Pseudomembranous colitis is an inflammation of the latter part of the intestine, colon and rectum, often associated with the use of moderate to broad spectrum antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or azithromycin, and the exaggerated growth of Clostridium difficile bacteria, which releases toxins. and the onset of symptoms such as diarrhea, pain and abdominal pain.
Pesudomembran colitis is more common in patients with weakened immune systems, so it can occur in the elderly, children, patients with autoimmune diseases who are receiving chemotherapy, this condition has a cure, indicating the change in antibiotic suspension and the use of probiotics to balance the gut microbiota.
- Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis are related to the proliferation of Clostridium difficile and the production and release of toxins.
- Resulting in the onset of the following symptoms:.
These symptoms appear about 1 to 2 days after starting antibiotic treatment, but in rare cases they may also occur a few weeks after stopping the antibiotic.
For example, if the patient is present, some of these symptoms after using an antibiotic should consult a gastroenterologist or go to the emergency department to diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis of this disease is made by a gastroenterologist using colonoscopy, examining the need for a biopsy of the material obtained from the intestinal wall.
Treatment of pseudomembranous colitis should be guided by a gastroenterologist and is usually done with the suspension of antibiotic use that causes the problem.
However, in cases where colitis does not go away after antibiotic completion, your doctor may recommend the use of another antibiotic, such as metronidazole or vancomycin, which are specific to remove bacteria that develop in your gut.
In more severe cases where no prior treatment can relieve symptoms of pseudomembrane colitis, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment to remove a small part of the affected intestine or attempt a bullet graft to balance the intestinal flower. Learn more about fecal transplantation.