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What is Pseudo Membranous Colitis?
• Pseudo membranous colitis is inflammation of the colon that occurs in some people who have taken antibiotics.
• Pseudo membranous colitis is sometimes called antibiotic-associated colitis or C. difficile colitis.
• The inflammation in pseudo membranous colitis is almost always associated with an overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile.
• Sometimes Pseudo membranous colitis can be life-threatening.
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Causes
• Antibiotics use
• Staying in the hospital or a nursing home
• Increasing age over 65 years
• Weakened immune system
• Colon diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer
• Intestinal surgery
• Chemotherapy
• History of pseudo membranous colitis
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Symptoms
• Diarrhoea - watery/bloody
• Pus or mucus in stool
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Fever
• Nausea/Vomit
• Dehydration
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Complications
• Hypokalemia
• Hypotension
• Recurrence of pseudo membranous colitis, days or even weeks after initial treatment
• Kidney failure, due to severe dehydration
• Perforated Colon
• Toxic mega colon
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Diagnosis
• Stool sample
• Blood tests
• X Ray
• Colonoscopy
• CT Scan
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Treatment
Medical Management:
• Stopping the Antibiotic (whenever possible)
• Oral - Metronidazole, Vancomycin
• Treating recurring signs and symptoms
Surgery : Generally in case of Complication (e.g. Rupture of the colon, inflammation of the lining of the abdominal wall-peritonitis).
Preventing recurrences : Pro biotic treatment