The colon is the last part of the digestive tract that helps in digestion. Often, the outer lining of the colon gets inflamed due to infections, a condition medically known as ‘colitis’. As a result of the inflammation, the lining of the colon and rectum get sore and is often associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Colon inflammation can occur due to several reasons including bacterial infection (infectious colitis), narrowing of arteries that limit blood supply to the colon (ischemic colitis), harmful chemicals infused in the colon (chemical colitis), autoimmunity (ulcerative colitis), and colon wall glutted with lymphocytes and collagens (microscopic colitis). Colon inflammation can also be associated with colon cancer in which blood appears in the stools. The signs of ulcerative colitis are similar to another common inflammatory bowel disease, ‘crohn’s disease’. Physicians often go for colonoscopy to diagnose the disease. If you wish to learn more about the signs and symptoms of colon inflammation, here is an overview of the symptoms of the same. Read on to educate yourself more on this.
Signs & Symptoms Of Colon Inflammation
Consult with your physician for early diagnosis if you exhibit any of the above signs and symptoms. Colon infection originating from bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics along with anti-inflammatory medications. If the patient does not respond well to anti-inflammatory medication, he or she is treated with drugs that suppress the immune system. Intravenous fluid is given to patients who are suffering from ‘ischemic colitis’, to give rest to the colon. Many patients require surgical intervention to get relief from this painful condition. Doctors particularly suggest surgery when patients have massive bleeding from the colon due to the inflammation. Surgery is particularly recommended to treat a ruptured colon that is highly at risk of developing cancer. In colon surgery, surgeons usually remove the colon and the rectum and create a small opening (stoma) for release of bowel waste. A small opening is made in the abdomen which is then connected to the small intestine. A plastic bag (known as colostomy bag) is then placed over the opening where feces get accumulated.
Signs & Symptoms Of Colon Inflammation
- The most obvious symptom of colon inflammation is persistent diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever. Patients having the following symptoms for a long time should seek medical intervention before starting any medication.
- A sudden urgency in bowel movements followed by cramping pain is the first symptom of colon inflammation.
- Some patients experience chronic constipation while others experience diarrhea.
- Some complains of alternate bouts of diarrhea and constipation.
- In chronic colon inflammation, the stools differ in consistency and may be associated with mucous, blood, or froth.
- Tenesmus or constant urge of having bowel movement with painful spasm of the anal sphincter muscle during defecation without significant production of faces is one of the typical signs of colon inflammation.
- Pain in the anus is another common symptom noticed in some patients with inflamed colon.
- Constant and sharp pain in the abdomen.
- The abdominal pain can come in waves, building diarrhea, and then waning.
- Stomach cramps is another common symptom of colon inflammation.
- A change in bowel movement is also a common sign manifested by patients with inflamed colon.
- Difficulty in digestion and blotting are frequently noticed.
- Other symptoms of colon inflammation include fever, chills, dehydration, anemia, vomiting, and nausea.
Consult with your physician for early diagnosis if you exhibit any of the above signs and symptoms. Colon infection originating from bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics along with anti-inflammatory medications. If the patient does not respond well to anti-inflammatory medication, he or she is treated with drugs that suppress the immune system. Intravenous fluid is given to patients who are suffering from ‘ischemic colitis’, to give rest to the colon. Many patients require surgical intervention to get relief from this painful condition. Doctors particularly suggest surgery when patients have massive bleeding from the colon due to the inflammation. Surgery is particularly recommended to treat a ruptured colon that is highly at risk of developing cancer. In colon surgery, surgeons usually remove the colon and the rectum and create a small opening (stoma) for release of bowel waste. A small opening is made in the abdomen which is then connected to the small intestine. A plastic bag (known as colostomy bag) is then placed over the opening where feces get accumulated.
