Colitis is an extremely uncomfortable condition caused by the inflammation of the colon. The severity of the disease ranges from mild to severe and individuals suffer from several symptoms. The symptoms of colitis include feeling constipated, abdominal pain and cramping, experiencing small bowel movements which are frequent in nature, and experiencing diarrhea which may or may not have blood. If you are experiencing these symptoms, visit a doctor immediately and seek treatment. There are several different causes of colitis and each underlying cause is treated differently. The different types of colitis include the likes of microscopic colitis, infectious colitis, ischemic colitis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, among others. After reviewing your history, a physical examination, imaging tests, laboratory tests, and a colonoscopy, your doctor will conclude that you are suffering from the disease and suggest treatment for its underlying cause. Here are a few of the most common causes of colitis.
Causes of Colitis
Ischemia caused by anemia or low blood pressure can decrease oxygen delivery to the colon and lead to the onset of the disease. People who have atrial fibrillation too are at a risk of developing ischemic bowel. Blood clots may form in the heart leading to the blockage of the path of blood flowing in the arteries to the colon. The flow of oxygen-rich blood to the colon may also be compromised if the blood vessels carrying this blood are mechanically obstructed. The twisting of the bowel or the herniation of the colon through the openings in the abdominal wall may lead to this.
The symptoms of colitis can be mistaken for another disease, but if you are suffering from bloody stools, it is always a cause of concern, and you must visit a doctor immediately. After you have been successfully diagnosed with the disease, your doctor will suggest treatment according to the underlying cause of the disease, among the list of probable causes of colitis. The treatment for colitis aims at providing relief from its symptoms, maintaining adequate hydration, pain control, and supportive care. Antibiotics may be administered to treat the infectious causes of the disease, while bacterial infections leading to colitis can be resolved without any antibiotic treatment. Whatever be the case, seek immediate treatment before it is too late.
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