Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms: Difference between revisions

	Pseudomembranous colitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pseudomembranous Colitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
X Ray
CT
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms
CDC on Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms
Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms in the news
Blogs on Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pseudomembranous colitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pseudomembranous colitis history and symptoms

Revision as of 20:52, 5 September 2012

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by

Diarrhea: Usually, the diarrhea is non-bloody, although blood may be present if the affected individual is taking blood thinners or has an underlying lower bowel condition such as hemorrhoids.
Abdominal pain: Abdominal pain is almost always present and may be severe. So-called "peritoneal" signs (e.g. rebound tenderness) may be present.
Fever: "Constitutional" signs such as fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite are prominent.

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ==History==
 ==Symptoms==
-As noted above, pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Usually, the diarrhea is non-bloody, although blood may be present if the affected individual is taking blood thinners or has an underlying lower bowel condition such as hemorrhoids. Abdominal pain is almost always present and may be severe. So-called "peritoneal" signs (e.g. [[rebound tenderness]]) may be present. "Constitutional" signs such as fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite are prominent. In fact, one of the main ways of distinguishing pseudomembranous colitis from other antibiotic-associated diarrheal states is that patients with the former are ''sick''. That is, they are often prostrate, lethargic, and generally look unwell. Their "sick" appearance tends to be paralleled by the results of their blood tests which often show [[anemia]], an elevated [[white blood cell count]], and low [[serum albumin]].
+Pseudomembranous colitis is characterized by
+*[[Diarrhea]]: Usually, the diarrhea is non-bloody, although blood may be present if the affected individual is taking blood thinners or has an underlying lower bowel condition such as hemorrhoids.
+*[[Abdominal pain]]: Abdominal pain is almost always present and may be severe. So-called "peritoneal" signs (e.g. [[rebound tenderness]]) may be present.
+*[[Fever]]: "Constitutional" signs such as fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite are prominent.
 ==References==