X Serious Colon Inflammation: PMC is a severe inflammation of the large intestine (colon) characterized by the formation of yellowish plaques (“pseudomembranes”) on the colon lining.
Most Common Cause: Usually caused by a toxin-producing bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), often due to a disruption in normal gut bacteria.
Causes
- Antibiotic Use: The biggest risk factor. Antibiotics can kill off beneficial gut bacteria, allowing C. difficile to overgrow and produce toxins that damage the colon.
- Hospitalization and Healthcare Settings: C. difficile spreads easily in these environments, increasing the risk for patients.
- Weakened Immune System: People with compromised immune systems are more susceptible.
- Older Age: The risk increases with age.
- Other Medical Conditions: Inflammatory bowel disease, colon surgery, or chemotherapy can make you more vulnerable.
Symptoms
- Diarrhea: Watery, often foul-smelling, and may occur 10 or more times daily.
- Abdominal Cramps and Pain: Can be severe.
- Fever
- Nausea
- Dehydration
- Blood or Pus in Stool
- Loss of Appetite
Complications
- Dehydration: Severe diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances.
- Toxic Megacolon: A rare but life-threatening complication where the colon becomes extremely dilated and could rupture.
- Sepsis: Potentially life-threatening infection when the body’s response to the C. difficile infection is overwhelming.
Diagnosis
- Stool Test: Checking for C. difficile toxins.
- Colonoscopy or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Allows doctors to directly visualize the colon and look for the characteristic pseudomembranes.
- Imaging: CT scans can help assess the severity in some cases.
Treatment
- Antibiotics: Ironically, antibiotics are needed to target C. difficile. This typically includes metronidazole, vancomycin, or fidaxomicin.
- Addressing Dehydration: Fluids and electrolyte replacement are vital.
- Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT): In severe or recurrent cases, stool from a healthy donor is introduced to restore healthy gut bacteria.
- Surgery: Rarely needed, but may be necessary for life-threatening complications like toxic megacolon or colon perforation.
Prevention
- Judicious Antibiotic Use: Use antibiotics only when truly necessary and following doctor’s instructions.
- Infection Control: Rigorous hand-washing and cleaning practices in hospitals to prevent C. difficile spread.
- Probiotics: May be helpful in some instances in rebalancing gut bacteria, but discuss this with your doctor.