Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. Colitis may be acute and self-limited or long-term. It broadly fits into the category of digestive diseases.
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Colon Infection (Colitis): Causes, Types, Symptoms, Treatment
The colon is a common site of infection for a heterogeneous cluster of bacterial pathogens. The presentation of illness within the colon is mostly within the form of distinct syndromes, and it's vital for physicians to acknowledge the causative organisms, as a result of specific treatment is extremely effective.
Several diseases can interfere with the natural functioning of the colon. Colon inflammation is basically a result of viral and bacterial infections, sometimes, the colon may also be compromised once an operation or surgery, or be resultant of cancer complications. Having cancer and bound treatments for cancer, like chemotherapy, will place you at a higher risk of developing an infection and sepsis.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of inflammation are quite variable and dependent on the reason for the given colitis and factors that modify its course and severity.
Common symptoms of colitis might include: gentle to severe abdominal pains and tenderness (depending on the stage of the disease), persistent diarrhea symptom with pus either present or absent in the stools, fecal incontinence, flatulence, fatigue, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
More severe symptoms are shortness of breath, a quick or irregular heartbeat, and fever.
Some common or rare non-specific symptoms that will accompany colitis include arthritis, mouth ulcers, painful, red and swollen skin and irritated, bloodshot eyes.
Signs seen on colonoscopy include colonic mucosal erythema (redness of the colon's inner surface), ulceration, and hemorrhage.
Diagnosis
Symptoms suggestive colitis are worked-up by obtaining the medical record, a physical examination, and laboratory tests (CBC, electrolytes, stool culture and sensitivity, stool ova and parasites et cetera). extra tests might embrace medical imaging (e.g. abdominal computed tomography, abdominal X-rays) and an examination with a camera inserted into the rectum (sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy).
An important investigation in the assessment of colitis is a biopsy. a really tiny piece of tissue (usually about 2mm) is off from the gut mucosa during endoscopy and examined beneath the microscope by a histopathologist. It can provide vital info relating to the reason for the illness and also the extent of bowel damage.
Colon Infection | Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | colonoscopy
