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Collagenous Colitis Symptoms

Collagenous colitis is a condition that is found in the intestines. Patients who suffer from it are prone to cases of chronic diarrhea and may also experience severe discomfort in the abdomen. The condition can be treated in a variety of ways, including medication, and, in very rare cases, it may require surgery.

  1. Incontinence

    • Collagenous colitis affects the digestive system in a few different ways. One of the ways that collagenous colitis attacks the body is to create fecal incontinence. The patient will get unexplained urges to relieve herself at any point in the day. Diarrhea will begin to develop over time, and if left untreated, it can become chronic. These are extremely critical symptoms, as chronic diarrhea can begin to dehydrate the body and cause a whole host of other problems.

    Abdominal Pain

    • Another area that collagenous colitis strikes is the abdominal cavity. The patient will begin to develop abdominal cramps, and these cramps can become severe. The patient will also begin to develop abdominal bloating, which could lead to abdominal distention, or the obvious appearance of bloating in the abdomen.

    Weight Loss

    • The patient may begin to notice a slight weight loss over time as a result of suffering from collagenous colitis. The weight loss is due to a combination of a loss of appetite that comes from the condition and the chronic diarrhea that the patient will sometimes experience. While gradual weight loss is not something to be alarmed about, it offers a logical pattern in the case of collagenous colitis that would make the condition easier to diagnose when put in the context of other symptoms.

    Stool

    • A person suffering from collagenous colitis will sometimes experience chronic diarrhea, or he may experience intermittent diarrhea. In some cases, when a person is experiencing intermittent diarrhea, he may notice blood in their stool when he is able to have a solid bowel movement. If blood is found in the stool, that can be an indication of several conditions, and it should also be a reason to get the patient to a doctor immediately.

    Significance

    • Collagenous colitis is a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to other more serious conditions such as dehydration and internal organ failure. However, it is very treatable, and it is very uncommon for it to result in death. If you are experiencing chronic diarrhea for a period of four or more days in a row, then visit your doctor, who may prescribe medication and make recommendations to changes in your lifestyle.

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