For this "apparent" similarity, at the time of diagnosis, colitis is often confused with the much more common irritable bowel syndrome, giving rise to many diagnostic delays and therapeutic errors.
o diarrhea, often alternating;However, as we have already said, these are perfectly comparable to the so-called irritable bowel syndrome. So, how do you go about recognizing it?
Typically, the irritable bowel is not responsible for pain at night; if it is present, it is advisable to carry out more in-depth diagnostic tests. Such investigations are necessary even if there is a complete change in intestinal functioning, such as the passage from a period of constipation to a phase characterized by numerous liquid discharges. If, moreover, symptoms such as anemia appear, bright red bleeding with the stool, fever or weight loss, the patient should be promptly referred to a gastroenterologist.
To learn more: Colitis and the symptoms of colitis are therefore quite variable and depend on the cause of the colitis given and on the factors that modify its course and severity. In addition to the above, the following can be identified: persistent hemorrhagic diarrhea with present or absent pus in the stool, fecal incontinence, general fatigue, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
More serious symptoms can include: difficulty in breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat and fever.
Other less common or rare non-specific symptoms that may accompany colitis include: arthritis, mouth ulcers, painful, red and swollen skin, and irritation of bloodshot eyes.
Clinical signs seen in colonoscopy may include: colonic mucosal erythema (redness of the inner surface of the colon), ulceration and haemorrhage.
For further information: Colon cancer, nervousness, stress, etc.). The doctor will then perform further tests to rule out the presence of other diseases such as gastric ulcers, food intolerances, stones in the gallbladder or specific diseases of the colon.
Rather widespread is, for example, lactose intolerance. This disorder is caused by the poor efficiency of the body in breaking down, through an enzyme called lactase, the bond between glucose and galactose (the two monosaccharides at the base of the typical sugar in milk). Due to a reduction in the number or functionality of these enzymes, the lactose continues unaltered to the colon, where it is strongly fermented by the local bacterial flora. These fermentation processes cause an "increased production of gas, associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea (symptoms typical of colitis). A simple test, known as a breath test, may or may not confirm the diagnosis of lactose intolerance.
For some individuals, however, there is a real allergy to milk proteins (caseins). In these cases, food intake causes similar symptoms, but generally more intense than those triggered by a bout of colitis.
Before diagnosing the disease, the doctor must also exclude the presence of celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and also consider the hypothesis of a non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
In the most doubtful cases or if the symptoms are particularly intense, an X-ray of the colon or colonoscopy can be used. This "last test" is highly recommended to those over fifty or to those who, despite being younger, have a "family heritage of colon cancer.
To facilitate the doctor's diagnosis, it is important for the patient to report exactly how often the typical pains of colitis arise and their relationship with intestinal functioning.
