Mucous colitis is another name for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition of the large intestine which is often triggered by stress. It can be a debilitating condition, affecting a person's lifestyle in a variety of ways.
Mucous colitis symptoms mimic those of other conditions and diseases, and can be challenging to diagnose. Mucous colitis symptoms can include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and fatigue.
Mucous Colitis
Mucous colitis is often confused with inflammatory bowel disease, but the main difference is that mucous colitis is a psychosomatic condition brought on by emotional upset which results in bodily difficulties.
Lifestyle Impact
Although technically not a disease, mucous colitis can be detrimental to physical and emotional health. Anxieties fueled by the symptoms can bring on further stress, and in turn, further symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.
Physically, mucous colitis causes the sufferer a lot of excruciating pain through its symptoms.
Diagnosis
Mucous colitis diagnosis can occur after a battery of tests done by a gastroenterologist. This can include blood tests and more invasive tests, such as a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which explore issues in the large intestine (a colonoscopy goes deeper and requires sedation). Once these tests are performed and if other conditions are ruled out, mucous colitis may be the diagnosis.
Treatment Options
Limiting stress may alleviate some symptoms. Dietary changes can also help. Lactose intolerance may cause diarrhea, and limiting dairy may help. Elimination of cruciferous vegetables, which can cause gas and pain, may be another remedy.
Medications
Antispasmodic and antidiarrheal medications can help to control symptoms and alleviate pain.
Tags: Mucous colitis, colitis diagnosis, colitis symptoms, large intestine, Mucous colitis symptoms