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Can Colitis Cause Severe Dehydration?

Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2015

Question: Can colitis cause severe dehydration and for how long ?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
diarrhea can continue as long as the colitis is not corrected

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal
I have read your query
I think I can help you
Yes, colitis can indeed cause diarrhea
Its in fact one of the most prominent causes of chronic diarrhea.
The diarrhea can continue as long as the colitis is not corrected.
So that needs to be corrected first
I hope that answers your current query.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.
Best of luck
Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (24 minutes later)

Ok
Well my dad has colon cancer with liver mets . The primary was removed last year .

He had severe bowel
Inflammation 2 weeks ago and was on iv antibiotics in hosp and had fever .

He has a stoma Which is bringing out water . They say inflammation now getting better but he very dehydrated and since all this just not eating hardly . Lost 2 stone .

Plus bilirubin has jumped up ,

What can this be .

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
specific answers

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your response
I think there is a strong possibility that spread to liver is causing the rising bilirubin.
However dehydration itself can cause it too.
I think the inflammation is causing the issues.
As for dehydration, get him on iv fluids and he will feel better.
One always has to hydrate.
If necessary iv fluids need to be started.
I hope that this answers your current query
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (32 minutes later)

He's been on antibiotic and fluids iv 2 weeks but still dehydrated .

Is this bad sign then , is liver getting damaged? Please see report attached .

Plus he's not eating hardly since in hops
What could
Be cause ?

Plus His bilirubin now dropped todys by 9 points .

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
talk to your doctor about pseudomembranous colitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Unfortunately no report is attached here
If he has been on iv antibiotics you may talk to your doctor about pseudomembranous colitis.
In this,antibiotics may themselves cause loosestools.
So the treatment is in fact to start probiotics, and if possible, stop antibiotics.
Also, if bilirubin is dropping, I doubt that the liver is getting damaged further.
So I think you just need to hold on further.
Best of luck
Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saumya Mittal (12 minutes later)

Attaché now. What u think looking at reports now.

Y would the bilirubin drop by 9 points ?

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Must be sepsis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
thanks for your response.
I have read your reports.
I think there is a strong possibility that he has been having a severe infection. I think it is now slowly settling. therefore, the bilirubin levels are coming to normal.
I have tried to make it as simple as possible. I hope that the information helps you. Please feel free to contact us for more information. Best of luck. Dr Mittal

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar