What is Colitis?
Colitis is a general term for a large number of causes that result in inflammation in the lining of the bowel. Common symptoms associated with colitis are abdominal cramping, frequent loose stools or persistent diarrhea, loss of control of bowel function, fever, sleepiness, and weight loss. Depending on the cause, colitis may be treated in several ways.
One of the first steps in diagnosing colitis is identifying the cause. Some forms of colitis may be caused by infection through bacteria, certain viruses, and some parasites. For example, exposure to the salmonella bacteria or any other bacteria needs to be treated with antibiotics to resolve the condition. Parasitic or amoebic infection usually warrants a course of either antibiotics or anti-parasitic medication. Viral colitis can be more difficult to treat.
Viruses like Rotavirus or Norovirus can result in dehydration, particularly in the very young or very old. Rest and increased fluid intake are often prescribed. However, if a person becomes severely dehydrated, he or she may need care in a hospital to receive intravenous fluids.
Certain diseases can predispose one to attacks of colitis. The most frequent cause of colitis in those with intestinal diseases is Crohn’s disease, which is a degenerative intestinal disorder. People with Crohn’s are more prone to colitis and to other serious conditions like perforated bowel. Those with Crohn’s need to take seriously the symptoms listed above and see a doctor immediately. Any of these symptoms can necessitate medical treatment.
Irritable bowel disorder (IB) can also cause bouts of colitis. Since IB is both difficult to diagnose and to treat, anyone who has had frequent recurrences of the symptoms above is prone to colitis and should contact a doctor if he or she suspects colitis. Especially if bacteria or parasites causes the colitis, this can only worsen IB and needs immediate treatment.
While antibiotics are used to treat bacterial colitis, they can also be indicated as a cause of colitis in some cases. Additional causes of colitis may include taking birth control medication, having autoimmune disorders, or smoking.
If diarrhea and fever persist for more than two days, and you don’t have a disease that would necessitate earlier treatment, you should see a doctor quickly. If you have severe stomach pain with fever, you should not wait to see a physician during office hours but proceed to the emergency room, as this may indicate appendicitis or bowel injury. If you suspect food poisoning, it is better to go the emergency room, since some bacteria can be very harmful.
You can reduce your risk of colitis by using sanitary cooking and eating practices, avoiding caffeinated beverages, and not taking medications like ibuprofen if you have irritable bowel or inflammatory bowel conditions. Treatment for those with frequent bouts of colitis will focus on trying to reduce symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach cramping. Sometimes these treatments of symptoms are the only way to address colitis. Yet even with treatment, those with Crohn’s and other autoimmune or known stomach disorders should be vigilant if they suspect colitis, since other more serious conditions may also have the same symptoms as colitis.
Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen
