Recognizing the causes and symptoms of colitis

Colitis or colitis in medical terms cannot be underestimated. The reason is, this disease causes quite excruciating pain. To be able to recognize the onset of its appearance, here are the causes and symptoms of colitis that you need to be aware of.

The things that cause inflammation of the colon

The following are various things that cause inflammation of the colon, namely:

Infection

Infection can occur due to viruses, bacteria, or parasites that attack the small and / or large intestine. The infection usually occurs when you eat contaminated food. Usually, colitis caused by infection will cause various symptoms such as diarrhea with or without blood, stomach cramps, and dehydration.

Due to inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are two inflammatory bowel diseases (inflammatory bowel disease or IBD) which can cause colitis. Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease that usually appears first in the rectum (the end of the large intestine) and will spread to all parts of the large intestine. Symptoms are usually stomach pain, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea.

Meanwhile, Crohn's disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract from the esophagus to the large intestine.

Ischemic colitis

Colon inflammation can also be caused by a lack of blood supply. The reason is, this blood supply provides oxygen and nutrition so that the muscles in the intestines function normally. When the large intestine is deprived of blood, inflammation can occur. As a result, you will experience stomach pain, fever, and diarrhea. The risk factors for colitis are someone with heart disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis occurs when collagen or lymphocytes infiltrate the lining of the colon and cause inflammation. This disease is an uncommon category and can be categorized as an autoimmune disease.

Allergic reactions

Colitis can be caused due to allergies. This condition generally occurs in infants under 1 year of age due to cow's milk or soy milk that is drunk by the mother. As a result, the protein in milk passes into breast milk and causes an allergic reaction.

Various symptoms of colitis

Colon inflammation usually causes a variety of fairly typical symptoms. The most visible symptoms are pain and cramps caused by inflammation. This pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen, but can also be felt anywhere along the large intestine.

In addition to pain in the stomach, various other symptoms appear, namely:

• Pain after or before a bowel movement, especially with diarrhea
• Feels like continuing to defecate
• Fever
• The body feels hot and cold
• Fatigue / weakness
• Dehydration
• Swollen joints
• The presence of inflammation in the eye
• Sprue

Being aware of the symptoms of colitis in the first place will allow you to get the right treatment right away.

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