Colitis in Washington
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Find a ProviderWhat is colitis?
Colitis is the overall swelling of the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract. Even though ulcerative colitis is occasionally known as colitis, they are two different conditions. Multiple forms of colitis can result in large intestine inflammation and other unique symptoms. Some common forms of colitis include:
- Infectious colitis (food poisoning): Due to the ingestion of viruses and bacteria
- Microscopic colitis: Results in persistent loose diarrhea
- Ischemic (ischaemic) colitis: A consequence of insufficient blood supply
- IBD colitis (ulcerative colitis): Results in irritation and swelling of the intestinal tract
The expert providers at Washington Gastroenterology are equipped to address many forms of colitis and additional gastrointestinal ailments. To receive treatment for colitis in Washington or to discuss available therapy choices, we encourage you to request a consultation at a nearby practice today.
What causes colitis?
There are numerous explanations for why the innermost layer of the large bowel can become swollen. Several of the most frequent causes include:
- Infection (related to parasites in the body)
- Attack of the intestinal wall with collagen or lymphocytes
- Certain drugstore and prescription medicines (common medicines resulting in colitis include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and mycophenolate)
- Allergic reactions
- IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
- Reduction of blood supply to the large bowel (ischemia)
- Crohn’s disease
Regardless of the reason for your colitis, you will be able to talk to a specialist at Washington Gastroenterology who can treat your condition.
What are the signs of colitis?
Possible symptoms of colitis include:
- Bloody stools
- Ulcers on the large bowel
- Out-of-the-ordinary bowel habits (including the persistent need to have a bowel movement)
- Fatigue
- Cramping
- Discomfort in/of the joints or abdomen (colon), which could arise periodically or be constant
- Rapid weight loss
- Loose, watery stool (with or without the presence of blood in bowel movement)
- Mouth sores
- Feeling depressed
- Swelling or redness of the eyes
- Tenderness in the abdomen
- Fever and/or chills (indicators of infection)
If you are having any of the listed problems consistently, we encourage you to reach out to us and receive care from our team of Washington gastrointestinal specialists.
What are some treatments for colitis?
Common interventions used for various forms of colitis could involve:
- Pain-relieving medications
- Popular IBD medications
- Changing your diet
- Hydrating the body (by mouth or with an IV)
- Normalizing vital signs
Depending on the cause of the colitis, treatment options can vary.
- Microscopic colitis: In specific instances, a person's body can heal independently. It could also be treated with anti-diarrheal medication, particular corticosteroid drugs, diet changes, and surgery in rare cases.
- Infections: If bacteria is the cause of infection, then antibiotics can be the best course of treatment. If the problem results from a virus, staying hydrated and allowing time to pass would be the best way to improve the colitis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: When the inflammation source comes from ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, anti-inflammatory drugs might be provided first, and medications that suppress the immune system might be added if necessary. Surgery could be required depending on the stage of the colitis.
- Ischemic colitis: The primary therapy for ischemic colitis is to rehydrate your body using IV therapy and consume a clear liquid diet. If blood flow is not restored to the colon, a surgical procedure may be needed to remove the sections of the large bowel that lost blood circulation.
When should I seek help for colitis?
You should consult a GI specialist if you suffer from diarrhea that continues for more than 14 days, notice blood in your stool, experience dehydration or fever, or have unusual stomach discomfort that worsens over time. If you are searching for a provider to help improve or address colitis, you can visit a board-certified digestive health specialist by contacting your local Washington Gastroenterology.
Get the help you need for colitis
Always at the forefront of current and upcoming therapies for colitis and numerous other GI conditions, the Washington Gastroenterology providers offer comprehensive care that allows individuals to obtain a better quality of life. To receive specialized colitis treatment in Washington, we welcome you to request a consultation with one of our nearby gastroenterology offices in your community.
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Great place! Awesome staff!
First virtual visit so far. Very thorough & expressed a desire to help me with my current needs. Looking forwards to having him as my GI doctor.
I have known Dr. Wholman since 1987 when I was just 17 years old. That’s when my Ulcerative Colitis first appeared. He has always been attentive to my concern over the 35 years he has been treating me & I will go to no one else until he finally retires, which I hope is a long time from now!!!
Everything went great with very professional staff that were timely and always informative.
I am deeply thankful for Dr. Sang Kim and the team at the Bellevue location. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2019 and had three colonoscopies with Dr. Kim. I heard of cases where patients experienced side effects after a colonoscopy, but I did not experience any side effects and the tests were always accurate. Furthermore, during the follow-ups, Dr. Kim always had thorough explanations about the prescribed medications and carefully reviewed the progress of my GI health over the years.
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