Which department should I go to for colitis?

Written by Wang Li Wei
Gastroenterology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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If it is colitis, the patient has symptoms such as loose stools, increased frequency of defecation, and unformed stools. In such cases, it is first recommended to visit the gastroenterology department. After an interview and physical examination by a doctor, a colonoscopy can be performed based on the patient's condition to clarify the diagnosis. If the patient has symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and anemia in addition to the above, they can visit either the gastroenterology department or the general surgery department. Generally, the examinations for colitis include stool tests and colonoscopy. Therefore, when going to the hospital, if the patient has colitis, the first choice should be the department of gastroenterology.

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Can people with colitis eat lotus root?

Patients with colitis can eat lotus root. For dietary considerations, patients should avoid spicy and irritating foods, and also avoid strong tea, coffee, and spirits. It's also important not to eat unripe vegetables and fruits but instead consume vitamin-rich vegetables regularly and in measured amounts. Since lotus root is not considered a spicy or irritating food, it is suitable for colitis patients to consume. Patients should also avoid overeating, prefer small frequent meals, establish a routine for bowel movements, and avoid foods with too much coarse fiber.

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Symptoms of mild colitis

Chronic colitis is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sometimes mucus in the stool resembling nasal discharge. These symptoms do not vary between mild or moderate to severe cases, as both mild and severe chronic colitis exhibit similar symptoms, making it impossible to distinguish between the severity from the symptoms alone. It is only possible to determine whether chronic colitis is mild or severe during a colonoscopy by observing the degree of mucosal hyperemia, edema, and erosion. Therefore, to differentiate whether chronic colitis is mild or severe, a definitive diagnosis must be made through a colonoscopy examination.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
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What is colitis?

People often ask, what is colitis? Actually, colitis is a rather broad and vague diagnosis. Depending on the location of occurrence, it can be divided into proctitis, colitis, enteritis, etc. Based on the severity of the condition, it can be categorized into acute enteritis and chronic enteritis. Depending on the cause of the disease, it can be divided into non-specific enteritis, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and specific types of enteritis like radiation enteritis, among others.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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Can I drink yogurt with colitis?

Colitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology. The treatment generally involves two steps: first, medication treatment; second, dietary treatment. For patients with colitis, they can consume yogurt unless they have a clear allergy to yogurt or experience abdominal discomfort after consuming it. The main symptoms patients display are abdominal pain and abnormal stools, characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen or loose stools, and sometimes even fever. For these symptoms, we can choose to treat with certain medications. Antispasmodic analgesics can be added for abdominal pain, and medications to stop diarrhea or regulate the intestinal flora can be used for diarrhea. However, if there is a fever, oral anti-inflammatory drugs may be considered as needed. The diet should focus on light, liquid-based, and easy-to-digest foods, avoiding spicy foods. Of course, consuming yogurt is not a problem, so patients with colitis can eat yogurt, but not excessively, especially if they experience abdominal pain. It is suggested to reduce the amount of yogurt consumed. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Is the routine blood test normal for colitis?

Patients with colitis generally have normal routine blood tests, indicating that their white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets are generally normal. Patients with colitis commonly present clinically with abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel movements. Abdominal discomfort typically manifests as discomfort in the lower abdomen and left side, with symptoms such as bloating, colicky pain, and dull pain, often occurring sporadically and generally related to diet and bowel movements. If abdominal pain improves after passing gas or stools, then the bowel movement abnormalities typically manifest as an increased frequency of bowel movements, generally more than 2 times. The stool texture is relatively loose, appearing mushy, and some patients may have watery stools. However, patients generally do not have bloody stools, and there are no clear changes in bowel abnormalities at night after a good sleep, so treatment is currently considered symptomatic.