Definition of Colitis, pseudomembranous

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

Colitis, pseudomembranous: Severe inflammation of the inner lining of the colon due usually to the clostridium difficile (C.difficile) bacterium, one of the most common causes of infection of the large bowel (colon) in the United States, affecting millions of patients yearly. Patients taking antibiotics are at risk of becoming infected with C. difficile. Antibiotics disrupt the natural bacteria of the bowel, allowing C. difficile bacteria to become established in the colon. Many persons infected with C. difficile bacteria have no symptoms. These people become carriers of the bacteria and can infect others. In some people, a toxin produced by C. difficile causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the colon (colitis), fever, an elevated white blood count, vomiting and dehydration. Rarely, the walls of the colon wear away and holes develop (colon perforation), which can lead to a life-threatening infection of the abdomen.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• sulfasalazine, Azulfidine - Information on the medication sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), a drug used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis.
• Creatinine Blood Test - Learn more about the creatinine blood test, a test that measures kidney function. Abnormal creatinine levels in the blood may indicate kidney disease.
• Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.

Read more Colitis related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Health Tip: Signs That You May Have Ulcerative Colitis
• Gene Mutations Linked to IBD in Children
• Gene Discovery Gives Clues to Crohn's Disease, Colitis
• Drug May Help Colitis Patients Avoid Surgery