Colon Inflammation

What is Colon Inflammation?

Colon inflammation or Colitis as it is referred to in medical terms, can be caused due to several different factors. Causes for colitis can range from infection, autoimmune disorders, fulminant colitis and vascular disorders to unexplained colon inflammation.

Types of Colon Inflammation

The most common and serious type of colitis is the one associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which, in turn, is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. But with regular screening of the colon and appropriate colon cleansing procedures, it is possible to minimize adverse effects of such inflammatory conditions and in patients who do get themselves regularly screened. Inflammatory bowel disease and associated complications are rarely life threatening.

Infection is another important cause of colon inflammation. One of the most common types of infectious colitis is pseudomembranous colitis (or antibiotic associated diarrhea) that is caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium Difficile. It is also called antibiotic associated diarrhea because pseudomembranous colitis is sometimes associated with excessive use of antibiotic medication. Antibiotics are meant to kill bacteria and indiscriminate use of antibiotic drugs could kill the beneficial bacterial species in the intestine as well. This eventually leads to lesser competition for opportunistic bacteria like Clostridium Difficile thereby causing colon inflammation.

Regular colon cleansing can be of benefit as it helps get rid of toxins thus causing relief. Ischemic colitis is caused by deficient oxygen supply to the colon. This in turn is the result of impaired blood circulation to the colon and related parts of the digestive system. Fulminant Colitis is, perhaps, the most deadly kind of colitis where death can occur within twenty four hours of presentation of the first clinical symptom.

Clinical presentation of Colitis

The signs and symptoms of each of these conditions vary with different causes, but there are few clinical symptoms that are common to most types of colitis. Such signs and symptoms include severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, constipation, painful bowel movement (tenesmus), bloody stools, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal distention and weight loss. Diagnosis of colitis will have to made with a combination of history elicited from the patient, colonoscopy results, clinical symptoms and signs elicited during physical examination and lab tests (such as blood tests, stool examination, bacterial culture if needed etc.). As colitis can be associated with underlying systemic conditions, like Crohn’s disease, a full and thorough examination of the patient is necessary before initiating treatment.

Prevention and treatment of Colitis

Treatment for Colitis is aimed at eliminating the disease causing agent and specific treatment modalities can differ between different types. Colon cleansing and colon irrigation can help improve bowel health and result in lesser fatigue. Colon cleansing is also recommended to patients with severe constipation and detoxification of the body. Patients with established colon inflammation or those placed at an increased risk of colitis must consult their doctors before undergoing colon cleansing therapy. The beneficial effects of such cleansing procedures are well established and improvement in health after the colon cleansing therapy is reflected by increased appetite and higher energy levels of the patients.