“What Is Colitis?”

Crohn’s Disease, named after who found it, Dr. Burrill Crohn in 1932, is also referred to as Colitis or Enteritis. It can affect any area of the body from the mouth to the anus, it most often will attack the lower intestine which is known as the Ileum.

It is estimated that up to three quarters of those with the disease will eventually need surgery when the symptoms no longer respond to treatment. Colitis is often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis. It can be hard to diagnose because symptoms are similar to other intestinal ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.

Colitis or Ulcerative Colitis is a disease that affects the large intestine or colon and it’s lining. Most who are diagnosed with this disease are in the age range of 15 to 30 years. Those who have it know the pain, the gas, it hurts! It causes ulcers and abscesses in the colon and rectum that can flare up from time to time and cause bloody stools and diarrhea. It can go away for weeks at a time and come back with a vengeance.

The symptoms are blood or pus in diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, fever, and painful bowel movements. There are medications such as sulfa drugs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and antibiotics that are commonly prescribed to help with inflammation of the bowels. It is not known why some get Colitis, but it is suspected it could be either inherited or due to poor eating habits. Researchers cite findings that show genetics do indeed play a part in this disease, although there are lifestyle factors as well, such as smoking. It was found that it also is more common in groups such as central and eastern Europeans Jewish descent.

There are a variety of ways to diagnose the disease with various tests that will distinguish it from other disorders. These include an endoscopy, such as an colonoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy, blood tests, stool samples, and X-rays. Ulcerative Colitis can be treated with drug therapy, diet, and/or surgery. These treatments do not cure the disease, but they can help. The medications that seem to be the most helpful are sulfa drugs, cortisteroids, immunosuppressive agents and antibiotics. Several medications, including sulfa drugs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and antibiotics, are used to reduce inflammation of the bowel tissue, allowing it to heal and relieve symptoms. These medications include Mesalamine and Sulfasalazine which are first-line treatments for colitis. If allergic to sulfa, let the doctor know before taking it.

Anti-inflammatory medications are used when 5-ASA’s are ineffective. These are used for those with more severe Colitis and only for short periods of time. Immunosuppressants such as 6-mercaptopurines, azathioprines, and cyclosporines can be prescribed when the aforementioned mediations are not effective. In addition to medications, a physician can often suggest to eat a healthy diet and avoid foods that will trigger Colitis.

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