Colitis is the inflammation of the colon. Colitis may be caused by viral or bacteria infections, food poisoning, decreased blood supply to the colon, bowel radiation treatments, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Colitis may lead to a vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Colitis and Vitamin B-12
The colon reabsorbs water, electrolytes and some nutrients. When the colon is inflamed due to colitis, it is not able to reabsorb vitamin B-12 or other nutrients. Colitis and the pain of the disease may also reduce your appetite, which may cause you to eat lower amounts of foods rich in vitamin B-12. Frequent diarrhea may also deplete vitamin B-12.
B-12 Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes anemia and neurological symptoms. You may develop symptoms such as weakness, excess fatigue, pale skin, cold hands and feet, a sore tongue, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss,numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, difficulty walking and maintaining balance, confusion, poor memory, depression and dementia. If you develop these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately to prevent permanent neurological damage.
Treatment
Treating colitis can help prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency. The treatment of colitis depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat colitis caused by bacterial infections. The doctor may recommend you take multivitamins to prevent vitamin deficiencies. If you develop vitamin B-12 deficiency, your doctor may prescribe vitamin B-12 injections. You can prevent vitamin B-12 deficiency through daily consumption of foods rich in the vitamin. Vitamin B-12 is found in animal products and fortified breakfast cereals.
Symptoms of Colitis
Symptoms of colitis include abdominal pain that is constant or comes and goes, constant urge to have a bowel movement, increased intestinal gas, abdominal bloating, frequent diarrhea, fever, chills and dehydration. Complications of colitis include colon perforation and bleeding, Consult your doctor if you develop a board-like abdomen and bright red blood in stools; these are signs of colon perforation and bleeding and require immediate medical intervention.
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