Inflamed Colon: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Colitis can have numerous causes, from infection to inflammatory bowel disease, drug interactions, and allergic reactions.

Colitis is a general term for the inflammation of the colon’s inner lining, which is your large intestine. There are different types of colitis categorized by cause. Infections, poor blood supply, and parasites can all cause an inflamed colon.

If you have an inflamed colon, you’ll likely have abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.

There are a few types of colitis and other conditions that can cause colon inflammation.

Infection

Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause infectious colitis. A person who has infectious colitis will have diarrhea and fever, and a stool sample that tests positive for enteropathogens such as:

• salmonella
• campylobacter
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Depending on the cause of the infection, infectious colitis may be contracted from contaminated water, foodborne illnesses, or poor hygiene.

Pseudomembranous colitis is another type of infectious colitis. It’s also referred to as antibiotic-associated colitis or C. diff colitis because it results from an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium difficile.

It’s most often caused by antibiotic use that interferes with the balance of healthy bacteria in the colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3 million U.S. adults had IBD as of 2015. IBD is a group of chronic diseases that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Many conditions fall under the IBD umbrella, but the two main types are:

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Any part of the digestive tract can be affected, but it most often develops in the ileum, the last part of the small intestine.

Early symptoms of Crohn’s disease may develop slowly over time and some may become worse. These symptoms can include:

• abdominal cramps and pain
• appetite changes
• bloody stool
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• feeling the need for more frequent bowel movements
• fever
• unexplained weight loss

Treatment usually includes anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulators (drugs that affect the immune system), antibiotics, or biologics (engineered medicines that target certain proteins or genotypes that cause inflammation).

Ulcerative colitis

This causes chronic inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. People with ulcerative colitis have an increased risk for colon cancer.

Some of the most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are:

• abdominal pain and more than usual abdominal noises
• bloody stool
• diarrhea
• fever
• rectal pain
• unexplained weight loss
• malnutrition

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition and treatment is intended to reduce flare-ups. Treatment options can be similar to Crohn’s disease. These may include anti-inflammatory medications, biologics, and immunomodulators.

Surgery may be an option with debilitating symptoms, a perforation of your colon, or severe blockages.

Ischemic colitis

Ischemic colitis occurs when there’s reduced blood flow to a portion of the colon. This stops the cells in your digestive system from getting the oxygen they need.

It’s usually caused by narrowed or blocked arteries. People age 60 or older, have IBS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or a clotting disorder may have an increased risk of ischemic colitis.

Ischemic colitis can affect any part of your colon, but you usually feel pain on the left side of the abdomen. It can occur gradually or suddenly.

Symptoms on your right side may indicate blocked arteries to your small intestine that can quickly cause necrosis of intestinal tissue. This is life-threatening and requires urgent surgery to clear the blockage and remove the damaged portion.

If you feel severe pain on the right side of your abdomen, don’t delay in getting emergency medical care.

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Allergic reactions

Allergic colitis is more common in babies than adults and can be temporary. The inflammation is an allergic reaction to the proteins found in cow’s milk. A baby with an inflamed colon may be irritable, gassy, and have blood or mucus in their stools. Anemia and malnutrition are also possible.

Eosinophilic colitis is similar to allergic colitis. When it occurs in an infant, it usually resolves by early childhood. In adolescents and adults, the condition is often chronic.

The exact cause of eosinophilic colitis isn’t always known, though proteins in cow’s milk often make symptoms worse. People with a personal or family history of allergies and asthma appear to have a higher risk.

Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis can be seen only through a microscope. It’s characterized by an increase in lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell, in the lining of the colon.

There are two types of microscopic colitis, and though both show an increase in lymphocytes, each type affects the tissue of your colon differently:

• Lymphocytic colitis has a higher number of lymphocytes, and the tissues and lining of the colon are of normal thickness.
• In collagenous colitis, the layer of collagen under the lining of the colon is thicker than normal.

The cause of microscopic colitis is unknown, but researchers believe it may be linked to:

• autoimmune diseases
• certain medications
• infections
• genetics

The symptoms of this type of colitis often come and go, sometimes disappearing without treatment.

Drug-induced colitis

Certain medications, mainly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have been linked to the inflamed colon in some people. Older people and people with a history of long-term use of NSAIDs appear to be at the highest risk of developing this type of colitis.

