The colon’s main function is to reabsorb water and salts that have been secreted by the rest of the gut. This helps the formation of faeces and if the mechanism is impaired may lead to constipation or overflow diarrhoea. Simple preparations such as fibre and laxatives e.g. lactulose are often the most effective.
Pseudo-obstruction is a rare complication in scleroderma. The bowel is not physically blocked as in true bowel obstruction but has just "had enough" and stops working! Patients need to be admitted and treatment is to stop oral fluids and food and treat with intravenous fluids and possibly antibiotics. Avoid bowel surgery (or at least check with your sclerodema specialist first)!
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