COLITIS

TYPES

Types of colitis includes:

• Ulcerative
• Crohn’s
• Diversion
• Ischemic
• Infectious
• Fulminant 
• Collagenous
• Chemical 
• Microscopic 
• Lymphocytic 
• Atypical 

SYMPTOMS

• Pain from inflammation – inflammation of the colon leads to watery diarrhea.
• Pain before, during, or after an episode of diarrhea – the person  may have a feeling of urgency to have a bowel movement.

Other organ systems in the body can be involved and produce symptoms, depending on the cause of the colitis, such as:

• Fever
• Chills
• Malaise
• Fatigue
• Dehydration ( include weakness, lightheadedness, and decreased urine output)

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disorders may have similar symptoms outside of the colon. This may include:

• Joint swelling
• Eye inflammation
• Cancer sores in the mouth (aphthous ulcer)
• Skin inflammation (pyoderma gangrenosum)

DIAGNOSIS

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) tests for haemoglobin and hematocrit levels. The CBC also tests the count of white blood cells, which can be increased as the body responds to infection.
• Kidney function can be tested by testing the levels of BUN (nitrogen urea) and creatinine in the blood.
• Urinalysis may show dehydration based on the specific gravity (urine concentration) 
• Blood tests for inflammation markers, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein, can also be assessed (CRP)q1
• Stool samples can be obtained for culture, as a cause of colitis, looking for bacterial and parasitic infections.

TREATMENT

The treatment of colitis depends upon the cause.

• The initial therapy for undiagnosed or untreated colitis is to stabilize the vital signs of the patient and help control pain if needed.
• Rehydration can be carried out through the mouth. For patients who are unable to handle mouth fluids or have electrolyte anomalies, intravenous fluids are needed.
• In order to manage IBD, drugs are frequently used and the choice of drug is personalized to the particular patient.
• Antibiotics are not widely used unless a specific bacteria is isolated and treatment is known to shorten the duration of the infection.
• Over-the-counter medicines to treat diarrhea, particularly if abdominal pain and fever are present, should be used with caution.
• Surgery for most types of colitis is typically not a treatment choice.