What is Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
Clostridium Difficile Colitis is caused due to Clostridium Difficult. Clostridium Difficult also was known as C.difficile is bacteria that can cause swelling and irritation of the large intestine or colon resulting in diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. It most affects old age people who are hospitalized for long-term care or it can also occur after use of antibiotics. Mild to moderate cases can be treated if they stop taking antibiotics; whereas severe cases require treatment with different antibiotics and can also cause death. This bacteria can spread easily from person to person or from contaminated surfaces.
How does one get affected with Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• A bacterial infection called C.difficile
• Weakened immune system
• Have had previous C.difficile infection
• Use of chemotherapy drugs
• Above 60 years of age
• Kidney disease
• Prolong hospitalization
• If on enteral feeding
• Bone marrow transplant
• Undergone abdominal or gastrointestinal surgery
• Long use of antibiotics
What are the signs and symptoms of Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• Watery diarrhea mild to moderate, rarely bloody
• Cramping abdominal pain
• Anorexia
• Malaise
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Lower abdominal tenderness
• Rebound tenderness
• Loss of appetite
• Wight loss
• Nausea/vomiting
What investigations are required in cases of Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• Complete case history
• Physical examination
• Blood test
• Stool test
• Colonoscopy (Colon examination)
• Endoscopy
• Ct scan
What is prognosis of Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
Prognosis of Clostridium Difficile Colitis varies with the severity of the disease mild to moderate cases can be treated effectively whereas severe cases are difficult to treat and death can be the outcome in severe cases.
What are the complications of Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• Dehydration
• Kidney failure
• Bowel perforation
• Toxic megacolon
• Death
What is the differential diagnosis of Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• Crohn disease
• Diverticulitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Malabsorption
• Salmonellosis
• Shigellosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Vibrio infection
How to manage Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
• Drink plenty of fluid
• Good nutrition
• Hand washing
• Don’t come in contact with an infected person
• Thorough cleaning
• Wash soiled clothing with detergent and chlorine bleach
What are commonly indicated Homeopathic medicines for Clostridium Difficile Colitis?
Allium sativum
Lac defloratum
Hydrastis Canadensis
