Colitis Treatment: The Options Available
Colitis is an acute or chronic inflammation caused in the lining of the intestine. It causes ulcers in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. These ulcers bleed and usually give out pus and mucus. There are various methods for colitis treatment and they are discusses below. Treatment for Colitis is entirely dependent on how serious the disease is. Since each person is affected by the disease differently, the treatment is also adjusted to individual needs and the severity of the ailment. Most people suffering from the disease are treated with medicines. However, if the case is severe such as immense bleeding, colon rupture etc, you would require surgery for the removal of the diseased colon. It is the only cure for the Colitis and is called proctoclectomy.
The disease can be repetitive and the symptoms sometimes occur after months or years. But it is not known when they will return. With Colitis, the patient requires to make regular visits to the doctor to monitor the status. The health care specialist would examine the possible causes and complications of Colitis. The ultimate goal for the treatment of Colitis is to relieve the patient from the inflammation caused and compensate the losses due to diarrhea and also nutritional losses. If the person is suffering from mild colitis, the first treatment would be drug therapy that includes treatment with ASA agentsthat is a combination of the drugs sulfonamide, salicylate and sulfa pyridine that helps to control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is another most commonly used drug, given along with other drugs and can be used for as long as the need persists. The possible side effects of these drugs are nausea, vomiting, heartburn and diarrhea. Drug therapy also includes drugs like Mezalazine used for colitis and ulcerative colitis; pre-digested liquid or diet for small bowel inflammations. Drugs like Anticholinergics, Loparamide, and Codeine help in reducing the number of bowel movements and relieve you of the feeling of bowel urgency. Cholestyramine is another agent that helps to bind bile salts and aids to manage diarrhea related to colitis. It is mostly used in the case of people who have got a part of their small intestine removed. When the patient is treated with drugs to cure colitis, be it mild or severe, he or she is required to be monitored regularly by the health care specialists. These drugs actually control the flare-ups caused and are given for a short period of time and do not ensure the prevention of recurrence of the attack of colitis. A severe attack of the disease requires admission to a hospital and strong support. The patient is given a restricted diet through vein. The doctor also attempts to stop diarrhea and loss of blood. Thus, colitis treatment has many aspects and an expert guidance is required before choosing the option. |
