The colon is a part of the digestive tract, the mucosa of which can be subject to acute or chronic inflammation (colitis). Cause, symptoms, diet and treatment. The point with Dr. Pauline Jouët, gastroenterologist.
Inflammation of the colon, whose medical term is colitis, manifests itself by pain intestinal, diarrheafrom the fever and fatigue. Identify them causes (diseases, stress, etc.) allows you to set up treatments appropriate. What are the symptoms Inflammation of the colon? How diagnose ? What to eat In case of inflammation of the colon?
Definition: What is an inflammation of the colon?
► “There acute colitis designates transient inflammation of the digestive mucosa. This is often of infectious origin: bacterial, viral or parasitic. Inflammation can also be of drug or ischemic origin“, Defines Dr. Pauline Jouët, gastroenterologist at Ambroise hospital parré de Boulogne-Billancourt.
► When we talk about chronic colitis, We most often designate two major chronic colon’s chronic inflammatory diseases: Crohn’s disease And Hemorrhagic rectocolitis. “”These two pathologies, which concern nearly 200,000 people in France, The common point of manifesting themselves in the form of “push” interspersed with periods during which patients have little or no symptoms“Continues the specialist.
What are the causes of colon inflammation?
“Women are more affected by Crohn’s disease”
When it is acute, colitis can be caused by:
- consumption non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
- a infection bacterial, viral or parasitic
- The first push of chronic inflammatory disease (Rectocolite hemorrhagic or Crohn’s disease).
“”We do not know precisely the cause of these chronic colitis. Certain factors such as tobacco And as well as genetic factors have been clearly identified. Stress and anxiety are possible aggravating factors. Note that Women are more affected by Crohn’s disease“, Specifies Pauline Jouët. Colitis also seems to touch more strongly Western countrieswhich would argue for a diet rich in animal fats as a favorite factor. “”A Intestinal microbiota imbalance most likely plays a role in these diseases“Concludes the gastroenterologist.
What are the signs of colon inflammation?
Whether the colitis is acute or chronic, it manifests itself by:
- of the diarrheadiurnes or nocturnal,
- of the pain intestinal,
- of the fever,,
- a big fatigue even anemia and weight loss.
“”To this must be added the extra-digestive signs: joint pain In hands, ankles or spine (25% of patients), skin damage such as canker sores or other lesions (15% of patients), Eye disorders like redness or pain (5% of patients), or bile ducts damage“”details Pauline Jouët. Chronic colitis can also result in The presence of blood in the stool (Almost systematic for rectocolitis hemorrhagic, less often for Crohn’s disease).
To diagnose inflammation of the colon, the doctor proceeds to a clinical examination and stool examination. He may also have resorted to colonoscopy of the colon. In any case, it is important to to consult As soon as you have digestive symptoms and intestinal pain.
“”In general, an acute colitis spontaneously gives in less than 24 to 48 hours“, reassures Pauline Jouët. When she persists for several days, we must nevertheless try to identify and treat the infection. The treatment is therefore often summed up the symptoms: against diarrhea, we can use from the diosmectite or racecadotril, And adopt a Diet poor in fiber (favor rice for example and transiently avoid fruits and vegetables). During the thrusts, be careful not to ingest loperamide (iModium). “”To combat inflammatory colon diseases, use of cortisonederivatives of aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA and 5-ASA), or even treatments Immuno-Suppressants“”adds the gastroenterologist.
What foods are to avoid when you have an inflammation of the colon?
To limit the colitis demonstrations, you can try to favor cooked food rather than rawhydrate you properly, and limit stress and anxiety factors. We can Transiently avoid fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products which can promote diarrhea but it is important to resume as soon as possible a balanced diet to avoid deficiencies. “”If there is no proven diet as effective against colitis, it is recommended to adopt a balanced diet, as well as a Regular physical activity“Concludes the gastroenterologist.
Thank you to Doctor Pauline Jouët, gastroenterologist at the Ambroise Paré de Boulogne-Billancourt hospital.
