Colitis is what disease.

Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 12, 2024

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Colitis is caused by various reasons, leading to inflammatory lesions in the colon. Depending on the cause, it can be divided into nonspecific inflammatory changes and specific inflammatory lesions. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites, with typical symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Severe anemia and intestinal dysfunction may occur. Due to repeated diarrhea, an imbalance of acid-base equilibrium can happen. Patients generally see a gastroenterologist and require long-term treatment, as well as dietary adjustments.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 46sec

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What should you not eat with colitis?

So what foods should we avoid for patients with colitis? First of all, we should try not to eat milk and seafood, because milk and seafood are types of foreign proteins to the human body, which could potentially become allergens. Because colitis patients are likely to experience colonic allergies after consumption, resulting in worsened diarrhea, so it is advisable to avoid these foods as much as possible. Secondly, we should minimize the consumption of high-fat foods, because patients with colitis have poor digestive functions, particularly weak in digesting fats. Incompletely digested high-fat foods can cause "slippery gut" leading to diarrhea. Over time, the accumulation of fats can also induce complications such as fatty liver, etc. Therefore, foods high in fats such as lard, cream, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc., should be avoided or eaten sparingly. Third, it is important to eat less gas-producing food: because colonic inflammation in colitis, due to chronic and recurrent episodes, causes alternation of ulcers and scar fibrosis in the colonic mucosa, which reduces the elasticity of the colonic inner wall. Consuming more gas-producing foods, such as sweet potatoes and soybeans, may cause acute intestinal dilation due to the filling of gas in the intestines, or even lead to complications such as ulcer perforation. Fourth, eat fewer vegetables containing coarse fiber: the fiber in vegetables can absorb intestinal water and have a laxative effect, which might aggravate diarrhea. Therefore, foods high in coarse fiber like celery, crown daisy, cabbage, spinach, etc., should be consumed in limited quantities.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 15sec

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What medicine is used for colitis?

Colitis may involve choosing some medications that protect the intestinal mucosa and regulate the intestinal flora, along with other symptomatic treatments. If the intestinal inflammation presents as abdominal discomfort or significant illness, one might choose to use antispasmodic pain relief and antidiarrheal medications, which can generally achieve certain control. Ileitis is also relatively common clinically, with patients usually presenting with discomfort in stool or service and, after undergoing a thorough colonoscopy, inflammatory changes in the intestines are found, characterized by mucosal congestion, edema, and even scattered erosion and ulcer formation. Treatment options include oral medications, but in terms of diet, it primarily involves choosing clean, easily digestible foods and supplementing with some nutrients. Colitis generally presents with lower abdominal pain and discomfort in the lower left abdomen, typically occurring in paroxysmal attacks without specificity. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 21sec

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Ulcerative Colitis Symptom Characteristics

Ulcerative colitis is increasingly seen in clinical settings, especially among younger patients in gastroenterology. The symptoms typically include abdominal discomfort and abnormal stool, characterized by pain and distension in the lower left abdomen, and changes in bowel habits. Generally, the frequency of stool increases, often occurring more than a dozen times, at least six times or more. The stool characteristics are also indicative, generally appearing bloody and loose. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis need standardized diagnosis and treatment. The treatment mainly consists of two types: the first is lifestyle and dietary management; the second is medication. For diet, it is recommended that patients eat easily digestible, low-residue, high-quality protein foods to enhance nutritional support. Medicinal options may include drugs that regulate intestinal flora, protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, and others like amino salicylates. However, if complications such as gastrointestinal perforation, obstruction, or bleeding occur, surgical treatment is recommended. (Please consult a doctor for specific medication usage and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

36sec

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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

Gastroenterology

1min 17sec

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Can colitis be cured completely?

Colitis is quite common in clinical settings, especially in the gastroenterology outpatient department. Patients generally present with abdominal discomfort or abnormal stool, where the discomfort typically manifests as intermittent pain or discomfort in the lower left abdomen. Abnormal stool is characterized by an increase in frequency, a loose texture, and even a watery appearance, occurring more than three times a day. Typically, patients have mucus in their stools but no blood, and generally do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as fever or bloody stools. Treatment usually consists of two types: dietary adjustments and therapeutic remedies. It is generally advised for patients to consume easily digestible foods to maintain regular bowel movements and avoid spicy foods. Medication for colitis is symptomatic, potentially including anti-diarrheal agents, adjustments to the intestinal flora, or antispasmodic pain relief. The treatment outcomes for colitis are generally good and can often be completely curative. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)