&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;272&quot; data-end=&quot;347&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;275&quot; data-end=&quot;345&quot;&gt;Pseudomembranous Colitis: When Your Colon Throws a Full-On Protest&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;391&quot; data-end=&quot;432&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;395&quot; data-end=&quot;432&quot;&gt;What Is Pseudomembranous Colitis?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;433&quot; data-end=&quot;596&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Despite the long, intimidating name, pseudomembranous colitis is essentially &lt;strong data-start=&quot;510&quot; data-end=&quot;539&quot;&gt;inflammation of the colon&lt;/strong&gt; caused by toxins &amp;mdash; most often from &lt;strong data-start=&quot;575&quot; data-end=&quot;595&quot;&gt;C. diff bacteria&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;598&quot; data-end=&quot;884&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It usually shows up &lt;strong data-start=&quot;618&quot; data-end=&quot;642&quot;&gt;after antibiotic use&lt;/strong&gt;, when helpful gut bacteria are wiped out and C. diff steps in to cause trouble. The toxins it releases irritate the colon lining, leading to inflammation and the formation of yellow-white patches (called &amp;ldquo;pseudomembranes&amp;rdquo;) on the colon wall.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;886&quot; data-end=&quot;984&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In short:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Antibiotics disrupt your gut &amp;rarr; C. diff takes advantage &amp;rarr; your colon gets very unhappy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;886&quot; data-end=&quot;984&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;991&quot; data-end=&quot;1022&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Does It Feel Like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1059&quot; data-end=&quot;1089&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1059&quot; data-end=&quot;1087&quot;&gt;Common symptoms include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1092&quot; data-end=&quot;1144&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1095&quot; data-end=&quot;1114&quot;&gt;Watery diarrhea&lt;/strong&gt;, sometimes many times a day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1147&quot; data-end=&quot;1180&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1150&quot; data-end=&quot;1178&quot;&gt;Abdominal cramps or pain&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1183&quot; data-end=&quot;1193&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fever&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1196&quot; data-end=&quot;1227&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nausea or loss of appetite&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1229&quot; data-end=&quot;1268&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1229&quot; data-end=&quot;1266&quot;&gt;More severe symptoms can include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1271&quot; data-end=&quot;1301&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Frequent, urgent diarrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1304&quot; data-end=&quot;1345&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Significant belly pain or tenderness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1348&quot; data-end=&quot;1378&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Blood or pus in the stool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1381&quot; data-end=&quot;1410&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dehydration and weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1412&quot; data-end=&quot;1521&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If symptoms feel intense or seem to be getting worse, that&amp;rsquo;s your cue to check in with a healthcare provider.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1412&quot; data-end=&quot;1521&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1528&quot; data-end=&quot;1569&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1532&quot; data-end=&quot;1569&quot;&gt;When Should You Get Medical Help?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1570&quot; data-end=&quot;1617&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reach out sooner rather than later if you have:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1620&quot; data-end=&quot;1667&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Diarrhea lasting more than &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1647&quot; data-end=&quot;1667&quot;&gt;a couple of days&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1670&quot; data-end=&quot;1699&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fever with ongoing diarrhea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1702&quot; data-end=&quot;1725&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe abdominal pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1728&quot; data-end=&quot;1749&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Blood in your stool&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1751&quot; data-end=&quot;1815&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early treatment can prevent complications and speed up recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1751&quot; data-end=&quot;1815&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;1822&quot; data-end=&quot;1872&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1825&quot; data-end=&quot;1872&quot;&gt;Why It Happens &amp;mdash; and Why It Matters&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1874&quot; data-end=&quot;1919&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1878&quot; data-end=&quot;1919&quot;&gt;What Causes Pseudomembranous Colitis?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1920&quot; data-end=&quot;2039&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The most common cause is &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1945&quot; data-end=&quot;1966&quot;&gt;C. diff infection&lt;/strong&gt;, usually triggered after antibiotics disrupt your gut&amp;rsquo;s natural balance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2041&quot; data-end=&quot;2079&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Other, less common causes can include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2082&quot; data-end=&quot;2103&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2106&quot; data-end=&quot;2139&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Reduced blood flow to the colon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2142&quot; data-end=&quot;2186&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rare infections or inflammatory conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2188&quot; data-end=&quot;2238&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But antibiotics + C. diff remain the main culprit.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2188&quot; data-end=&quot;2238&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2245&quot; data-end=&quot;2272&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who&amp;rsquo;s More at Risk?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2273&quot; data-end=&quot;2339&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;You may be more likely to develop pseudomembranous colitis if you:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2342&quot; data-end=&quot;2401&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Recently took &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2356&quot; data-end=&quot;2371&quot;&gt;antibiotics&lt;/strong&gt;, especially for a long time&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2404&quot; data-end=&quot;2449&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have been hospitalized or in long-term care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2452&quot; data-end=&quot;2475&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Are &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2456&quot; data-end=&quot;2473&quot;&gt;older than 65&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2478&quot; data-end=&quot;2513&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2485&quot; data-end=&quot;2511&quot;&gt;weakened immune system&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2516&quot; data-end=&quot;2566&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have a history of bowel disease or GI procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2573&quot; data-end=&quot;2620&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2577&quot; data-end=&quot;2620&quot;&gt;Why This Condition Shouldn&amp;rsquo;t Be Ignored&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2621&quot; data-end=&quot;2672&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;If untreated, pseudomembranous colitis can lead to:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2675&quot; data-end=&quot;2698&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe dehydration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2701&quot; data-end=&quot;2721&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Kidney problems&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2724&quot; data-end=&quot;2765&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Swelling or perforation of the colon&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2768&quot; data-end=&quot;2815&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Life-threatening infection (in rare cases)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2817&quot; data-end=&quot;2875&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The good news? With prompt care, most people recover well.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2817&quot; data-end=&quot;2875&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2882&quot; data-end=&quot;2910&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2886&quot; data-end=&quot;2910&quot;&gt;Can It Be Prevented?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2911&quot; data-end=&quot;2971&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;While it&amp;rsquo;s not always avoidable, you can lower your risk by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2974&quot; data-end=&quot;3020&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Using antibiotics &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2992&quot; data-end=&quot;3018&quot;&gt;only when truly needed&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3023&quot; data-end=&quot;3073&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Washing hands thoroughly with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3053&quot; data-end=&quot;3071&quot;&gt;soap and water&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3076&quot; data-end=&quot;3141&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Following infection-prevention practices in healthcare settings&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3143&quot; data-end=&quot;3174&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your gut will thank you for it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3143&quot; data-end=&quot;3174&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3181&quot; data-end=&quot;3201&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3185&quot; data-end=&quot;3201&quot;&gt;The Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3202&quot; data-end=&quot;3470&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pseudomembranous colitis may sound scary &amp;mdash; and it can be serious &amp;mdash; but it&amp;rsquo;s very treatable when caught early. If your gut feels like it&amp;rsquo;s staging a rebellion, don&amp;rsquo;t ignore it. Getting the right care can help you heal faster and get back to feeling like yourself again.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3477&quot; data-end=&quot;3503&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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