Treatment of pseudomembranous colitis

Usually, the cause of pseudomembranous colitis starts with bacteria - clostridia, but it happens that other microorganisms become its pathogens.

In addition to this factor, factors such as age( preferably elderly), weakened immunity, intestinal diseases, intestinal surgery, chemotherapy may also influence the development of this disease. Usually, elderly people who take antibacterial drugs are most affected by this colitis.

Symptoms.

Signal to the fact that it's time to treat pseudomembranous colitis become pronounced symptoms of this disease. Usually they appear already during the reception of antibiotics, but sometimes such manifestations are possible after 1-2 weeks after the end of the course.

The first sign of this disease is diarrhea. Usually the patient may notice a frequent watery stool, sometimes with blood. This condition can also be accompanied by spasms and pains in the abdomen, fever, nausea, frequent urges and as a result of dehydration.

If these symptoms occur, you should immediately see a doctor and take the appropriate course of treatment, otherwise very serious consequences are possible.

Treatment.

Treatment of pseudomembranous colitis begins with the complete cessation of the intake of any antibacterial agents as the root cause of the disease. Sometimes this measure helps to stop diarrhea, or to start a patient's self-recovery. In cases where the disease has reached more complex forms, the doctor prescribes necessary medications, sometimes even antibiotics, only different from those that the patient took. Usually after the beginning of timely treatment, after a few days, there is a marked improvement in the patient's condition, and full recovery is achieved after 2 weeks.

Drugs prescribed by a doctor may be taken orally or with the help of injections - intravenous or intramuscular.

After the termination of the course of treatment, the possibility of repeated occurrence of symptoms, several weeks, or months after treatment, is not ruled out. In such situations it is necessary to undergo an additional examination and sometimes again to repeat the course. In order that the recurrent disease with pseudomembranous colitis does not recur, the doctor can prescribe to the patient, for the prevention, the use of the preparation containing the culture of microorganisms Saccharomyces boulardii( Enterol), as well as other drugs that are directed at restoring normal bacterial balance in the large intestine.

If in the course of the disease the water-salt balance in the body was violated, due to the constant diarrhea in the patient, as well as parallel with the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis, restoration of the normal water-salt balance in the patient's body is also carried out. This is done by intravenous injection of special solutions.

In cases when the disease was started and the medication fails to produce the required results, the doctor can prescribe the treatment with surgical intervention when observing the deterioration of the patient's condition. But, as practice shows, the need to treat pseudomembranous colitis with the help of surgery occurs in less than 1% of cases, and usually this happens when complications of the disease occur.

The essence of the operation that can be performed is in resection( removal) of the affected part of the colon.

Prevention of pseudomembranous colitis.

There are ways in which it is possible to prevent this disease and prevent its occurrence. The essence of such preventive measures is the appointment of antibiotic therapy only in those cases when it is really necessary, and at the same time strictly adhere to the norms for taking such drugs. If the course of taking antibiotics is still necessary, to prevent the disease the doctor can prescribe to the patient and other drugs, the action of which will be directed to support the normal bacterial balance in the intestine. Usually such drugs become a product containing beneficial microorganisms.

If a diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis is diagnosed?

If you notice the symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis, or you are diagnosed with this, you should know that the first thing to do is adhere to all the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor, until the time of full recovery. Even after the course of treatment, if the doctor prescribes additional prophylactic drugs - these prescriptions can not be ignored. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about his actions during the treatment and examination. You can not engage in self-medication, because wrong actions can aggravate the situation, and lead to more complications. At the same time, you can always contribute to speeding up the recovery process by performing simple actions:

- frequent use of fluid;

- frequent meals, in small portions, taking in food quality products;

- the use of products that help reduce diarrhea( rice, potatoes, toast);

- exclusion from the diet of fried, fatty and spicy food;

- exclusion of alcohol, coffee, citrus juices, carbonated drinks.

Remember that only timely treatment and compliance with all the doctor's recommendations can guarantee you a good outcome and a full recovery. Your health is only in your hands.