Colitis (cont.)
How is colitis treated?
The treatment of colitis depends on the cause.
Often the initial treatment no matter what the cause of colitis is to
rehydrate the patient and
assist with the control of pain. Rehydration may occur by
mouth, however, in patient's who cannot tolerate fluids orally, are too dehydrated,
or have severe electrolyte abnormalities, intravenous fluids may be required.
What is the prognosis for a patient with colitis?
Patients with infectious diarrhea tend to get better relatively quickly with
supportive care. Most infections will resolve with or without specific
treatment such as antibiotics.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease probably will require lifelong
treatment to help control their symptoms. The goal, as with any long term
illness, is to allow the patient to live a normal life with minimal symptoms
from the disease.
Patients with ischemic colitis need to minimize their
risk factors for progressive narrowing of the arteries. These are the same risks
as for heart disease, including controlling high blood pressure, diabetes,
and high cholesterol; and stopping smoking. Patients with severe ischemia that leads to
dead (gangrenous) colon require surgery to remove the gangrenous segment.
Colitis At A Glance
- Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. It may cause
abdominal pain and diarrhea with or without bloody diarrhea. Fever may be
present.
- There are numerous causes of colitis including infection, inflammatory
bowel disease, ischemic and microscopic colitis.
- Blood in the stool is never normal and should not be ignored.
- Depending upon the history and physical examination, further testing may be
required to find the cause of colitis.
- Treatment of colitis often is supportive and is aimed at maintaining
adequate hydration and pain control while a diagnosis is being pursued.
Last Editorial Review: 3/10/2009
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