Inflamed Colon – Everything You Need to Know

Summary

• Colon inflammation is also known as Colitis. There are different types of Colitis depending on the root cause of the inflammation. These categories are Microscopic Colitis, Ischemic Colitis, Pseudomembranous Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Allergic Colitis, and Drug-induced Colitis.
• Moreover, the appropriate treatment for Colitis depends on the cause. However, the typical medications are the following: Aminosalicylates, Antibiotics, Anti-diarrheal medications, Corticosteroid, Immunosuppressants, and Vitamin supplements. Treatments may also include several lifestyle changes.
• Several preventive measures will help avoid the occurrence of colon inflammation. These measures include eating the right type of food, avoiding stress, and following proper hygiene.

Colon inflammation is a serious condition that when left untreated may cause irreversible damage, pain, and discomfort. The general scientific name for this condition is Colitis. However, it is important to take note that treatment for this condition depends on the root cause.

If you are interested in learning more details about this condition, then you are on the right page. This article contains details about the categories, symptoms, and treatment of inflamed colons.

What Are the Categories of Colitis?

As mentioned above, inflamed colon symptoms differ depending on which category it falls under. Here are the different categories of Colitis:

●       Microscopic Colitis

This type of Colitis category is only identifiable by doctors by taking sample tissue and looking at it under a microscope, hence its name. This condition has two categories: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.

Collagenous colitis happens when the colon lining starts becoming thicker due to collagen buildup in the outermost layer of the tissue. On the other hand, Microscopic Colitis is identified as lymphocytic colitis when there is a significant number of lymphocytes.

●       Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic Colitis or IC happens when the blood flow to the colon is blocked cut. It is a condition that cannot be simply treated by top colon health supplements. This can either be caused by blood clots, fatty deposit build-ups, or Atherosclerosis.

Moreover, this type of colon inflammation is often an underlying symptom of other serious diseases. For example, colon cancer, diabetes, vasculitis, and heart failure.

●       Ulcerative Colitis

This lifelong condition is considered an inflammatory bowel disease. It produces bleeding and inflammation ulcers in the large intestine’s inner lining. It typically starts in the rectum and spreads towards the colon.

This condition occurs when your immune system overreacts to bacterias and substances from the digestive tract. It is also among the most commonly diagnosed categories of colitis.

●       Pseudomembranous Colitis

This condition occurs when there is an overgrowth of the bacterium clostridium difficile. This is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestine. It does not usually cause any issues when it is in perfect balance with good bacterias. 

There are various medications available for the treatment of clean disorders. You may check Colon Broom reviews or try out other medications in consultation with your physician to ensure that you have a healthy balance of bacteria.

●       Allergic Colitis

An inflamed colon can also be caused by an allergic reaction. Babies are mostly affected by this condition. Around 3% of infants are affected by this. The primary cause of this is a reaction to proteins present in cow’s milk.

Babies who suffer from this condition often show symptoms of gas, malnutrition, and anemia.

●       Drug-induced Colitis

Colon inflammation can also be caused by particular medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs. This is most common for elderly people and those with a history of long-term NSAIDs use. 

 What are the treatments for Inflamed Colon?

The treatment for Colitis depends on the root cause of the condition. For example, if it is due to a drug or allergic reaction, the main course of treatment is to stop taking the drugs or remove the particular food from your meals.

However, most kinds of Colitis are treated using the following medications:

●       Aminosalicylates

●       Antibiotics

●       Anti-diarrheal medications

●       Corticosteroid

●       Immunosuppressants

●       Vitamin supplements

Some treatments also require lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms and prevent reoccurrence. Here are some examples of the lifestyle changes that may be asked from patients:

●       Avoiding food triggers

●       Eating less but more frequently

●       Limiting consumption of alcohol

How to Prevent Colon Inflammation?

There are several ways to prevent colon inflammation. Here are some tips:

●       Eat Right

You can keep your colon healthy by eating the right type of food. Your diet must include items such as fish, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, white meat, nuts, beans and legumes, and whole grain.

Moreover, it is important to have the right eating habit. This includes eating at the right time with the right amount of food. As much as possible, eat less food but more frequently. This will prevent your colon from overworking. Also, keep an eye on your consumption of probiotic food such as yogurt and soft cheese. Although these are healthy food, consuming too much of them may result in the imbalance of good and bad bacterias in your gut.

●       Avoid Stress

Chronic stress can trigger pro-inflammatory bacterias and increase your chances of developing any type of Colitis. This is because stress can cause the production and translocation of poisons.

Avoiding stress may be easier said than done but there are several methods that you can try. For example, you can try meditation for a couple of minutes every day. Not only will this help reduce the chances of developing an inflamed colon but it will also help you improve your overall health.

●       Follow Proper Hygiene

If you are the type of person who often eats out or buys takeout food, the chances of developing Colitis due to dirty food is high. This is why you must ensure to only eat or buy from restaurants that follow strict hygiene protocols.

The same thing applies when you cook your meals. Make sure to wash your hand ahead of time before starting the preparation. Also, avoid using the same utensils that came in contact with raw meat ingredients because harmful bacterias can be easily transferred.

●       Drink Clean Water

You should also watch out for the quality of your drinking water if you want to avoid colon inflammation. Make sure that the water you drink is sterilized. You can do this by buying bottled water or having the appropriate drinking water filtration at home.

Also, it is important to take note that not all tap water is clean enough for drinking. If you have no choice, make sure to boil the water first before you drink it.

When is it Time to See a Doctor?

The most common symptom of an inflamed colon is discomfort in the stomach area or diarrhea. However, these symptoms might be mild and you may think that going to see a doctor is a bit overboard. So, when exactly should you go to the doctor and have yourself checked?

It is necessary to go to the doctor when the pain that you feel is sudden and unbearable. This is a huge sign that your condition requires treatment, and you need to have immediate medical care.

Going to the doctor is also ideal if your symptoms do not get better after 3 days. This may mean that your body is unable to cope with the condition and you will need more potent medication.

Final Words

Dealing with colon issues might not be the easiest thing in the world. However, it is necessary to have your problem diagnosed early and get the appropriate treatment to prevent more serious issues.