Therapy for blood in stool with diarrhoea | Blood in stool with diarrhoea

Therapy for blood in stool with diarrhoea

Regardless of the cause of diarrhoea, it is important to ensure sufficient fluid – especially in small children and the elderly – because a lot of fluid is lost through bowel movements. In addition, many electrolytes (salts) are also lost through this. Further therapy depends on the cause.

In the case of antibiotic-induced diarrhoea, a specific antibiotic is used to combat the bacterium Clostridium difficile. This is usually metronidazole. In severe cases vancomycin is administered.

After successful therapy, the intestinal flora can be built up with the help of nutrition or prebiotics. Prebiotics are substances that remain in the intestine for a long time and are supposed to stimulate the development of health-promoting bacteria. In cases where Clostridium difficile diarrhoea repeatedly occurs which does not respond to therapy, a stool transplantation can also be considered for therapy.

Various anti-inflammatory drugs are used in ulcerative colitis. In mild cases aminosalicylates are administered, in more severe cases additionally cortisone. After successful treatment of the diarrhoea, aminosalicylates are administered prophylactically. In the few cases where intestinal cancer causes the symptoms, the tumour is surgically removed. Depending on the stage, the therapy must be supplemented by chemotherapy and radiation.

Diagnosis of blood in stool

First, a detailed discussion with the doctor about the existing complaints takes place. Further complaints can be decisive for the diagnosis and determine the further diagnostic investigations. The conversation with the doctor is followed by a short physical examination.

In some cases, a colonoscopy is then performed for further clarification. This is important for the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases or cancer. If necessary, a small tissue sample is also taken during the colonoscopy, which is then examined. If antibiotic-induced diarrhoea is suspected, a colonoscopy should not be performed, but a pathogen detection should be performed.

Duration and forecast

The prognosis is usually quite good. Hemorrhoids are not dangerous. Antibiotic-induced diarrhoea also usually has a good prognosis.

Only in rare cases, the diarrhoea cannot be treated with the antibiotic and the fight against the bacterium Clostridium difficile can then take a long time. Ulcerative colitis is an incurable disease. How well the disease can be contained by the medication varies greatly.

In severe cases, ulcerative colitis cannot be treated with medication and those affected suffer from severe and frequent diarrhoea. In such cases, the colon can be surgically removed for therapy. This will drastically reduce the number of diarrhoea cases.

If colorectal cancer is detected at an early stage, the probability of survival is about 90%. In advanced stages, however, the chances of recovery decrease drastically.