Everyone in his life at least once faced with colitis: discomfort in the abdomen, upset stool, discomfort and the feeling that he had swallowed a stone. These are all signs of colitis.
Intestinal colitis is an inflammatory lesion of the colon of an infectious, toxic, autoimmune, or other established etiology. As it has already become clear, this is a very common disease: in gastroenterological practice, every 5 patients go to the doctor precisely for this pathology.
It is worth noting that with severe current colitis, there is a high risk of developing complications, sometimes quite formidable (up to a fatal outcome). Therefore, one cannot look at the described disease “through the fingers”, hoping for a chance. What you need to know about such an unpleasant disease?
Causes of intestinal colitis in adults
Colitis is a monoethiological disease. Almost always, one factor plays a role in its formation. What factors can we talk about:
• Alimentary reasons. They are nutrition factors. Irregular food intake, lack of a normal diet, the use of large amounts of fatty, fried foods, "fast food", all this leads to the development of inflammation of the colon.
• Infectious factor. For the time being, the pathogenic microflora of the intestine is in a latent, latent state. But it is worth the human immunity to fail, as pathogenic microorganisms immediately make themselves felt. Infectious colitis begins. Most often, E. coli becomes its causative agent.
• Autoimmune cause. Colitis can also be allergic. This form of the disease is especially common in children. In adults, autoimmune colitis is represented by Crohn's disease.
• Colitis can be congenital. In this case, we are talking about genetic disorders and congenital malformations of the fetus.
• Medicinal reasons. When taking certain groups of drugs, the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon is possible. This is drug colitis. Long-term use of such medicines only enhances the development of pathological symptoms.
• Toxic factors. Poisoning with phosphorus, mercury, arsenic and other substances leads to the development of inflammation of the intestinal epithelium.
• Mechanical factors also capable of causing persistent colitis. This includes frequent use of enemas, suppositories, etc.
In a number of cases, according to clinical studies, it was not possible to determine the cause of colitis. This is a disease of unknown origin.
In extremely rare cases, colitis can be combined when several reasons are combined. The share of polyetiological disease accounts for no more than 1-2% of all cases.
Characteristic symptoms of intestinal colitis in adults
Intestinal colitis in adults has many symptoms that are very characteristic:
• Pain syndrome. The main symptom of colitis. The pains with this pathology are aching, dull, worse during walking, physical exertion. Weaken after the act of defecation. Localization - the lower abdomen on the left. This is where the so-called the sigmoid colon, which is most often exposed to inflammation. In some cases, the nature of the pain syndrome is diffuse, without a clear localization.
• Tenesmus. False urge to defecate. Productive results do not end. Typically, this process ends with the release of a small amount of mucus or pus in a heavily ongoing process. A small amount of blood may be released.
• Bowel movements. The stool acquires a liquid character, it becomes fetid due to the large number of bacteria vital products. In some cases, the formation of constipation and their alternation with diarrhea is possible.
• Increased gas production, frequent discharge of gases.
Together, these symptoms of colitis in adults make up the classic clinical picture. Much more difficult is ulcerative colitis. In addition to the already mentioned symptoms, this form of the disease is characterized by:
• Manifestations of general intoxication of the body. Fever, headache, nausea, weakness, etc.
• Intense diarrhea with high frequency. There is a diarrhea alarm clock, which, as the name implies, will be the patient at night and early in the morning.
In the rest, this disease is characterized by all the same manifestations, but to a higher degree of intensity.
Thus, the symptoms of intestinal colitis in adults are highly variable, but not specific enough. Instrumental research is called upon to put an end to the question.
Diagnosis of colitis
Diagnostic measures begin in the doctor’s office. The examination begins with a survey of the patient for complaints. The doctor finds out their nature, strength, duration. Determines which diseases the patient has had before (history taking). Then comes the turn of physical research. Doctor holds palpation of the abdomen in the affected area, evaluates pain reactions, the structure of the affected intestine. This is necessary for differential diagnosis. So, already at this stage, tumors can be detected.
With a low process location digital examination of the rectum. Proctologists and gastroenterologists deal with problems with the intestines of this kind. First of all, it is recommended to visit a gastroenterologist. He will give the necessary recommendations.
Intestinal colitis in adults is diagnosed based on a series of instrumental and laboratory studies. Among instrumental diagnostics, one can distinguish:
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. It is necessary to identify the localization of the pathological process.
• Contrast radiography of the intestine. Minimally invasive study, which makes it possible to assess the condition of the colon.
• Colonoscopy It is carried out only during the period of disease remission, when residual effects persist. It is an endoscopic examination during which a flexible probe is inserted into the colon cavity.
• Sigmoidoscopy. It looks like a colonoscopy with the difference that only the rectum is subject to examination.
Laboratory studies include:
• General blood analysis. It is carried out in order to assess the general condition of the body. In this case, the clinical picture of inflammation will be observed with the development of leukocytosis, a high level of ESR, and a low level of red blood cells.
• Coprogram. Fecal analysis.
In the complex of these measures is enough to make an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment of intestinal colitis in adults
Treatment involves taking drugs and strict diet.
Medication for intestinal colitis in adults involves taking the following groups of drugs:
• Anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals. Needed to relieve inflammation. Nise, Ketorolac, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, etc.
• Analgesics. They help relieve pain. They must be used with great care.
• Antispasmodic drugs. Relieve spasm of smooth muscles of the intestine. Duspatalin, No-shpa, etc.
• Antibiotics.
• Anthelmintic agents.
The diet consists in the rejection of products of animal origin (fatty, fried, fatty meats, sausages). Rough bread, legumes are excluded from the diet. You can boiled lean meat, dairy products, vegetable broths and vegetables, mashed and boiled. You need to eat food in small portions, 6-8 times during the day, so as not to overload the irritated gastrointestinal tract.
Thus, treatment of intestinal colitis in adults should be comprehensive.
Adult Colitis Prevention
Prevention of intestinal colitis in adults requires compliance with a number of recommendations:
• necessary rationalize your nutrition. Fewer animal products - more plant-based products. This is an excellent prevention of all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Important in a timely manner stop all sources of infectious inflammation in the body.
• Need to keep your immune system in good shape. In no case should you be cold, take immunosuppressants and other drugs with a similar effect.
• Do not take drugs uncontrollablywith side effects such as diarrhea. Such pharmaceuticals should be taken only as directed by a doctor.
• Often you can not put enemas. This negatively affects the intestines.
It’s easier to prevent the development of the disease than to treat it later.
Colitis is an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous disease that requires urgent treatment. Do not self-medicate in any case. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to irreparable consequences. It is important to consult a doctor on time. Such a decision is most reasonable.
