Severe constipation is usually uncomfortable but manageable. In rare cases, however, it can develop into a dangerous condition called toxic megacolon. Knowing the difference between ordinary digestive problems and a medical emergency can help save lives. Toxic megacolon happens when the colon becomes severely swollen and stops functioning properly. The bowel loses its ability to move waste forward, causing pressure to build inside the body. Blood flow may decrease, and the colon can even rupture. If not treated quickly, the condition may lead to “sepsis, organ failure, and death.” Doctors stress that toxic megacolon is not caused by simply delaying...
Continues…