1. Inflamed Intestine Is Colitis Indicator
Colitis occurs when your large intestine becomes inflamed. This frequently recurring disease first rears its ugly head in the bottom portion of your intestine before invading the colon. Generally, cases of colitis are not severe and are restricted to a specific area. Regardless, seek medical assistance immediately to prevent infection and a perforated colon and to control the disease's progression. Colitis victims are mostly women ages 15 to 20. Symptoms may resurface at age 55 to 60.
2. It Could Be Crohn's Disease
The cause of colitis remains a mystery. Some believe an irregular immune reaction of the stomach or large intestine to food or bacteria may be to blame. Stress, once considered a prime suspect, now appears to simply aggravate the already-present colitis. Other possible causes are sudden or persistent infections, inflammatory illnesses, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, insufficient blood flow and radiation directed at the bowel.
3. Symptoms Easily Recognizable
Common colitis symptoms are abdominal pain or discomfort, frequent diarrhea that may contain blood or constipation; incontinence, listlessness, decrease in appetite, weight change, irritability, rectal bleeding, joint pain and fever. Tests to confirm a colitis diagnosis based on these symptoms include X-raying your colon, taking a stool sample to detect blood and pus. The doctor will also perform various tests, including a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy to examine your colon and bowel.
4. Surgery for the Severe
Serious cases of colitis call for hospitalization and sometimes surgery. Notify your physician or visit your local emergency room if you have pain in your abdomen accompanied by a fever, if your symptoms progressed or if new ones developed within a short period of time. Take action if you notice a change in your bowel habits, blood in your stool or if you become dehydrated. Upon admission, medical staff administers fluids intravenously, keeps an eye on nutrition, re-hydrates you and authorizes blood transfusions or iron supplements if necessary. Consider surgery if other treatments are unsuccessful. In most instances, your surgeon takes out the diseased portion of the large intestine. Another procedure, the Kock pouch (CONTINENT ILEOSTOMY), establishes a reservoir from the portion of the small intestine that runs into a tube atop the pubic hairline.
5. Medications Make a Difference
Discuss available colitis treatment options to relieve your discomfort, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs (mesalamine or steroids) or dietary changes. You may need to lay off the spicy foods, caffeine, red meat and dairy. Ask about possible side effects or drug interactions associated with any prescribed medication.