Even though there are different types of colitis with different causes, most of the symptoms are the same:

• diarrhea with or without blood
• abdominal pain and cramping
• fever
• urgency to have a bowel movement
• nausea
• bloating
• weight loss
• fatigue

Treatment for colitis may vary depending on the cause. If it’s caused by an allergy to a certain food or side effect from a drug, your doctor will recommend removing the food from your diet or changing medication.

Most types of colitis are treated using medication and changes to diet. The goal of treatment for colon inflammation is to reduce the inflammation-causing symptoms.

Medications used to treat colitis may include:

• anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids and aminosalicylates
• immunosuppressants
• antibiotics
• anti-diarrheal medications
• supplements, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D

The following lifestyle changes may help relieve your symptoms:

• keep track of and avoid foods that trigger or worsen your symptoms
• consider eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
• avoid foods that increase stool output, such as caffeine and raw fruits and vegetables
• consider limiting alcohol consumption
• if you smoke, consider quitting; a doctor can help you create a plan that’s right for you

Surgery may be recommended if other treatments aren’t able to relieve your symptoms or if you have severe damage to your colon.

Chronic diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, or blood in your stool should be evaluated by a doctor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly and makes it difficult for you to get comfortable may be a sign of a serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment.

The symptoms of colitis can cause discomfort that impacts your quality of life. There are treatment options that can help. Speak with your doctor to find out the best way to treat your symptoms.

Colon infection: Everything you need to know about it

Infection is one of the causes of colon inflammation. (Source: File Photo/Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Intestinal infections continue to be a cause of worry for many patients and their families. As per a June 2019 study published in Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, in a developing country like India, intestinal parasitic infections remain an important public health concern. “The infection remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children. It is presumed that the prevalence is high in developing countries probably due to poor sanitary conditions and improper personal hygiene practices.”

Colon infection

Colitis is a chronic digestive disease characterised by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, the long, coiled, tube-like organ, also known as the large intestine, that is known to remove water and salt from digested food. When the body is ready for bowel movement, the waste is dumped into the rectum. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), “the colon is a common site of infection for a heterogeneous group of bacterial pathogens”.

As per Dr Vivek Vij, director, Fortis Hospital, Noida; Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram; Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, “Colon infection or colitis is a broad term comprising any infection (bacterial, viral, amoebic etc.) of the large intestine. It can happen due to unhygienic food, water, etc.”

Symptoms

Inflamed colon symptoms include diarrhoea with or without blood, abdominal pain and cramping, fever, nausea, fatigue, weight loss and bloating, among others.

Causes of colon inflammation

Infection is one of the causes of colon inflammation. Colitis can be caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Infection colitis can be contracted from contaminated water, foodborne illnesses or poor hygiene.

Other causes include Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), ischemic colitis and diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Prevention

It can also occur spontaneously in some patients with decreased immunity. It can be prevented by ensuring consumption of hygienic food and clean water. Patients with decreased immunity should be in regular touch with their physicians, advised Dr Vij.

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Detection

Some common tests for colitis include X-rays of the colon, testing the stool for blood and pus, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Additional tests include stool cultures and blood tests, including blood chemistry tests.

Treatment

As per NCBI, “The presentation of disease in the colon is generally in the form of distinct syndromes, and it is important for physicians to recognise the causative organisms, because specific treatment is highly effective. ”

The treatment depends on what is causing colitis. Many cases require a little more than symptomatic care, including clear fluids to rest the bowel and medications to control pain. Patients who have are acutely ill often need intravenous fluids among other interventions.

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While colon infection caused by diarrhoea and colitis may potentially require antibiotics, depending on the cause, viral infections require fluids and time. Some bacterial infections, such as salmonella, do not need antibiotic therapy as the body is able to get rid of the infection on its own. Other bacterial infections, such as Clostridium difficile, require antibiotic treatment.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Medications are often used to control IBD. Anti-inflammatory medications may be used initially and medications that suppress the immune system can be added, if necessary. Surgery may be an option in severe cases, including removal of the colon and small intestine.

Ischemic colitis

Intravenous fluids are given to rest the bowel and prevent dehydration. If sufficient blood supply is not restored, surgery may be needed to remove parts of the bowel that lost blood supply.

Also Read

Diarrhea and abdominal pain

Initial treatment at home may include a clear fluid diet for 24 hours and rest. If symptoms resolve quickly, no further care is needed.

Intestinal infection – articles from the specialists of the clinic “Mother and Child”

Bazyrova Tatyana Alexandrovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Clinic “Mother and Child” Irkutsk

Summer is a long-awaited vacation period, a time when many parents try to take their children to the sea, where there is sun and sand. However, there are some infectious diseases that can overshadow our holiday. Most often in the summer, these are intestinal infections.

