the cause is closely related to the digestive system, isbiofeedback.
10 Foods That Help You Poop and Ease Constipation
Tips for Coping and Prevention
Understanding a bit about the science between bowel emptying can help explain what measures can help prevent constipation that can lead to atonic colon.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Earnest DL. 10.15 -Clinical Toxicology of Common Drugs and Chemicals: Colon. In:Comprehensive Toxicology. Vol 10. 2nd ed. Elsevier Science; 2010:181-194.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hirschsprung Disease.Sparberg M. Constipation. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors.Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths. Chapter 89.Ueki T, Nagai K, Mizukami Y, et al. Cross-sectional study on relationship between constipation and medication in consideration of sleep disorder. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011;131(8):1225-32. doi:10.1248/yakushi.131.1225Hsieh C.Treatment of Constipation in Older Adults.American Family Physician. 2005;72(11):2277-2284.Additional ReadingKasper, Dennis L., et al. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. Print.Sergi, M., Caluseriu, O., McColl, H., and D. Eisenstat.Hirschsprung’s disease: clinical dysmorphology, genes, micro-RNAs, and future perspectives.Pediatric Research. (Epub ahead of print).
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Earnest DL. 10.15 -Clinical Toxicology of Common Drugs and Chemicals: Colon. In:Comprehensive Toxicology. Vol 10. 2nd ed. Elsevier Science; 2010:181-194.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hirschsprung Disease.Sparberg M. Constipation. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors.Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths. Chapter 89.Ueki T, Nagai K, Mizukami Y, et al. Cross-sectional study on relationship between constipation and medication in consideration of sleep disorder. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011;131(8):1225-32. doi:10.1248/yakushi.131.1225Hsieh C.Treatment of Constipation in Older Adults.American Family Physician. 2005;72(11):2277-2284.Additional ReadingKasper, Dennis L., et al. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. Print.Sergi, M., Caluseriu, O., McColl, H., and D. Eisenstat.Hirschsprung’s disease: clinical dysmorphology, genes, micro-RNAs, and future perspectives.Pediatric Research. (Epub ahead of print).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Earnest DL. 10.15 -Clinical Toxicology of Common Drugs and Chemicals: Colon. In:Comprehensive Toxicology. Vol 10. 2nd ed. Elsevier Science; 2010:181-194.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hirschsprung Disease.Sparberg M. Constipation. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors.Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths. Chapter 89.Ueki T, Nagai K, Mizukami Y, et al. Cross-sectional study on relationship between constipation and medication in consideration of sleep disorder. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011;131(8):1225-32. doi:10.1248/yakushi.131.1225Hsieh C.Treatment of Constipation in Older Adults.American Family Physician. 2005;72(11):2277-2284.
Earnest DL. 10.15 -Clinical Toxicology of Common Drugs and Chemicals: Colon. In:Comprehensive Toxicology. Vol 10. 2nd ed. Elsevier Science; 2010:181-194.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Hirschsprung Disease.
Sparberg M. Constipation. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors.Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths. Chapter 89.
Ueki T, Nagai K, Mizukami Y, et al. Cross-sectional study on relationship between constipation and medication in consideration of sleep disorder. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2011;131(8):1225-32. doi:10.1248/yakushi.131.1225
Hsieh C.Treatment of Constipation in Older Adults.American Family Physician. 2005;72(11):2277-2284.
Kasper, Dennis L., et al. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. Print.Sergi, M., Caluseriu, O., McColl, H., and D. Eisenstat.Hirschsprung’s disease: clinical dysmorphology, genes, micro-RNAs, and future perspectives.Pediatric Research. (Epub ahead of print).
Kasper, Dennis L., et al. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. New York: McGraw Hill Education. Print.
Sergi, M., Caluseriu, O., McColl, H., and D. Eisenstat.Hirschsprung’s disease: clinical dysmorphology, genes, micro-RNAs, and future perspectives.Pediatric Research. (Epub ahead of print).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
