Colitis
1072308
225808850
2008-07-15T14:35:31Z
Rod57
2542622
/* Notes */ add see also CDAD ~~~~
{{DiseaseDisorder infobox |
Name = Colitis |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|K|50| |k|50}} - K52 |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|558}} |
Image = |
Caption = |
DiseasesDB = 31340 |
ICDO = |
OMIM = 191390 |
MedlinePlus = 001125 |
eMedicineSubj = ped |
eMedicineTopic = 435 |
MeshName = Colitis |
MeshNumber = C06.405.205.265 |
}}
'''Colitis''' is a [[Chronic (medical)|chronic]] [[digestive diseases|digestive disease]] characterized by [[inflammation]] of the [[colon (anatomy)|colon]].
Colitis is one of a group of conditions which are inflammatory and auto-immune, affecting the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system (the large and small intestine). It is classed as an [[inflammatory bowel disease]] (IBD), not to be confused with [[irritable bowel syndrome]] (IBS).
==Signs and symptoms==
General [[sign (medicine)|signs]] and [[symptom]]s of colitis include [[pain]], tenderness in the abdomen, [[Clinical depression|depression]], rapid weight loss, aches and pains within the joints, [[Fatigue (medical)|fatigue]], changes in bowel habits (increased frequency), [[fever]]; swelling of the colon tissue, [[erythema]] (redness) of the surface of the colon, [[ulcer]]s on the colon (in ulcerative colitis) which can [[bleeding|bleed]], mucus in the [[Human feces|stool]], blood in stool and rectal bleeding. [[Diarrhea]] may present itself, although some forms of colitis are [[constipation]] so the stool and bowel movements can appear "normal".
Other symptoms may include: gas, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, reflux, [[Gastroesophageal reflux disease|Gastro oesophageal reflux disease]] (GORD or GERD when using the alternative spelling ''esophageal''), cramps, urgency and many other uncomfortable aches in the gastrointestinal system.
Common tests which reveal these signs include [[X-ray]]s of the colon, testing the stool for blood and pus, [[sigmoidoscopy]], and [[colonoscopy]]. Additional tests include [[stool culture]]s and [[blood test]]s, including blood chemistry tests. A high [[erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] (ESR) is one typical finding in acute exacerbations of colitis.
==Types==
Types of colitis include [[ulcerative colitis]] (UC), [[Crohn's disease|Crohn's colitis]], [[diversion colitis]], [[ischemic colitis]], infectious colitis, fulminant colitis, collagenous colitis, [[chemical colitis]], [[microscopic colitis]], [[lymphocytic colitis]], and [[atypical colitis]].
A well-known subtype of infectious colitis is [[pseudomembranous colitis]], which results from infection by a toxigenic strain of ''[[Clostridium difficile]]'' (c-diff).<ref name="WebMDc">
"Clostridium Difficile Colitis - Overview",
[[WebMD]] from Healthwise, September 2006, webpage:
[http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/clostridium-difficile-colitis-overview WebMD-clostridium-difficile-colitis].
</ref>
[[Parasitic]] infections can also cause colitis.
Any colitis with a rapid downhill clinical course is known as fulminant colitis. In addition to the [[diarrhea]], [[fever]], and [[anemia]] seen in colitis, the patient has severe abdominal pain and presents a clinical picture similar to that of [[septicemia]], where [[Shock (medical)|shock]] is present. Approximately half of these patients require surgery.
[[Irritable bowel syndrome]], a separate disease, has been called spastic colitis or spastic colon. This name causes confusion, since colitis is not a feature of irritable bowel syndrome.
==Treatment==
Treatment of colitis may include the administration of [[antibiotic]]s and general non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
(NSAIDS) medications such as [[Mesalamine]] (Asacol) or its derivatives; [[Azathioprine]] or similar [[immunosupressant]]s; [[glucocorticoids|steroids]] such as [[prednisolone]] and [[prednisone]]; one or several of a number of other drugs that ameliorate inflammation and pain ([[buscopan]]). As it is a chronic condition the objective is "remission" rather than cure.
[[Surgery]] is required only when the patient suffers from regular or permanent flare ups, especially in cases of fulminant colitis. Surgery usually entails removing the colon and bowel and creating a "pouch" with a portion of the small intestine, which in time adopts the characteristics of the colon.
Medical opinion is divided on the role of diet in colitis and IBD. Anecdotally, some sufferers find a change in diet can be effective at treating the symptoms of colitis and easing the side effects.<ref name="pmid10763951">{{cite journal |author=Geerling BJ, Dagnelie PC, Badart-Smook A, Russel MG, Stockbrügger RW, Brummer RJ |title=Diet as a risk factor for the development of ulcerative colitis |journal=Am. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=95 |issue=4 |pages=1008–13 |year=2000 |pmid=10763951 |doi=}}</ref> These can include reducing the intake of [[carbohydrate]]s, [[lactose]] products, [[soft drinks]], [[caffeine]] and spicy foods. This approach has been championed by [[Elaine Gottschall]].
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
== See also ==
*[[CDAD]]
==External links==
* [http://www.ccfc.ca Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada]
* [http://www.ccfa.org Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America]
* [http://www.nacc.org.uk The National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease (UK)]
*[http://colitisinfo.googlepages.com Blog for people suffering from Colitis.]
* {{GPnotebook|422903826|Colitis}}
* [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/ Ulcerative Colitis], National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House, National Institutes of Health (in the [http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/disclaimer.htm public domain])
{{Gastroenterology}}
[[Category:Inflammations]]
[[Category:Digestive diseases]]
[[Category:Conditions diagnosed by stool test]]
[[bg:Колит]]
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[[eo:Kojlito]]
[[fr:Inflammation du colon]]
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[[ja:大腸炎]]
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