Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSymptomsWhen to See a ProviderCausesDiagnosisDietTreatmentTortuous Colon vs. IBSColonoscopy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Symptoms
When to See a Provider
Causes
Diagnosis
Diet
Treatment
Tortuous Colon vs. IBS
Colonoscopy
A tortuous colon is an abnormally long colon (large intestine) that has many twists and loops in order to fit inside the body. It is also known as a redundant colon. A tortuous colon does not always cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms can include constipation and other digestive problems. Tortuous colon can sometimes also cause a rare bowel obstruction.
Some people with tortuous colon benefit from a high-fiber diet, fiber supplements, and/or laxatives to reduce the chances of constipation. Medications may also be prescribed to reduce pain and cramping.
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What Is a Tortuous Colon?
Thecolonis the longest part of the digestive system. It removes nutrients and water from your food and passes waste into your rectum. When the colon is abnormally long, it needs to loop or bend in order to fit inside the body. This is referred to as “tortuous colon” or “redundant colon.”
Most of the time, neither is a serious health problem. In addition, they do not increase your risk of gettingcolon cancer.
Symptoms of Tortuous Colon
Most people who have a tortuous colon have no symptoms. They learn that they have this condition after a healthcare provider discovers it while performing a medical test or procedure, or treating another issue.
In some cases, though, it can contribute to the following problems such as:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Bowel obstructionis a rare, but potentially serious complication associated with tortuous colon. It can occur when the loops in the colon twist so much that they block the digestive path—a condition known as colonicvolvulus.
Symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
Get immediate medical assistance if you experience any of these symptoms.
There are a variety of reasons why a person might have a tortuous colon. Some people are born with it (sometimes calleddolichocolon) and there may even be a genetic predisposition for the condition.
The colon can also become elongated and twisted as a result of chronic constipation, with frequent hard stools and straining to eliminate.
In some cases, the cause can’t be identified.
A tortuous colon is usually diagnosed with imaging tests such as a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. Although the looping of the colon may prevent your healthcare provider from being able to see the colon in its entirety, these procedures can help them identify the problem.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend a CT scan to help them find other possible causes of your symptoms.
Foods to Eat and Avoid With Tortuous Colon
Plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds) provide a lot of fiber. Be aware that some of the high-fiber foods that may help with tortuous bowel symptoms like constipation still aren’t ideal if you’re choosing to follow alow-FODMAP diet.
Foods to ChooseMeatEggsCheddar cheeseOats and rice grainsPotatoesZucchiniOrangesBerriesFoods to AvoidYogurtIce creamBeans, lentilsWheat cereals and productsArtichokesAsparagusPeaches and pearsMilk (almond milk is OK)
Foods to ChooseMeatEggsCheddar cheeseOats and rice grainsPotatoesZucchiniOrangesBerries
Meat
Eggs
Cheddar cheese
Oats and rice grains
Potatoes
Zucchini
Oranges
Berries
Foods to AvoidYogurtIce creamBeans, lentilsWheat cereals and productsArtichokesAsparagusPeaches and pearsMilk (almond milk is OK)
Yogurt
Ice cream
Beans, lentils
Wheat cereals and products
Artichokes
Asparagus
Peaches and pears
Milk (almond milk is OK)
Some of the other foods that a low-FODMAP diet limits include:
The FODMAP diet is helpful for people diagnosed with IBS and may help to ease symptoms of gas and bloating. However, the benefits of its specific use in tortuous colon remain unproven.
What Does FODMAP Mean?FODMAPstands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are particular types of carbs that the intestine has a hard time absorbing.
What Does FODMAP Mean?
FODMAPstands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, which are particular types of carbs that the intestine has a hard time absorbing.
An elongated or twisted colon is not usually serious, and is generally only treated if it is causing symptoms. Otherwise, good digestive habits and responding promptly to urges to have a bowel movement are recommended.
Self-Care Treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain, or constipation, address each of these symptoms as needed.
Forabdominal pain relief, try using a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen where the pain seems to be coming from. Talk to your healthcare provider about over-the-counter options, or home remedies.Peppermint oil, for example, may help although more research is needed. It’s used in capsule form, often coated to better protect the esophagus and avoid heartburn.
Medical Treatment
There is no single specific treatment protocol for a tortuous colon.
Your healthcare provider may work with you to come up with a management plan for any chronic digestive symptoms that you may be experiencing, and this may include the use ofprescription medicationsor over-the-counter products.
