Symptoms of inflammation of the intestine that seem trivial but dangerous

Stomach pain and prolonged diarrhea can be symptoms of many conditions, including colitis, aka colitis. This disease attacks the inner lining of the large intestine and rectum with varying symptoms.

Without proper treatment, colitis can develop into ulcerative colitis. This is a condition when colitis causes injury to the lining of the large intestine. If you have this, the sufferer may experience even more severe symptoms.

So, what are the signs of colitis that you should be aware of?

Inflammatory bowel symptoms and signs

Colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammation of the intestine can have various characteristics, depending on the severity of the disease and where the inflammation occurs.

In general, here are the various signs that can appear.

1. Stomach pain

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of inflammatory bowel disease, according to the Mayo Clinic website. The pain results from inflammation of the large intestine. When inflammation occurs, the problematic tissue can swell and stimulate the surrounding nerve cells.

The location of the pain can vary depending on the source of the initial inflammation. Inflammation in colitis usually starts in the rectum, which is located under the large intestine. Therefore, the pain tends to be concentrated in the lower abdomen.

2. Diarrhea

The symptom of colitis that often follows abdominal pain is diarrhea. Diarrhea occurs when inflammation is caused by infection with germs (bacteria, viruses, or parasites). The body responds to germs as a threat and sends an immune reaction so that inflammation occurs.

Inflammation is actually useful for fighting disease attacks. However, in people with colitis, this actually makes the intestines contract more often. Contraction of the large intestine will draw water into the stool so that the stool becomes thinner.

3. Bloody bowel movements

Colitis sufferers generally not only experience diarrhea, but also bloody stools or even pus. This indicates that there is a wound in the digestive tract caused by inflammation. This condition is known as ulcerative colitis.

When a patient has bloody stools, the stool may appear fresh red, pink, or black in color (melena). The amount of blood produced also varies, depending on the severity of the disease and the location of the bleeding.

4. Pain in the rectum and hemorrhoids

Inflammation of the intestine also often causes pain in the rectum. As with abdominal pain, the pain may come from inflammation of the rectum. The swollen rectal tissue suppresses nerve receptors and sends pain signals to the brain.

People with colitis are also prone to developing hemorrhoids because diarrhea does not go away. When you have diarrhea, you will be pushing very hard, which forces your heart to flow more blood toward the anus.

These blood vessels around the anus can swell, rupture, and cause hemorrhoids. As a result, feces that come out through the anus can carry blood from the leakage of these vessels.

5. Fever

Fever is a sign the body is fighting infection, including colitis. This symptom arises because the brain thinks there is something dangerous in the body and must be turned off. The brain responds by increasing body temperature.

According to a published journal report Case Reports in Medicine in 2016, about 40% of colitis sufferers had fever symptoms. The fever generally lasts a few days and is not very high.

6. Decreased appetite

The various symptoms you experience due to colitis can reduce your appetite. This is normal considering that colitis often causes digestive disorders such as nausea, abdominal pain or cramps, flatulence, and diarrhea.

In addition, some sufferers also experience mouth sores and lethargy due to symptoms that do not improve. As a result, you lose the desire to eat as usual.

7. Weight loss

The combination of fatigue, diarrhea, fever, laziness to eat, and dehydration can make the body deficient in essential nutrients. Your body may lack not only key nutrients such as protein and carbohydrates, but also vitamins and minerals.

In fact, minerals such as magnesium and zinc are needed to restore appetite. Ultimately, any combination of these symptoms can lead to weight loss.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience symptoms of colitis, you should check with your doctor to determine the cause. With consultation, you will also know how badly the disease has progressed.

However, don't delay going to the doctor if you experience:

change in bowel habits,
a high fever above 38.3 degrees Celsius or more than two days,
Chapter bleeding that doesn't get better,
diarrhea that does not improve with colitis, or
diarrhea that makes you wake up at night.

Colitis is an inflammation that can cause injury to the large intestine. This disease is usually not fatal, but the symptoms caused by colitis can be very disturbing. Therefore, you should check with your doctor if you experience the signs.