Colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon (large intestine). Treatment for this disease depends on the cause.
A doctor will examine your symptoms, review your medical history and perform various tests to find the cause of your colitis. These include blood and stool tests and imaging to look at your colon.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the large intestine (colon). In this disease, the lining of the colon becomes inflamed. This causes ulcers to form in the colon, which may bleed.
A doctor can diagnose ulcerative colitis by taking a medical history and performing a thorough physical exam. They will also ask about other health issues that might be causing your symptoms. They can perform a test that involves inserting a tube through your mouth and passing a small amount of fluid into your intestine, which will show up on an imaging scan (colonoscopy).
The cause of ulcerative colitis is not fully understood. It is thought that it could be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Some people with the disease have a family history of the condition.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person and can be mild or severe, with flare-ups that last weeks or months. Treatment can help reduce pain and diarrhea.
Many people with ulcerative colitis will need to make changes to their diet, avoiding certain foods that aggravate their symptoms. They should also increase their water intake to compensate for the loss of nutrients and fluids that are lost through diarrhea.
Some people with this condition require medication to control the symptoms. This includes anti-diarrheal medications and pain medicines.
A doctor can prescribe a drug called cyclosporine, which is given in the hospital and works to induce remission. Despite its effectiveness, it can’t be used for long due to the risk of infections and kidney damage.
Another option for people with refractory ulcerative colitis is surgery. Your surgeon can create a pouch in your lower abdomen to collect stool and drain it out of the rectum or anus into your anal canal.
Surgical removal of the bowel can relieve some of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and reduce inflammation in the colon. In some cases, surgery can be combined with other therapies to manage the disease.
In addition to these treatments, people with ulcerative colitis must adhere to a regimen of antibiotics and other medications to manage their symptoms. They should also get regular physical exams and lab tests to monitor their progress. In severe cases, steroid medicines are sometimes used to prevent flare-ups and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Ulcerative proctitis
Ulcerative proctitis is a condition that occurs when the lining of the rectum becomes inflamed. This causes pain and bleeding in the rectal area and makes evacuation difficult for the patient.
The inflammation is caused by a combination of interactions between environmental factors, intestinal flora, immune dysregulation and genetic predisposition. It may also be a side effect of certain drugs or radiotherapy used to treat prostate and rectal cancer.
While there is no known cure for ulcerative proctitis, treatment can help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best approach to help you manage your symptoms.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to assess your symptoms and the area of your colon that is inflamed. He or she might take a tissue sample (called a biopsy) from your colon and send it to a laboratory. This test can give your doctor valuable information about how severe your illness is and which parts of your colon are involved.
In most people, ulcerative proctitis begins when the immune system mistakes harmless bacteria in your digestive tract as a threat. This can cause your immune system to attack the lining of your colon and the rectum, causing inflammation.
The condition usually affects the rectum, but it can start elsewhere in your digestive tract. It’s important to see your doctor as soon as you notice any of these symptoms because they can indicate a serious problem that needs immediate attention.
If you have ulcerative proctitis and your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the affected portion of your colon. This is often done as a last resort because the disease has become more extensive and is no longer responding to other treatment regimens.
There is no cure for ulcerative proctitis, but many medications can help ease your symptoms and lead to long-term remission. These include antibiotics, a drug called azathioprine and other oral medicines.
A combination of these medications and lifestyle changes can help you maintain remission or control your symptoms. These changes may include getting adequate rest, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Left-sided colitis
Left-sided colitis, also known as distal ulcerative colitis, is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s caused by abnormal responses of the body’s immune system that lead to inflammation within the intestinal tract. This causes tiny ulcers to develop in the lining of the colon. These ulcers then produce mucus and pus that may lead to a variety of symptoms.
Left sided colitis is a chronic condition, meaning that it will continue to produce symptoms throughout the life of the person who has it. While there is no cure at this time, many people manage their condition with diet and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms of left sided colitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, and cramping. These symptoms often come and go, causing the person to flare up or experience periods of remission.
A common symptom is bloody stools, which can indicate serious damage to the colon. If you have any stools that contain blood, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.
Another symptom of left-sided colitis is tenesmus, which is the feeling that you have to have a bowel movement even when your bowels are empty. This can be painful and debilitating, as it can keep you from performing daily tasks.
Other signs of left-sided colitis are rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and anemia, which is a low blood count. If you have anemia, you’ll need iron supplements or a blood transfusion.
Treatment for left-sided colitis will vary from patient to patient. The severity of the symptoms will play a big role in the choice of medication. If the symptoms are mild, doctors may recommend a medication called 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), which can reduce inflammation in your intestines.
If your symptoms are moderate to severe, doctors may prescribe oral corticosteroids. These medications can help control the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with left-sided colitis, your doctor will likely perform a procedure that lets them see the inside of your colon with a lighted camera. This allows your doctor to look for signs of inflammation and a sign that you have left sided colitis.
Pancolitis
Pancolitis is a subtype of ulcerative colitis, where the inflammation has spread to cover your colon’s entire lining. It affects about 20-40% of those who have this inflammatory bowel disease.
This condition is usually a chronic illness that causes discomfort, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding from time to time. Symptoms are worse when you have more colon tissue that’s inflamed, so your doctor will likely do some tests to see if the disease has spread to more parts of your intestine.
The severity of the symptoms depends on how much of your colon is inflamed and if you have other diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, that can affect your digestive system. Your doctor may perform a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to diagnose the problem.
During the test, your doctor will insert a tube into your belly to take a look at your colon. He or she will also look at your stools for clues as to how well you’re digesting food.
Your doctor might also give you antibiotics to kill any infection, and steroids to reduce the inflammation. These drugs can be injected or taken by mouth. Anti-inflammatory medicines called 5-aminosalicylates can help control your symptoms as well.
A change in your diet can also improve your symptoms. It’s recommended to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. You should also avoid foods that irritate your colon, such as spicy or high-fat dishes.
You should also consider changing your lifestyle to support a healthy gut microbiome and reduce your consumption of saturated fats. This type of diet can help balance the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation.
You can also make changes to your sleep schedule and stress levels, as well as exercise. This can improve your energy, relieve stress, and ease pain. It’s important to note, though, that there’s no single thing you can do to prevent or cure this disorder, and it may take years to improve your condition.
