Have you ever experienced unpleasant digestive problems along with stomach pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding? If so, you might wonder whether you have colitis or infectious gastroenteritis. Both look similar and impact the digestive tract and have different causes, signs & symptoms, and treatments.
What is the Difference between Gastroenteritis and Colitis?
Colitis may be defined as an inflammation of the large intestine whereas gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the GI tract and intestines. Our team of expert doctors treats these conditions at Royal Medical Center and will help you begin this informative journey of the digestive system!
Causes of Infectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis
Digestion disorders can arise from both colitis and infectious gastroenteritis, even though different pathogens cause them. Let's evaluate each of their underlying causes:
The main cause of this illness known as Infectious Gastroenteritis is the invasion of your gastrointestinal tract by infectious organisms where the most frequent offenders are viruses, also by bacteria and invertebrates.
- Viruses: It includes viruses such as rotavirus, adenovirus, and norovirus.
- Bacteria: Common culprits include Salmonella, E. Coli, and Campylobacter.
- Invertebrates: Although less frequent, Giardia lamblia can be problematic.
There could be several ways whereby these infectious agents might spread out:
- Food or water contamination: Eating or drinking food or drinks that contain these chemicals is a common way.
- Interpersonal communication: The virus can spread by sharing cutlery, intimate contact involving an infected individual, or poor hand hygiene.
- Fecal-oral route: Amongst young children who additionally have not yet formed strong cleanliness habits, this is more frequent.
Inflammation of the colon's inner lining is the cause of colitis. Although infection is one of the causes but not the only cause. There are several causes of colitis such as:
Infectious agents: Viruses, bacteria, and parasites cause colitis, just like they can cause gastroenteritis. In contrast to gastroenteritis, colitis may be more common with particular strains.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Prolonged inflammation of the colon is caused by chronic autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Microscopic colitis: Persistent inflammation caused it & is invisible to the naked eye.
- Ischemic colitis: Inflammation caused by decreased blood supply to the colon.
- Antibiotic-associated colitis: Some antibiotics have the potential to upset the balance of bacteria in the gut which leads to an overgrowth of pathogens and inflammation.
There are certain additional factors associated with the causes of colitis such as:
- The risk of inflammatory bowel disease is increased by smoking.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) lead to prolonged usage and may irritate the lining of the colon.
- Stress although not a direct cause, stress can exacerbate some kinds of colitis.
Signs & symptoms of Infectious gastroenteritis & colitis
Even though colitis and gastroenteritis lead to difficulty in the digestive tract, their symptoms might help you figure out which condition is causing your stomach problems. Let's examine the main indicators and manifestations of each:
In the case of Gastroenteritis these are the main symptoms observed: -
- Diarrhea: The most common symptom is diarrhea, which is typified by loose or watery feces.
- Vomiting and nausea: Gastroenteritis can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
- Abdominal pain: Abdominal cramping or discomfort is a regular occurrence.
- Fever: A low-grade fever can occasionally be brought on by gastroenteritis.
- Dehydration: Dry lips, thirst, reduced urine production, and lightheadedness are signs of dehydration that can arise from fluid loss.
- Other symptoms: Headache, pains in the muscles, and weariness are among the other symptoms that some people may have.
In the case of colitis these are the symptoms observed: -
- Diarrhea: Colitis can also result in repeated loose or watery stools, similar to gastroenteritis. The stool may occasionally appear with blood.
- Abdominal pain: Constant soreness or cramping in the abdomen is a regular occurrence.
- Rectal bleeding: One of the main signs of colitis is blood in your stool or blood that appears during bowel movements.
- Urgency to defecate: It is common to experience a severe urge to have a bowel movement immediately.
- Weakness and weariness: Because of nutritional loss and inflammation, chronic colitis can lead to weakness and weariness.
- Fever: Fever can occur in situations of extreme colitis or when there is also an infection.
- Weight loss: Due to decreased appetite and problems with nutrition absorption, long-term colitis can cause weight loss.
Treatment of Infectious gastroenteritis & colitis
In the case of Gastroenteritis, the emphasis is on treating symptoms while supporting recovery because viral or bacterial gastroenteritis is often a transient illness, in most cases disease is treated within a few days if proper care is taken, symptoms persist even after few days of visit the doctor and continue with medication.
- Staying hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential to avoid being dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea. Consume a lot of liquids, such as clear broths, water, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS).
- Rest: To avoid the illness, your body requires time and energy.
- Diet: The BRAT diet begins with simple, easily digested meals like toast, rice, crackers, and bananas & also add additional meals gradually as you get better.
- Medications available over the counter: Use of antidiarrheal drugs, such as loperamide, should only be done under a doctor's supervision and for brief periods to minimize the frequency of diarrhea.
- Steer clear of certain foods: Avoid meals that are heavy in fibre, oily, or spicy since they might aggravate your digestive system even more.
In the case of Colitis, the treatment is done based on the severity of an individual, it is a chronic condition where the main focus is to manage symptoms and doesn’t let the colitis flare up more.
- Antibiotics used: Antibiotics that target certain bacteria will be provided if a bacterial illness is the cause.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: Corticosteroids and aminosalicylates, for example, can help lessen inflammation in colitis brought on by IBD or irritation.
- Immunosuppressants: These drugs are used to prevent inflammation by reducing the overreaction of the immune system in some IBD patients.
- Dietary adjustments: It may be advised to make certain dietary adjustments, such as avoiding items that aggravate symptoms (such as dairy for lactose intolerance). A qualified dietician can assist in developing a customized strategy.
- Probiotics: By restoring good gut flora that have been upset by antibiotics or inflammation, these supplements may be able to lessen symptoms.
- Surgery: To take out the damaged piece of the colon in severe forms of colitis, like ulcerative colitis involving a significant part of the colon, surgery may be required.
- Control your stress: For some people, stress makes symptoms worse. Consider methods of relaxation such as yoga and meditation.
- Retain proper hygiene: Hand washing is crucial in preventing the transmission of infectious organisms, particularly in cases of infectious gastroenteritis.
- Make sure you get enough sleep: So that your body remains healthy from injuries and infections you need to get enough sleep.
FAQ’S
Q. How to differentiate between infectious gastroenteritis and colitis?
Infectious gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and intestines whereas colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine.
Q. When should we consult a doctor?
In the case of colitis whenever you observe rectal bleeding seek immediate medical assistance and in the case of infectious gastroenteritis if the symptoms appear for more than a week visit your nearest doctor.
Q. How to prevent these conditions?
By doing lifestyle modifications controlling stress, managing the sleep cycle, maintaining good gut health, eating safe and healthy food, avoiding eating junk, maintaining healthy hygiene, wash your hands frequently, especially after using the washroom.
Conclusion
Infectious gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and intestines whereas colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine. The main cause of Gastroenteritis is the invasion of your gastrointestinal tract by infectious organisms whereas Inflammation of the colon's inner lining is the cause of colitis. In gastroenteritis main symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea whereas in colitis main symptom is rectal bleeding.
Treatment is available for both conditions in the case of gastroenteritis antidiarrheal drugs, such as loperamide are used whereas in colitis medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs including corticosteroids and amino salicylates and immunosuppressants in serious cases surgery is also required.