Options include:
Treating Colonic Volvulus
An intestinal blockage is a medical emergency. If part of your colon becomes blocked, you may need to undergo a decompression procedure. During this procedure, a soft tube is inserted through the rectum and into the obstructed loop. This procedure helps release gas and fluid.
In some cases, surgery is required. This may involve removing a portion of the colon.
Although a bowel obstruction resulting from a tortuous colon is a very rare event, it can be life-threatening and typically requires surgical intervention.
Many of the symptoms of a tortuous colon are similar to those ofirritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By definition, IBS is diagnosed when there is no structural abnormality (or visible inflammation or injury).Thus, IBS and tortuous colon are considered two separate health conditions.
It is possible that a tortuous colon may be identified as you go through diagnostic testing for IBS. It’s also possible that your healthcare provider may lump your symptoms under the same IBS umbrella.
Although there’s no firm research on the matter, havingconstipation-predominant IBS(IBS-C) may raise your risk of developing a tortuous colon. Even still, tortuous colon is uncommon.
On the other hand, some studies show thatdiverticulosis(small bulges and pouches in the intestinal lining) and tortuous colon rarely occur in the same person. More research is needed to understand this relationship.
Can You Have a Colonoscopy With a Tortuous Colon?
Acolonoscopyis an essential procedure forcolon cancer screening.A long tool with a light at the end, called an endoscope, is inserted into the rectum and threaded through the entire colon until it reaches thececum. This is where the small and large intestines meet.
During this procedure, your healthcare provider can view the health of your large intestine and remove any abnormal tissue, such as polyps. This tissue can then be tested for the presence of cancer cells.
A tortuous colon can make this procedure challenging. The twists, loops, and/or sharp angles of the intestine can make it hard to get the endoscope all the way through the colon. Strategies such as using a smaller endoscope, however, can help increase the chances of having a successful colonoscopy.
Summary
If your colon measures longer than 5 feet, it will contort itself so that it can fit into your abdomen. The extra loops and bends that form result in a condition known as tortuous or redundant colon.
You may have some digestive discomfort such as constipation and cramping, but often there are no issues. In most cases, you can manage the symptoms with over-the-counter and at-home remedies.
If you do suffer from severe digestive problems, though, you should see a healthcare provider to determine if these are due to an unusually long colon. Treatment options include prescription medications, with surgical interventions in rare and complicated cases.
16 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.MedlinePlus.Intestinal obstruction and Ileus.American Cancer Society.Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors.National Institutes of Health.Redundant colon as a cause of constipation.Yoshida A, Uchima Y, Hosaka N, Minaga K, Kudo M.Transverse colonic volvulus due to mesenteric fibromatosis: a case report.BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 Jan 6;21(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12876-020-01592-6.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Bowel Obstruction.Ilham Elouardighi I, Zizi L, Iaziji E, Amalik N, Barkat A.Dolichocolon in low-birth-weight infants in 7 cases.Bharucha AE, Lacy BE.Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation.Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1232-1249.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034.RUSH University Medical Center.Eating for a Healthy Colon.Johns Hopkins Medicine.FODMAP Diet.Harvard Health Publishing.Try a FODMAPs diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Spiegel B.Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Dec 1;117(12):1933-1947. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002066.Adriani A, Ribaldone DG, Astegiano M, Durazzo M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Irritable bowel syndrome: the clinical approach.Panminerva Med. 2018 Dec;60(4):213-222. doi:10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03541-3.Cuda T, Gunnarsson R, de Costa A.The correlation between diverticulosis and redundant colon.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017 Nov;32(11):1603-1607. doi:10.1007/s00384-017-2894-5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.Wei MT, Friedland S.Strategies to manage the difficult colonoscopy.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2023;15(7):491-495. doi:10.4253/wjge.v15.i7.491Additional ReadingBrahmania M, Park J, Svarta S, Tong J, Kwok R, Enns R.Incomplete colonoscopy: maximizing completion rates of gastroenterologists.Can J Gastroenterol. 2012;26(9):589-92. doi:10.1155/2012/353457
16 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.MedlinePlus.Intestinal obstruction and Ileus.American Cancer Society.Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors.National Institutes of Health.Redundant colon as a cause of constipation.Yoshida A, Uchima Y, Hosaka N, Minaga K, Kudo M.Transverse colonic volvulus due to mesenteric fibromatosis: a case report.BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 Jan 6;21(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12876-020-01592-6.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Bowel Obstruction.Ilham Elouardighi I, Zizi L, Iaziji E, Amalik N, Barkat A.Dolichocolon in low-birth-weight infants in 7 cases.Bharucha AE, Lacy BE.Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation.Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1232-1249.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034.RUSH University Medical Center.Eating for a Healthy Colon.Johns Hopkins Medicine.FODMAP Diet.Harvard Health Publishing.Try a FODMAPs diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Spiegel B.Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Dec 1;117(12):1933-1947. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002066.Adriani A, Ribaldone DG, Astegiano M, Durazzo M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Irritable bowel syndrome: the clinical approach.Panminerva Med. 2018 Dec;60(4):213-222. doi:10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03541-3.Cuda T, Gunnarsson R, de Costa A.The correlation between diverticulosis and redundant colon.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017 Nov;32(11):1603-1607. doi:10.1007/s00384-017-2894-5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.Wei MT, Friedland S.Strategies to manage the difficult colonoscopy.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2023;15(7):491-495. doi:10.4253/wjge.v15.i7.491Additional ReadingBrahmania M, Park J, Svarta S, Tong J, Kwok R, Enns R.Incomplete colonoscopy: maximizing completion rates of gastroenterologists.Can J Gastroenterol. 2012;26(9):589-92. doi:10.1155/2012/353457
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.
