Eshealthtips.com – Colon infection symptoms can be caused by viral, bacterial or parasitic infections. They can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea with blood in the stool, bloating and fever. Symptoms of infectious colitis can last for just a day or for weeks. It’s important to get treatment right away if you’ve been exposed to an infection.
Abdominal Pain is Often a Sign of Infection
Abdominal pain is often a sign of infection, especially if it is sudden and severe. A doctor may need to take a blood sample or do an abdominal ultrasound. The colon is about 5 feet long, and it winds through your abdomen before coming to the rectum (the lower portion of your large intestine). In a normal colon, strong contractions move digested food and waste to your rectum.
But in diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, inflammation causes the lining of your colon to break down. As the lining dies, small open sores (ulcers) form on your colon’s surface. This type of inflammation also causes diarrhea. Diarrhea can be watery and cause your body to lose lots of fluids. It can be self-limiting, but if diarrhea persists for more than two to three weeks or is associated with blood in the stool, it’s time for medical care.
Diarrhea is a common Colon Infection symptom, which may be caused by many different bacteria. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Often the diarrhea is more frequent and watery than usual. This is because the lining of the intestines can become damaged, causing sores (ulcerations) to form that leak fluid.
Bacteria can Cause Intestinal Infections
Bacteria can cause a bowel infection by invading the lining of your small intestine or colon, and releasing toxins that damage cells. They also make the lining of your intestines loose, so that water, proteins and electrolytes can leak out. Some bacterial infections can also affect the lining of your rectum and upper part of your small intestine, which is called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These bacteria damage cells in your lining and cause sores (ulcerations) that bleed.
The bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which is found in people who have been taking antibiotics for an extended period of time, can lead to life-threatening infection. It is the most common bacterial cause of diarrhea after antibiotic treatment. It can also cause a rare condition called toxic megacolon. Blood in the stool, also known as rectal bleeding, is a symptom of many different diseases and conditions. It can range from harmless, annoying gastrointestinal problems such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures to serious disorders like cancer. In some cases, blood in the stool can appear bright red or maroon in color. However, the color of blood can depend on where it’s coming from in your GI tract. Generally, bright red blood indicates that the bleeding is coming from your anus or lower rectum. But dark red, tarry blood in your stool could mean that the blood is higher up in your GI tract.
If you see blood in your stools, call your doctor to get an evaluation. This can help identify the cause of your bleed and get it treated right away. The colon is a large part of your digestive tract that absorbs nutrients from food. When the colon becomes inflamed, it can prevent your body from absorbing enough nutrients and fluids.
Testing Inflammation In The Colon With Sigmoidoscopy
A doctor may test for inflammation in your colon with a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. During this test, a tube with a metallic fluid (barium) is inserted into your rectum as an enema to look at the lining of your colon. In addition, your doctor may recommend a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth test (SIBO). SIBO happens when there’s an overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine.
This condition is sometimes a complication of stomach (abdominal) surgery or other diseases. It can cause diarrhea and weight loss, but antibiotics usually cure it. Other symptoms of SIBO include pain and nausea. It’s important to get treatment right away because it can progress quickly to a dangerous condition called toxic megacolon. If left untreated, this condition can cause bacteria to spill into your abdominal cavity or bloodstream and lead to a deadly infection known as peritonitis.
Reference :
Painter, N. S. “Diverticular disease of the colon.” British Medical Journal 3.5616 (1968): 475.