An intestinal infection is a disease caused by pathogenic viruses (rotavirus, enterovirus) or bacteria (dysentery bacillus, salmonella, staphylococcus, etc.) that affects the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Penetrating into the human body, pathogens of intestinal infections begin to multiply actively. As a result, the digestion process is disturbed, and the intestinal mucosa becomes inflamed.

Most intestinal infections are transmitted very easily: it can be poor-quality food and drinking water, dirty hands, dirty toys, contact with feces (especially while walking), violations of food storage conditions, and infection can also occur from a sick person (through the air) .

An intestinal infection is manifested by diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, a decrease or lack of appetite, abdominal pain, weakness and lethargy appear. The most dangerous complication of any intestinal infection can be dehydration. Severe dehydration is especially dangerous in children under 2 years of age, when it can occur within 6 hours with profuse vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of dehydration in young children: dryness of the mucous membrane of the mouth, lips, skin, anxiety, palpitations, reduced frequency of urination, in severe cases, bulging or retraction of the large fontanelle, pale marbled skin, sunken eyes.

In order to avoid dehydration during an intestinal infection, it is necessary to give the child to drink in small portions of 1 teaspoon every 5 minutes of any saline solution (regidron, human electrolyte, oralit, any mineral water, just salt water) warmed up to body temperature. Fractional feeding of a child with saline solutions is the most important step in the fight against dehydration. The main rule for intestinal infections is FRACTIONAL DRINKING. Once again, I emphasize only fractional drinking, when consuming a large amount of liquid at a time, for example, a glass of water, vomiting will resume.

To reduce intoxication, the child is given sorbents in the intervals between meals and taking medications (smecta, enterosleg sweet, laktofiltrum, polysorb).

Also, for successful treatment, diet therapy plays an important role. The diet for intestinal infection consists in the exclusion from the diet of any dairy products and fresh vegetables and fruits. It is necessary to follow the diet for at least 7-10 days. The meaning of diet therapy is to reduce inflammation in the intestines and gradually restore its function. Breastfed babies should continue breastfeeding as breast milk contains some protective factors against intestinal infections. But children who are artificially fed, for the duration of illness, must be transferred to a low- or lactose-free mixture, in case of a severe course of the infectious process – to hydrolyzed mixtures. The use of specialized mixtures reduces the severity and duration of the disease.

Remember, if any signs of an intestinal infection appear, the child must be examined by a pediatrician!

As a conclusion, I will say a few words about the prevention of intestinal infections. Firstly, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (clean hands, well-washed vegetables, fruits, drinking only proven drinking water, for example, bottled). Secondly, the exclusion of possible contacts with patients, which can often occur when swimming in a public pool. It is always better to go swimming in the sea. Thirdly, there is specific prevention – vaccination against rotavirus infection.

So that an intestinal infection does not take you by surprise, do not forget the basic rules for preventing these infections.

I wish you a good rest and be healthy!

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complete guide. How to identify, cure and prevent?

Intestinal infections creep up unnoticed, but they significantly change life and plans. We talk about who is most at risk, how to protect yourself and loved ones from infectious diseases, and what to do if you do get sick.

Contents

• What are intestinal infections and where do they come from
• How to identify the symptoms of an intestinal infection
• How to be treated and not pass on an intestinal infection to others
• Avoiding rotavirus, stomach flu and other intestinal infections
• Note

What are intestinal infections and where do they come from

Normally, many different types of bacteria live in our intestines. The key to the well-being of the microbiota is the bacterial balance, which can be easily disturbed.

Intestinal infections – infection of the body with bacteria, viruses or parasites through the gastrointestinal tract.

If food, antibiotics or infection cause dysbacteriosis, intestinal inflammation begins, which is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms.

Dysbacteriosis is a violation of the bacterial balance in the intestine.

Sources of intestinal infections are pathogenic bacteria and viruses that enter the body with water or food. For example, if you swam in dirty water and accidentally swallowed some, ate undercooked meat, raw egg or fish, or expired kefir.

The cause of rotavirus infection of the intestine is a virus of the Reoviridae family, genus Rotavirus, which is resistant to environmental factors. In water, Rotavirus remains viable for up to several months. On vegetables and fruits can be up to 30 days.

An underestimated source of intestinal infection is patients without clinical manifestations of the disease.