MedlinePlus.Intestinal obstruction and Ileus.American Cancer Society.Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors.National Institutes of Health.Redundant colon as a cause of constipation.Yoshida A, Uchima Y, Hosaka N, Minaga K, Kudo M.Transverse colonic volvulus due to mesenteric fibromatosis: a case report.BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 Jan 6;21(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12876-020-01592-6.MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Bowel Obstruction.Ilham Elouardighi I, Zizi L, Iaziji E, Amalik N, Barkat A.Dolichocolon in low-birth-weight infants in 7 cases.Bharucha AE, Lacy BE.Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation.Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1232-1249.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034.RUSH University Medical Center.Eating for a Healthy Colon.Johns Hopkins Medicine.FODMAP Diet.Harvard Health Publishing.Try a FODMAPs diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Spiegel B.Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Dec 1;117(12):1933-1947. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002066.Adriani A, Ribaldone DG, Astegiano M, Durazzo M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Irritable bowel syndrome: the clinical approach.Panminerva Med. 2018 Dec;60(4):213-222. doi:10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03541-3.Cuda T, Gunnarsson R, de Costa A.The correlation between diverticulosis and redundant colon.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017 Nov;32(11):1603-1607. doi:10.1007/s00384-017-2894-5.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.Wei MT, Friedland S.Strategies to manage the difficult colonoscopy.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2023;15(7):491-495. doi:10.4253/wjge.v15.i7.491
MedlinePlus.Intestinal obstruction and Ileus.
American Cancer Society.Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors.
National Institutes of Health.Redundant colon as a cause of constipation.
Yoshida A, Uchima Y, Hosaka N, Minaga K, Kudo M.Transverse colonic volvulus due to mesenteric fibromatosis: a case report.BMC Gastroenterol. 2021 Jan 6;21(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12876-020-01592-6.
MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Bowel Obstruction.
Ilham Elouardighi I, Zizi L, Iaziji E, Amalik N, Barkat A.Dolichocolon in low-birth-weight infants in 7 cases.
Bharucha AE, Lacy BE.Mechanisms, Evaluation, and Management of Chronic Constipation.Gastroenterology. 2020 Apr;158(5):1232-1249.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.034.
RUSH University Medical Center.Eating for a Healthy Colon.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.FODMAP Diet.
Harvard Health Publishing.Try a FODMAPs diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome.
Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(1):17-44. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Spiegel B.Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 Dec 1;117(12):1933-1947. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002066.
Adriani A, Ribaldone DG, Astegiano M, Durazzo M, Saracco GM, Pellicano R.Irritable bowel syndrome: the clinical approach.Panminerva Med. 2018 Dec;60(4):213-222. doi:10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03541-3.
Cuda T, Gunnarsson R, de Costa A.The correlation between diverticulosis and redundant colon.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017 Nov;32(11):1603-1607. doi:10.1007/s00384-017-2894-5.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.
Wei MT, Friedland S.Strategies to manage the difficult colonoscopy.World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2023;15(7):491-495. doi:10.4253/wjge.v15.i7.491
Brahmania M, Park J, Svarta S, Tong J, Kwok R, Enns R.Incomplete colonoscopy: maximizing completion rates of gastroenterologists.Can J Gastroenterol. 2012;26(9):589-92. doi:10.1155/2012/353457
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