If there is inflammation in the inner lining of your colon, you may be suffering from colitis. You will have symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and blood in the stool. There may be various reasons behind the inflammation. A gastroenterologist attached to a doctor clinic in Hooghly can help you to get rid of this problem.

Types of Colitis

Colitis has different types including:

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

Risk Factors

Perforation of the bowel: When chronic inflammation weakens the intestinal wall, intestinal perforation occurs resulting in a hole. There can be infections as a large number of bacteria spills into the abdomen through the hole.

Toxic megacolon: The colon loses its ability of contraction properly and moving intestinal gas along. It gets dilated and severe complications may arise due to the resulting abdominal distension. You should seek the help of a gastroenterologist as the bowel may rupture if there is a lack of proper treatment.

Fulminant colitis: There is damage to the thickness of the intestinal wall in this condition. The intestinal wall will temporarily stop to contract. The colon will begin to expand as it loses muscle tone. The doctor can find the presence of gas in the paralyzed sections of the intestine with the help of abdominal X-rays.

Increased risk of colorectal cancer: With the severity and the duration of the disease, there is an increase in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Symptoms

The following are some of the symptoms of colitis. You should immediately consult the best doctor in Uttarpara if you have these symptoms.

  • Tenderness in the abdomen
  • Intense pain
  • Rapid loss of weight
  • Depression
  • Loss of appetite
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fatigue
  • Erythema of the colon surface
  • Swelling of the colon tissue
  • Ulcers on the colon and bleeding
  • Blood and/or mucus in the stool
  • Bleeding from the rectum

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask you to have different tests including colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, X-rays of the colon, stool tests for blood and pus, blood tests and stool culture. You can go to the diagnostic centres in Uttarpara for these tests.

Treatment

The cause of colitis is the depending factor of the treatment in a particular case.

Infection: The doctor may prescribe antibiotics for infections that cause diarrhoea and colitis. Your body also needs fluids for viral infections.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): There is a need for anti-inflammatory medications and medications that suppress the immune system. In severe cases, you may have to undergo surgery.

Ischemic colitis: Intravenous fluids help to rest the bowel and prevent dehydration. You will need surgery to remove parts of the bowel receiving no blood if restoring blood supply is not possible.

Diarrhoea and abdominal pain: Proper rest and a clear fluid diet for 24 hours may help to manage the condition. Pain relief medications are also necessary.