The intestine, divided into the small and large intestine, plays an essential role in the digestive system with its functions of mixing food, transporting food, splitting and absorbing food components and regulating the fluid balance. In particular, the large intestine takes over the task of thickening (by dehydration) and storage of the intestinal contents as … Colitis
Diagnosis Due to the usually harmless, short and self-limiting course of acute colitis, a diagnosis beyond the medical history and physical examination is usually not necessary. If the symptoms are very severe, a stool and blood test for pathogens can be performed. The method of choice for the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is endoscopy of … Diagnosis | Colitis
Therapy The treatment of mild, self-limiting, acute inflammation of the large intestine consists merely of a sufficient supply of fluids and electrolytes (salty liquids, fruit, carbohydrates, drinking water) and, if necessary, the administration of medication against diarrhoea (antidiarrhoeal agent: loperamide). In severe cases with signs of dehydration, a hospital stay with administration of liquid (glucose-salt … Therapy | Colitis
Prognosis Acute inflammation of the colon usually progresses quickly and without complications. Patients with Crohn’s disease have a high recurrence rate (frequently recurring symptoms after symptom-free phases) and a 70% probability of needing surgery within 15 years due to complications.A definitive cure through surgery is not possible in Crohn’s disease. However, the situation is different … Prognosis | Colitis
