What is Ileocolitis?
Iloecolitis is one of the types of Crohn’s disease which involves our ileum and large intestine. This is a chronic, inflammatory disorder that involves the colon and has serious digestive problems. The inflammatory disorder was first identified and described in the year 1932, at that time where digestive problems were at peak. Those commonly affected of the digestive condition are the teenagers and the young adults. The condition is also reported to be recurrent and chronic.
Diagnosis
In order for the condition to be diagnosed, these tests are performed:
Ileocolitis Symptoms
This condition is considered as the most common form of Crohn’s disease. As already mentioned, it affects our ileum and our small and large intestine. Eventually, the person affected of this condition shall experience the following symptoms:
- Weight loss, most common manifestation
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain usually found in the lower right part of the abdomen
Complications of Ileocolitis
Complications cannot be avoided with this digestive problem. There are instances where it has been diagnosed late or in its severe state that complications would easily arise. Here are the following common complications of the ileocolitis and other Crohn’s disease:
Bowel obstruction
Because there is alteration of the digestive tract, there shall be high risk for bowel obstruction as the thickness of the colon may be altered. As this happens, the flow of digestive contents shall be affected and may lead to obstruction.
Ulceration
This is also possible because our own body defense may attack the digestive wall. As this happens, ulceration in the colon may happen; even in the anal area is a possible area of ulcer formation.
Malnutrition
This is a known complication as the disease condition involves the digestive tract, which is responsible for the absorption of important nutrients for nutrition. This complication is made possible because of the inability to absorb enough nutrients for the body to become nourished.
Cancer
There is a possibility that a person becomes at risk of developing colon cancer as one acquires ileocolitis or Crohn’s disease.
Ileocolitis Causes
The condition is said to be idiopathic, meaning from an unknown cause. But diet and stress has been frequently pointed out as precipitating factors of the condition. These are believed to be factors that aggravate the condition:
Heredity
When a family member has suffered or has been suffering from Crohn’s disease, they are placed in a greater risk for developing ileocolitis. It is believed that there is a specific gene that triggers the disease condition. According to studies, the gene identified is NOD2 or CARD15. But there are instances where family history does not involve the triggering of the disease process.
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Immune system
There has been some speculation that a viral and bacterial agent may cause the disease condition. As there is some viral infection, tendency of the immune system is to fight off the disease while there shall be a possibility that one’s own immune system attacks the digestive tract, unknowingly.
Age
Those mostly affected of the disease are people who are young, and most probably those who have not reached full capacity of their immune system. According to reports, those ages 30 years and below are more commonly affected.
Smoking
Those heavy smokers are mostly affected of ileocolitis. This bad habit contributes to the disease process and may even lead to a more severe form of the condition.
Environment
The environment plays a big role in the development of the ileocolitis. Living in an industrialized area would place a person at a greater risk of the condition.
Ileocolitis Treatment
The treatment for ileocolitis involves reduction of the inflammation that is currently placing the patient in a hard condition. Here are the medical remedies for ileocolitis:
Anti-inflammatory drugs
This shall reduce the inflammation and reduce the presenting symptoms that one is experiencing. These drugs include sulfasalazine, mesalamine and corticosteroids.
Immunosuppressants
These shall help reduce the inflammatory process that induces the problem. Here are the drugs commonly prescribed; azathioprine, infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab, methotrexate, cyclosporine and natalizumab.
Antibiotics
These can also treat the underlying bacterial agent that may have caused the condition.
Anti-diarrheal agents
To avoid dehydration, this drug is provided to lessen the bowel movements.
