How is pseudomembranous colitis treated?

Many people may have heard of enteritis, but fewer people know about pseudomembranous enterocolitis. Pseudomembranous colitis is also a type of enteritis. However, compared with general enteritis, pseudomembranous enteritis is more serious. Patients with pseudomembranous colitis may experience bloody stools, dizziness, and even death in severe cases. Therefore, if pseudomembranous colitis occurs, it must be treated promptly. Next, I will introduce to you some treatments for pseudomembranous colitis.

First: Immediately stop using the original antibiotics

Antibiotics should also be stopped promptly for suspected patients. For those who must treat the primary disease, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic with strong targeting can be used. Avoid the use of antispasmodics and antidiarrheal drugs to prevent toxins from being retained in the intestines. For critically ill patients, supportive therapy should be strengthened to correct water and electrolyte imbalances, replenish blood volume, and supplement plasma and albumin to enhance the patient's resistance, enable the patient to survive the critical period, and buy time for etiological treatment.

Second: Treatment of the cause

Drugs that are effective against the cause of the disease, such as metronidazole and vancomycin, should be selected. To restore normal flora, you can take oral medications containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, etc., or you can use enema to restore the patient's normal intestinal flora. For severe cases with repeated episodes that do not respond well to drug treatment, surgical treatment may be considered if necessary.

Third: Pay attention to the use of antibiotics

Avoid the abuse of antibiotics and reduce the incidence of pseudomembranous colitis. In particular, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics must have a clear purpose and the drug should be stopped promptly after achieving the expected therapeutic effect. For elderly and frail surgical patients, especially those undergoing major abdominal and pelvic surgery, and cancer patients with weakened immune function, the use of antibiotics that are likely to induce Clostridium difficile should be avoided as much as possible. Patients who must use antibiotics should be more vigilant, detect the disease early, and receive timely treatment to reduce the occurrence of severe pseudomembranous colitis.

Fourth, matters needing attention

In fact, membranous enterocolitis is not difficult to treat. As long as patients can detect the disease early and go to the hospital for treatment, most patients can recover. Many symptoms can disappear. During treatment, patients must pay attention to rest, eat light food, and avoid eating too greasy or hard food.