Colitis Treatment: Procedure, Cost, Results and Side Effects

Colitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the colon. There are numerous causes of colitis including infection, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), ischemic colitis, allergic reactions, and microscopic colitis. The colon is a hollow, muscular tube that processes waste products of digestion from the small intestine. Many bacteria reside in the colon; they live in harmony with the body and cause no symptoms. However, some infections can result if a virus, bacteria, or parasite invades the small and/or large intestine.

To help confirm a diagnosis of colitis, your doctor will suggest blood tests to check for anemia, along with other tests such as a stool sample test, colonoscopy, CT scan, and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Treatment for colitis depends mainly on how bad the disease is. It usually includes medicines and changes in diet. A few people have symptoms that are long-lasting and severe, in some cases requiring more medicines or surgery. Additionally, patients may need to treat other problems, such as anemia or infection. Treatment in children and teens may include taking nutritional supplements to restore normal growth and sexual development.

Surgery is the last resort when it comes to treating colitis, because a surgery generally means removing your entire colon and rectum (in a process called proctocolectomy).

Colitis is a disease that has a variety of treatments. In the initial stages, your doctor will prescribe changes in your diet and lifestyle to help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups. Patients have to limit consumption of dairy products, as well as other spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine. Patients suffering from colitis feel better eating five or six small meals a day rather than two or three larger ones. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also very important. Although stress doesn't cause inflammatory bowel disease, it can make your signs and symptoms worse and may trigger flare-ups, which is why managing stress is very important.

The next stage of treatments for colitis include medications, such as herbal and nutrition supplements, probiotics, aloe vera, and even acupuncture. Of these, probiotics have a very high rate of efficiency, as adding more beneficial bacteria (probiotics) that are normally found in the digestive tract often helps combat colitis.

The last treatment for colitis is surgery, which is opted for only if the patient’s symptoms are not alleviated by medications. In this surgery, the patient’s colon and rectum are removed, and the surgeon attaches the lowest part of your small intestine to a hole he makes in your torso to let waste leave your body and empty into an external bag. If the entire colon and rectum are removed, colitis is cured.

Colitis is always associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea, so if you have been suffering from pain in the abdomen and loose stools for a long time, it is advisable to get a checkup at the doctor’s office. If the doctor confirms the onset of colitis, then necessary treatment for the disease will begin.

While abdominal pains and diarrhea accompanied by chills and fever are signs and symptoms of colitis, it does not necessarily mean that the patient has colitis. If the doctor rules out onset of colitis, then there is no need to get colitis treatments done.

Lifestyle changes for treatment of colitis are non-invasive procedures that have no side effects. However, in case medication has been prescribed for the treatment of colitis, then there are certain side effects that come along with it. In case anti inflammatory drugs have been administered to the patients, side effects can include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, rash, fever, and decreased white blood cell count. Immune system suppressor medications have side effects such as decreased kidney function, increased risk of infections, increased cholesterol levels, sleep troubles, headache, high blood pressure, swollen gums, and increased risk of lymphoma.

A newer type of medication called biologics ate often administered to patients suffering from colitis. Biologics are human-made antibodies (grown in a lab) that stop certain proteins in the body from causing inflammation. However, these have side effects too, which include redness, bruising, itching, pain or swelling at the site of injection, headaches, fevers, chills, and hives or other rashes.

After a surgery has been performed to treat colitis, there are certain guidelines that a patient has to follow. The patient has to stay in the hospital for a week after surgery, following which they can slowly resume day-to-day activities. The biggest adjustment after surgery for ulcerative colitis is more frequent bowel movements — about four to eight times per day.

A proctocolectomy involves creating a pouch for the patient to hold stool before they have a bowel movement through their rectum. Inflammation of this pouch, called pouchitis, is the most frequent complication after surgery. Symptoms include cramps, diarrhea, and fever. About 50 percent of people develop pouchitis in the first few years, but antibiotics usually clear it up.

Surgery for treatment of colitis is a process that has a 4 to 6 week recovery period. Immediately after the surgery, the patient has to stay in the hospital for at least a week. After discharge, the patient has to meet regularly with their surgeon, doctor, and possibly an enterostomal therapist.

Colitis can be treated in a number of ways, depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. In case the doctor has to opt for surgery to treat colitis, the expenses range from around Rs 5 lakhs to 20 lakhs.

Once surgery has been done to treat colitis, and the colon and the rectum has been removed, there is no place left for colitis to occur. So a surgery to treat colitis is a permanent procedure.

A proctocolectomy is a surgery that removes the entire colon and rectum, and it is the last option used by doctors when it comes to treating colitis. The alternatives for this surgery include lifestyle changes, such as better stress management, proper diet, and quitting alcohol and caffeine; and treatment via medications.

Colitis treatment diet includes Soil-based organisms (SBOs) that can help manage irritant bacteria and microorganisms such as Candida Albicans. One of the most effective beverages to take is cabbage juice. When it comes to gastrointestinal problems, it's a true wonder-worker.

Sulforaphane, found in cabbage juice, destroys the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. Cabbage shot or adding cabbage to your juices is the perfect colitis treatment at-home therapy.

Summary: Cabbage juice is the best colitis treatment at home. It contains SBOs which help in better prevention against Candida Albicans.

Probiotics can be found in yogurt. These beneficial bacteria aid in the normal operation of your digestive system. According to studies, female ulcerative colitis sufferers do not obtain enough calcium. Calcium deficiency hastens the onset of osteoporosis.

Yogurt has a lot of calcium, which is good for your bones. So in short, yogurt is beneficial to add in case one is looking for foods to eat under a colitis treatment diet.

Summary: Yes, the probiotic present in the yogurt is beneficial for colitis treatment at home.

Honey may provide some benefits in the colitis treatment diet, but more research is needed on this topic. Honey, prednisolone, and even disulfiram can aid in lowering the production of free radicals. By reducing “NO” production, prednisolone may have some potential benefits in the treatment of colitis.

Summary: Scientists are still looking at whether the consumption of honey comes under colitis treatment options. While some elements show promising results others might not even qualify.

Medications will not cure your ulcerative colitis unless you have surgery to remove your colon and rectum. Medicines on the other hand will help you manage your symptoms. Under colitis treatment, inflammation and other symptoms of colitis in your intestine are the key focus, so your doctor may prescribe a variety of medications. colitis treatment medicine might include:

• 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA).
• Corticosteroids.
• Immunosuppressants.
• Biologics.
• Janus kinase inhibitors.

Summary: Medication for colitis treatment will aid in the management of your symptoms, but they are not a cure. Inflammation and other colitis symptoms are the main focus of colitis treatment, therefore your doctor may prescribe a number of drugs to manage the illness.

Summary: Ulcerative colitis is a disorder that causes inflammation and ulcers in the rectum and colon lining. UC can attack anyone at any age, however, it is more common in people between 15 to 30. It tends to run in families. Abdominal pain and diarrhoea with blood or pus are the most common symptoms. Doctors use blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy, and imaging investigations to diagnose UC. A variety of medications can be used to treat it. Some people go into remission for long periods of time, during which they are symptom-free. In extreme cases, doctors may have to remove the colon.