Intestinal infections are also called “dirty hands disease” because contact can also be transmitted. A person remains contagious throughout the entire cycle of the disease: from the incubation period to full recovery. And it can take up to several weeks. The infection enters the environment with feces and vomit, and the viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets.

Photo by Scott Webb / Unsplash

During the summer, the risk of contracting intestinal infections is higher.

People interact more and more closely with each other, food has a shorter shelf life, and bacteria multiply faster in warm weather. It is important to pay attention to the hygiene of children, who often accidentally swallow contaminated sea water and taste everything they see.

Bacterial pathogens of intestinal infections: Shigella, Salmonella, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Brucella, Clostridia. Bacterial intestinal infections associated with infection with staphylococcus and salmonellosis are more often diagnosed.

Viral pathogens of intestinal infections: rotavirus, enterovirus, adenovirus.

How to spot the symptoms of a gut infection

The incubation period for a gut infection is 4 to 48 hours, in some cases up to two weeks or more.

Photo by Clay Banks / Unsplash

Symptoms of intestinal infection:

• Fever
• Frequent vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting
• Persistent diarrhea (sometimes with mucus or blood) headache, body aches, runny nose.

Rotavirus infection is also called “intestinal flu”

All of these symptoms can be classified as food poisoning. But here’s what to look for so as not to confuse the symptoms of an intestinal infection with something else:

• symptoms last longer than 2-3 days;
• vomiting and diarrhea do not stop, and abdominal pain is not relieved by vomiting;
• there is an admixture of mucus or blood in the stool, the color of urine or feces has changed significantly;
• you are fainting or have underlying chronic conditions.

In this course of the disease, we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor. The consequences of infections are much more serious than the consequences of poisoning.

Important : Do not take antibiotics unless advised by your doctor. Especially if you have a viral infection. With a virus, they are ineffective and can harm by destroying the intestinal microflora.

How to be treated and not pass on an intestinal infection to others

Treatment of an intestinal infection depends on the causative agent and the severity of the infectious disease.

For example, dysentery or norovirus can be treated at home. But only a specialist will help with salmonellosis. In any case, to make a decision on treatment you need to call a doctor and take laboratory tests .

It is possible to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one only by passing tests.

Here’s what you can do to start:

• Restore the water-salt balance. It is better to drink boiled or bottled water with the addition of special rehydration solutions.
• Take enterosorbents to relieve intoxication of the body, as well as painkillers and antipyretics.
• Exclude from the diet fried, salty, spicy, raw.
• If you want to eat, it is better to give preference to simple food: soup, rice, bread.
• More rest.

Photo by Steve Johnson / Unsplash

How to avoid infecting others if you or your loved ones get sick?

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
• Regularly disinfect common areas and the patient’s room: especially the toilet, bathroom, kitchen.
• Give the sick person separate dishes and towels.
• Change bedding and clothes regularly and wash them at high temperature (60°C).
• Limit your social circle, isolate the sick person.

Going to public places is recommended not earlier than two days after the complete disappearance of symptoms of intestinal infection, and places such as swimming pool – better after two weeks.

How to avoid getting rotavirus, intestinal flu and other intestinal infections

There are a few simple rules that will help reduce the risk of contracting an intestinal infection:

• Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after visiting public places, toilets, transport.
• Eat only cooked foods: especially meat, fish and eggs. With caution – dairy and lactic acid products.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
• Avoid expired products.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water (especially on vacation), do not swallow water when swimming in open water.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash

The main risk groups for intestinal infections are young children and the elderly, patients with immunodeficiency, employees of medical institutions and catering.

It is easy to re-infect with an intestinal infection – immunity to it is not developed. However, a healthy gut microbiota will increase the body’s defenses and ease the course of the disease.

The more diverse the bacterial composition of the intestine, the stronger the immune system and the body’s immune response. That’s why it’s so important to take care of the good bacteria and keep them in balance in your gut.

To assess the diversity of your gut microbiota, use the Atlas Microbiota Test.

Note:

• Intestinal infections are most susceptible to children under 5 years of age, the elderly and people with immunodeficiency diseases.
• In the summer, you should be especially careful: do not swallow water while swimming, monitor the quality of processing and shelf life of products, try to drink only bottled water, wash hands and food thoroughly.
• Depending on the causative agent of the intestinal infection and the severity of the disease, the doctor will be able to prescribe the correct treatment. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms, their intensity and duration, consult a specialist and get tested.
• 100% protection against intestinal infection is impossible. But you can help your immune system and body by keeping your gut microbiota healthy.

• Munot K. et al., Small Intestinal Infections.