Other symptoms may include gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, gastro esophageal reflux disease, cramps, bowel urgency and many other uncomfortable aches in the gastrointestinal system.
Common tests for colitis include X-rays of the colon, testing the stool for blood and pus, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Additional tests include stool cultures and blood tests, including blood chemistry tests. A high erythrocryte sedimentation rate ESR — a measure of how long it takes for red blood cells to settle in a blood sample — is typical of acute colitis.
The route of treatment depends on what is causing colitis. Many cases require little more than symptomatic care, including clear fluids to rest the bowel and medications to control pain. Patients who have become acutely ill often need intravenous fluids and other intervention.
If a hole forms, a large amount of bacteria can spill into the abdomen and cause infection. Fulminant colitis: This includes the damage of the thickness of the intestinal wall.
The normal contractions of the intestinal wall stop temporarily. Eventually, the colon loses muscle tone and begins to expand. Within 24 hours , they may notice bloody stools.
An older article states that there are three main categories of ischemic colitis:. Most people have the transient type, which causes milder symptoms, but some have the gangrenous type. Gangrenous ischemic colitis is particularly severe. People with this condition are likely to require surgical intervention when symptoms appear.
Learn more about ischemic colitis here. Ischemic colitis occurs due to a lack of blood flow to the colon. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as heart disease and other conditions that affect blood flow. When these good bacteria die, often after a person has taken antibiotics , the presence of C. Pseudomembranous colitis can occur due to taking medications that destroy healthy bacteria, such as antibiotics.
Colitis can also come from conditions that are not related to IBD. One of these is cytomegalovirus CMV , which is a common strain of the herpes virus. One article notes that symptoms can be nonspecific and mimic those of IBD. However, a person may experience:.
If a person with CMV develops symptoms of colitis, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible. It does not typically cause any symptoms. Treatment options will depend on the type and severity of symptoms that a person is experiencing. There are different types of medications that a doctor may suggest, including :.
Surgery may also be desirable to people who are benefiting from medication but still finding that the condition affects their quality of life. There is no way to prevent colitis. However, a person can take steps to help manage the condition and reduce its symptoms. Research indicates that people who smoke are twice as likely to experience IBD than people who do not smoke.
This is because of a certain protein in the lungs that smoking can activate. Learn more about natural remedies for managing ulcerative colitis here. Colitis is not typically fatal. However, it is a lifelong condition that can have life threatening complications. Microscopic colitis, on the other hand, does not increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
Learn more about the potential complications of ulcerative colitis here. For CMV colitis, for example, the outcome is favorable. It is always best for a person to make a doctor aware if they believe that they have colitis.
Even if medical treatment does not seem necessary, the support can be beneficial. If a person thinks that they may have acute severe ulcerative colitis, they need medical attention immediately. This can be the result of several conditions. Doctors will often recommend an elimination diet for the birthing parent, which involves slowly cutting out certain foods known to contribute to allergic colitis. If the baby stops having symptoms of allergic colitis, these foods were likely causing the problem.
In severe cases, monoclonal antibodies, such as those used to help treat inflammatory bowel disease IBD , may also be another treatment option. Other causes of colitis include infection from parasites, viruses, and food poisoning from bacteria. You may also develop the condition if your large intestine has been treated with radiation. A doctor may ask about the frequency of your symptoms and when they first started. The doctor will perform a thorough physical exam and use diagnostic tests such as:.
Limiting what you consume by mouth can be useful, especially if you have IC. Taking fluids and other nutrition intravenously may be necessary during this time. Your doctor may prescribe various medications to help manage colitis symptoms. These may medications include:. Surgery for colitis could include removing part or all of your colon or rectum. These surgeries could include:. The only definitive way to prevent a colitis flare-up is to have surgery.
While every person may experience diarrhea and abdominal cramps from time to time, speak with a doctor if you have diarrhea that does not seem to be related to an infection, fever, or any known contaminated foods. In all cases, early detection is critical to recovery.
Early detection may help prevent other serious complications. Listening to your body is important to staying well. Read this article in Spanish. Collagenous colitis is a type of inflammation that may cause symptoms that come and go.
Discover causes, risk factors, collagenous colitis diet tips…. Left-sided colitis is a form of ulcerative colitis. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for left-sided colitis.
If you aren't eating the right foods, you may be making your microscopic colitis worse.
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