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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Can colitis be detected by an ultrasound?

Colitis cannot be definitively diagnosed with an ultrasound, as ultrasound is primarily used for diagnosing solid organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. For hollow organs, the diagnosis is obscured by gas and food inside the intestines, making ultrasound less effective. For patients suspected of having colitis, the best examination is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can clearly show the extent and severity of the inflammation. CT scans also hold diagnostic value as they can reveal thickening and edema of the colonic wall. CT scans are less painful compared to colonoscopies, which can be somewhat painful.

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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.

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Which part to massage for colitis?

Firstly, one can massage certain areas of the abdomen, such as Zhongwan, Tianshu, and Liangmen, as well as the Guanyuan point in the lower abdomen. The massage should progress from gentle to firm, using the small fish edge for rolling techniques or the large fish edge for pressing techniques, and finally pinpoint massage on certain abdominal acupoints. The second area for massage is the distal extremities, such as the legs where you can massage points like Zusanli, Shangjuxu, Xiajuxu, Sanyinjiao, and Yinlingquan, and in the hands at points like Sanli and Neiguan, to alleviate symptoms of colitis. Of course, if the massage is performed by another person, back acupoints such as Weishu, Dachangshu, and Sanjiaoshu can also be massaged to effectively relieve symptoms of colitis.

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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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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.