The word "colic" is very similar to the word "colic", so often people call it any cramping and bloating in the lower abdomen. However, the symptoms of intestinal colitis are very different from colic and require serious treatment.
What is intestinal colitis
This is an inflammatory disease that spreads to individual parts of the mucous membrane of the colon or to all its parts.
Signs of colitis:
- rumbling, bloating, abdominal pain;
- urge to defecate;
- diarrhea, possibly with mucus or blood;
- complications in the form of inflammation of the stomach or small intestine.
Types of colitis:
- chronic;
- acute infectious;
- nonspecific ulcerative;
- ischemic (in the elderly).
Causes of colitis:
- an infection in the gastrointestinal tract;
- poor quality food;
- worms;
- monotonous or malnutrition;
- prolonged use of antibiotics;
- alcohol abuse;
- hygiene violation.
- previous intestinal infections.
Acute colitis
Most often found in acute intestinal infections (dysentery, yersiniosis), with various poisonings and allergies. Symptoms of intestinal colitis: fever, sweating, weakness, dizziness, dry, coated tongue. Frequent diarrhea appears with blood, mucus. The stomach hurts with contractions, it can be greatly swollen, and with very severe diarrhea, on the contrary, it is retracted. Pressure on the colon is painful.
For diagnosis, bacteriological examination of feces is carried out, X-ray and colonoscopy are done.
Chronic colitis
Most often it occurs due to malnutrition, gastritis, pancreatitis, alcohol abuse, dysbiosis, frequent food poisoning. The main symptoms of intestinal colitis in the chronic form are increased stool up to 15 times a day, and constipation is replaced by diarrhea. Often, bowel movements become very offensive. In addition, pain in the lower abdomen and increased pain during bowel movements are noted.
Diagnose chronic colitis using irrigoscopy, which allows you to determine the location and extent of the disease, the depth of inflammation and its severity.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis
This is a necrotizing inflammation of the rectum. Symptoms of intestinal colitis of this type: diarrhea with pus, blood, mucus, abdominal pain. The temperature rises, the patient begins to lose weight very strongly. Pallor, fatigue, anemia develops.
The causes of this disease may lie in the area of the immune system, infections, and especially sensitive intestinal mucosa. Non-specific colitis is dangerous in that it can lead to abscesses, fistulas, ruptures of the intestinal wall, internal bleeding. Therefore, at the first symptoms you need to urgently consult a doctor. The diagnosis is made only after endoscopy, x-rays and histology.
Colitis treatment
Always includes the use of drugs and strict dietary compliance. Rough foods and dairy products are excluded. Food should be easily digestible and be rich in vitamins and minerals. Exercise, stress should be avoided.
Medication includes medicines for diarrhea, sulfa drugs, enzymes, and sedatives. In acute nonspecific colitis, surgery may be necessary.
Treatment of colitis at home is based on diet and the use of herbs. These fees can be successfully combined with traditional medicines.
Improvement in complex treatment occurs in a few weeks. However, a lasting effect is achieved only after six months of regular intake of infusions of medicinal herbs, diet and medications.
Self-medication for all types of colitis is contraindicated, so be sure to seek help, conduct an examination and follow the doctor’s instructions.