Related articles: Colitis
Definition
The term colitis indicates an inflammatory process that affects the entire colon or just one of its segments. It is therefore a generic term, often used in common language to describe a "stomach ache" associated with diarrheal discharges and pains. In reality, there are many forms of colitis. Colitis can be primitive, when they are due to pathologies directly dependent on the colon, or secondary, when they are due to conditions related to other organs or systems. Furthermore, colitis can be distinguished as acute (often infectious and of short duration) or chronic, as in the case of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Stress, food intolerances, immune changes, bacterial, viral or parasitic infections can contribute to the appearance of colitis.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Halitosis
- Asthenia
- Cachexia
- Bad digestion
- Colic
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dysentery
- Dysuria
- Pain in a hip
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain on palpation
- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen
- Muscle pains
- heartburn
- Flatulence
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal gurgling
- Fecal incontinence
- Stomach ache
- Headache
- Functional Meteorism
- Mucorrea
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Peritonismo
- pollakiuria
- Blood in the stool
- Constipation
- Rectal tenesmus
- He retched
Further indications
Colitis typically occurs with abdominal pain associated with cramping, meteorism, constipation or diarrhea (also alternating). Sometimes, abdominal pains diminish after defecation or the expulsion of intestinal gases. Other symptoms associated with colitis can be very varied: halitosis, nausea, vomiting, mucus emission along with feces, stomach ache, digestive difficulties, rapid weight loss, sense of swelling, tension and abdominal gurgle noises. In some cases, irritation of the surface of the colon can also lead to the onset of ulcerative lesions (ulcerative colitis) that can bleed. The result is the presence of blood in the stool. Colitis can also occur with symptoms related to the urinary system (urgency to urinate, sense of incomplete or difficult emptying of the bladder), feeling of tiredness and general pain (headache and muscle pain).
The treatment of colitis varies according to the individual cases. The doctor can therefore prescribe therapies that change in relation to the symptoms present: antidiarrheal drugs, laxatives, antibiotics, immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, antispasmodics and so on. In the most serious cases it may be necessary to intervene surgically to remove the intestinal tracts compromised by the disease.
