Colitis is the medical term used to refer to an acute inflammatory condition of the colon. It is associated with the inflammation of the intestine and/or the rectum. Colitis causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layer of the large intestine. The inflammation causes diarrhea, while the ulcers bleed and produce pus and mucus.
Colitis can afflict any gender, at any age. There are different types of colitis, including ulcerative colitis, pseudomembranous colitis and fulminant colitis. They have varying symptoms and one or more types can afflict patients at the same time.
Colitis can be diagnosed through inspection of fecal matter. Ulcerative and fulminant colitis may cause bloody diarrhea. This can result in high fever and anemia in patients. Pseudomembranous colitis results in terrible smelling diarrhea and abdominal pain. This kind of colitis is a bacterial infection. Without appropriate treatment it can be fatal.
Colitis can be diagnosed through colonoscopy. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal drugs are also prescribed to help cure colitis. Patients with colitis are usually treated with the drug sulfasalazine. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn and weight loss. Adrenal steroids are administered in severe cases of colitis. Colitis patients carry a high risk of colon cancer. About 20 to 25 percent of ulcerative colitis patients eventually require surgery for removal of parts the colon because of massive bleeding, chronic debilitating illness, perforation of the colon or the risk of cancer.
Over 2 million people in the US are estimated to have colitis. Ulcerative colitis is most often found in people under the age of 30. The disease generally occurs in people in their 60s or older, though, and affects men and women equally.
Researchers believe that the body’s immune system reacts to a virus or bacteria by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestinal wall. Some doctors are of the opinion that the immune system reaction may be a result, not the cause, of the disease.
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Colitis Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Colitis can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the cause and extent of the affliction. In advanced stages when Colitis is ulcerative, symptoms include rectal bleeding and diarrhea. As the disease develops it can cause abdominal cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of...
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Ulcerative Colitis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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The acute or chronic inflammation of the large intestine or colon is known as Ulcerative Colitis. Ulcerative colitis may involve a larger portion of the colon, or, even the entire colon. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, which is...
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Ischemic Colitis
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Ischemic colitis is caused by obstruction of blood flow to the large intestine. In these cases formation of blood clots and deposits of fatty material, called artherosclerosis, leads to chronic blockage of the colon. This causes damage to the lining and inner layers of the...
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Crohns Disease
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are those that cause inflammation in the intestines. One of these is Crohn’s disease, which usually affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. While Crohn’s disease is characterized by ulcerations of the intestines, it can affect any...
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Crohns Disease Treatment
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Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the intestines, causing ulcerations. It can also affect other parts of the digestive system. A chronic disease, it has no permanent cure, but symptoms can be treated as they occur, either with drugs, dietary changes, or...
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Colon Cancer Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Colon cancer is common, and often hard to detect. Colon cancer usually starts in the form of polyps in the large intestine. Unfortunately, this growth doesn’t manifest any visible symptoms. Most of the symptoms of colon cancer are difficult to notice, and are usually non-specific....
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Crohns Disease Symptoms
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A chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, Crohn’s disease can also affect other parts of the digestive system. It is characterized by ulcerations of the intestines and may result in blockages. Sometimes it causes sores in surrounding tissues, which may become infected and require surgery....
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication
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Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that has no cure. This inflammatory disease leads to swollen, stiff, and painful joints. It will also reduce movements affecting the person mentally and physically. As such, the only way to cope with the situation is by educating people with...
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Colon Cleansing
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Of all the vital organs in the body, the one that suffers the most abuse from modern habits is the colon. When diet, drugs, chemicals and stress irritate the colon, it tries to produce more mucus to protect itself. This mucus binds with food residues...
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Crohn’s Disease Causes
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Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, indicating that an infection is present in the digestive system, at any location ranging from the top of the esophagus to the rectum. Crohn’s disease is considered to be chronic, meaning that it will exist for a patient’s...