How Do You Recognize Hirschsprungs Disease?
Hirschsprung’s Disease or megacolon is caused by the failure of nerve cells to form in the intestines. These ganglia cells are supposed to develop along the entire colon ending at the rectum. These nerve cells are crucial because they are the brain’s messenger telling the muscles in the intestines to push the material through, eventually propelling it towards the rectum thus leading to a normal bowel movement. If these ganglia cells are missing, the material will move along in the intestines until it reaches the portion without the nerve cells. Once there, it stops moving completely. Stool continues to collect at this point of blockage, injuring the rest of the colon. Danger arises in that the colon can expand causing infection, and even rupture of the colon. Death may also result without proper treatment of Hirschsprung’s Disease. This condition affects the large intestine and depending on the amount of colon lacking nerve cells, it can be diagnosed at an early age or later in adultho
