Pseudomembranous colitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
m (Changes made per Mahshid's request) |
||
| (6 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
{{Pseudomembranous colitis (patient information)}} | |||
{{Pseudomembranous colitis(patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page | '''''For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click [[Clostridium difficile infection|here]].''''' | ||
{{CMG}} {{AE}} {{AN}} | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AN}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Pseudomembranous colitis is infection of the [[large intestine]] ([[colon]]) with an overgrowth of [[Clostridium difficile]] bacteria. | Pseudomembranous colitis is infection of the [[large intestine]] ([[colon]]) with an overgrowth of [[Clostridium difficile]] bacteria. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Pseudomembranous colitis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Pseudomembranous colitis?== | ||
*Abdominal cramps (mild to severe) | *Abdominal cramps (mild to severe) | ||
*Bloody stools | *Bloody stools | ||
| Line 29: | Line 19: | ||
==What are the causes of Pseudomembranous colitis?== | ==What are the causes of Pseudomembranous colitis?== | ||
The Clostridium difficile bacteria is normally seen in the intestine. However, it may overgrow when you take antibiotics. The bacteria release a powerful toxin that causes the lining of the colon to become inflammed and bleed. | The Clostridium difficile bacteria is normally seen in the intestine. However, it may overgrow when you take antibiotics. The bacteria release a powerful toxin that causes the lining of the colon to become inflammed and bleed. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 39: | ||
*Personal history of pseudomembranous colitis | *Personal history of pseudomembranous colitis | ||
==How to know you have Pseudomembranous colitis | |||
==How to know you have Pseudomembranous colitis?== | |||
Either or both of the following tests will confirm the disorder | Either or both of the following tests will confirm the disorder | ||
*Colonoscopy or flexible [[sigmoidoscopy]] | *Colonoscopy or flexible [[sigmoidoscopy]] | ||
| Line 54: | Line 47: | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider if the following symptoms occur: | Call your health care provider if the following symptoms occur: | ||
*Bloody stools after taking antibiotics | *Bloody stools after taking antibiotics | ||
| Line 61: | Line 55: | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The antibiotic or other medicine causing the condition should be stopped. [[Metronidazole]] is usually used to treat the disorder, but other medicines may also be used. | The antibiotic or other medicine causing the condition should be stopped. [[Metronidazole]] is usually used to treat the disorder, but other medicines may also be used. | ||
| Line 66: | Line 61: | ||
==Prevention of Pseudomembranous colitis== | ==Prevention of Pseudomembranous colitis== | ||
People who have had pseudomembranous colitis should inform their doctors before taking antibiotics again. | People who have had pseudomembranous colitis should inform their doctors before taking antibiotics again. | ||
==What to expect ( | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
If there are no complications, the outlook is generally good. However, up to 20% of infections may return, requiring additional treatment. | If there are no complications, the outlook is generally good. However, up to 20% of infections may return, requiring additional treatment. | ||
==Possible | ==Possible complications== | ||
*Dehydration with electrolyte imbalance | *Dehydration with electrolyte imbalance | ||
*Perforation of (hole through) the [[colon]] | *Perforation of (hole through) the [[colon]] | ||
| Line 77: | Line 75: | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
*http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000259.htm | |||
* http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000259.htm | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]] | |||
[[Category:Conditions diagnosed by stool test]] | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:49, 18 September 2017
|
Pseudomembranous colitis |
|
Pseudomembranous colitis On the Web |
|---|
|
colitis=Pseudomembranous+colitis Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pseudomembranous colitis |
For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click here.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aarti Narayan, M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Pseudomembranous colitis is infection of the large intestine (colon) with an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacteria.
What are the symptoms of Pseudomembranous colitis?
- Abdominal cramps (mild to severe)
- Bloody stools
- Fever
- Urge to have a bowel movement
- Watery diarrhea (often five to 10 times per day)
What are the causes of Pseudomembranous colitis?
The Clostridium difficile bacteria is normally seen in the intestine. However, it may overgrow when you take antibiotics. The bacteria release a powerful toxin that causes the lining of the colon to become inflammed and bleed.
The most common antibiotics associated with this condition are ampicillin, clindamycin, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins.
Pseudomembranous colitis is rare in infants younger than 12 months old and uncommon in children. It is most often seen in people who are in the hospital. However, it is becoming more common in people who take antibiotics and who are not in the hospital.
Who is at risk for Pseudomembranous colitis?
Risk factors include
- Older age
- Antibiotic use
- Use of medicines that weaken the immune system, including chemotherapy
- Recent surgery
- Personal history of pseudomembranous colitis
How to know you have Pseudomembranous colitis?
Either or both of the following tests will confirm the disorder
- Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Immunoassay for C. difficile toxin in the stool
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if the following symptoms occur:
- Bloody stools after taking antibiotics
- Five or more episodes of diarrhea per day for more than 1-2 days
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of dehydration (dry skin, dry mouth, glassy appearance of the eyes, sunken soft spots on top of head in infants, rapid pulse, confusion, excessive tiredness)
Treatment options
The antibiotic or other medicine causing the condition should be stopped. Metronidazole is usually used to treat the disorder, but other medicines may also be used.
Electrolyte solutions or fluids given through a vein may be needed to treat dehydration due to diarrhea. In rare cases, surgery is needed to treat infections that get worse or do not respond to antibiotics.
Prevention of Pseudomembranous colitis
People who have had pseudomembranous colitis should inform their doctors before taking antibiotics again.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
If there are no complications, the outlook is generally good. However, up to 20% of infections may return, requiring additional treatment.
Possible complications
- Dehydration with electrolyte imbalance
- Perforation of (hole through) the colon
- Toxic megacolon