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Colitis - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment is directed at the cause of disease (infection, inflammation, lack of blood flow, or another cause).

See the conditions listed above for specific recommendations.

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis varies with each disease. See particular conditions listed above.

Complications:

Bleeding
Hole in the colon
Toxic megacolon
Sore (ulceration)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain
Blood in the stool
Expanded (distended) abdomen

Ulcerative colitis

Large intestine

Reviewed last on: 2/20/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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