The following features are indicative of Pseudomembranous Colitis:
diarrhea
abdominal cramps
fever
pus in stool
nausea
dehydration
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Common Causes of Pseudomembranous Colitis
The following are the most common causes of Pseudomembranous Colitis:
Clostridium difficile bacteria
use of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, cefixime
Risk Factors for Pseudomembranous Colitis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Pseudomembranous Colitis:
use of antibiotics
stay in hospital
have weakened immune system
have colon disease
undergoing intestinal surgery
receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer
age over 65 years
Prevention of Pseudomembranous Colitis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Pseudomembranous Colitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
limit use of antibiotic
terminal room cleaning in hospital
do proper hand wash
Occurrence of Pseudomembranous Colitis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Pseudomembranous Colitis cases seen each year worldwide:
Widely occurring between 500K - 1 Million cases
Common Age Group
Pseudomembranous Colitis most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged > 50 years
Common Gender
Pseudomembranous Colitis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Pseudomembranous Colitis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Pseudomembranous Colitis:
Stool sample test: To detect C. difficile infection of the colon
Colonoscopy: To examine the inside of colon for signs of pseudomembranous colitis
Blood test: To measure the white blood cell count
Abdominal X-ray: To get the images of colon
Complications of Pseudomembranous Colitis if untreated
Yes, Pseudomembranous Colitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Pseudomembranous Colitis is left untreated:
hypokalemia
hypotension
kidney failure
perforated colon
ruptured colon
Procedures for Treatment of Pseudomembranous Colitis
The following procedures are used to treat Pseudomembranous Colitis:
Fecal microbial transplantation: To restore the balance of bacteria in colon
Surgery: To remove all or part of the colon
Self-care for Pseudomembranous Colitis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Pseudomembranous Colitis:
drink plenty of fluids
avoid high fiber foods
stay away from spicy, fatty foods
eat small meals
Time for Treatment of Pseudomembranous Colitis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Pseudomembranous Colitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
In 1 - 4 weeks
Is Pseudomembranous Colitis Infectious?
Yes, Pseudomembranous Colitis is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
spread by bacterial spores found within feces
spread via contact with hands of healthcare workers
