- Types of colitis
- 1. Ulcerative colitis
- 2. Pseudomembranous colitis
- 3. Nervous colitis
- 4. Ischemic colitis
- Main symptoms
- How the treatment is done
- Home remedy option for colitis
Colitis is an intestinal inflammation that causes symptoms such as alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation, which can be caused by food poisoning, stress or bacterial infections. Because it has several causes, colitis can be divided into several types, the most common being ulcerative, pseudomembranous, nervous and ischemic.
Treatment is done according to the cause, but it is usually indicated by the gastroenterologist to use medications that relieve symptoms, such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. In addition, it is important to have a diet prescribed by a nutritionist for colitis to avoid irritation of the intestine and the appearance of further injuries.
Types of colitis
Colitis has several causes, which can happen due to stress, anxiety, infection by viruses, bacteria or fungi, inflammation or allergic reactions to food, for example. Thus, colitis can be classified according to the cause, the main ones of which include:
1. Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the intestine characterized by the presence of several ulcers in the intestinal wall that cause a lot of discomfort. Ulcers can appear along the intestine, in isolated parts or at the end. In addition to the presence of ulcers, there may be diarrhea with mucus and blood, abdominal pain and fever.
The cause of ulcerative colitis is still unclear, but it is possible that it happens due to genetic factors, often related to the immune system, and infections by viruses or bacteria. Learn more about ulcerative colitis.
When ulcerative colitis is quickly identified, the gastroenterologist is able to quickly treat and eliminate the cause and wounds, however, with the progression of inflammation, the lesions are irreversible. In addition, people who have untreated ulcerative colitis are more likely to have colorectal cancer. See what the symptoms of colorectal cancer are.
2. Pseudomembranous colitis
Pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by diarrhea with a very liquid consistency, severe abdominal cramps, fever and general malaise and is associated, in most cases, with the use of antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin and Azithromycin. This type of colitis is also associated with the presence of the bacterium Clostridium difficile , which produces and releases toxins that can damage the walls of the intestine. Understand more about pseudomembranous colitis.
3. Nervous colitis
Nervous colitis, also called irritable bowel syndrome, is more common in young people and is caused by psychological conditions, such as stress and anxiety, for example, which makes the intestine more sensitive and favors the occurrence of injuries. This type of colitis is characterized by pain, abdominal swelling and excessive gas. See what are the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
4. Ischemic colitis
Ischemic colitis is closely related to the person's lifestyle, as its main cause is the clogging of the main intestinal arteries due to the presence of fatty plaques, which leads to the formation of ulcers, abscesses and swelling, in addition to increasing the probability bleeding happens. Thus, the best way to prevent ischemic colitis is by improving eating habits and practicing physical exercises.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms associated with colitis are:
- Abdominal pain; Alternation between periods of diarrhea and constipation; Presence of mucus in the stools; Bloody stools; Fever; Chills; Dehydration; Presence of mouth sores in some cases; Gases.
The diagnosis of colitis is made by the gastroenterologist after the appearance of the first symptoms through tests such as computed tomography, X-ray, colonoscopy with biopsy or opaque enema, which is an image exam that uses X-ray and contrast to assess the conditions of the large intestine and rectum. Understand how the opaque enema exam is done.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for colitis is done with the objective of relieving the symptoms, being often prescribed by the doctor the use of Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, for example, to relieve abdominal pain and reduce fever. In addition, depending on the cause, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics, such as Metronidazole or Vancomycin. Learn more about treatment for colitis.
Some recommendations for the treatment of colitis are to avoid the consumption of raw foods and to chew the food very well. If the symptoms persist, it will be necessary to follow a liquid diet, to drink vegetable juices such as beet or cabbage juice, for example. It is also very important to increase the bacterial flora by eating a greater amount of probiotic foods such as yogurt and fermented milk, for example. See how the diet for colitis is made.
Treatment for colitis can also be done using drugs to stop diarrhea and improve the absorption of nutrients by the intestine, in addition to the intake of dietary supplements, but always under medical guidance.
Home remedy option for colitis
A great home remedy for colitis is apple juice, which is a good source of fiber and water, relieving the intestinal mucosa and decreasing the symptoms of colitis. See this and other recipes for home remedies for colitis.
