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Antibiotics can also cause villi, the little finger-like projections in the intestines that move things along, to lie flat, which can lead to problems with nutrient absorption, Wright adds.
Clostridioides difficile, also known more commonly as C. diff, accounts for 10 to 20% of antibiotic-associated diarrhea cases, because the antibiotics administered for the treatment of certain disease processes such as inflammatory colitis also inadvertently kill a large portion of the gut flora, the normal flora that is usually present within the bowel.
Blood in stool looks different depending on how early it enters the digestive tract—and thus how much digestive action it has been exposed to—and how much there is. The term can refer either to melena, with a black appearance, typically originating from upper gastrointestinal bleeding; or to hematochezia, with a red color, typically originating from lower gastrointestinal bleeding. [6]
Gastrointestinal bleeding can range from small non-visible amounts, which are only detected by laboratory testing, to massive bleeding where bright red blood is passed and shock develops. Rapid bleeding may cause syncope. [18] The presence of bright red blood in stool, known as hematochezia, typically indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
A new study in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suggests that common antibiotics may increase the risk of developing a form of IBD by damaging the protective mucus layer of the gut.
Rectal bleeding refers to bleeding in the rectum, thus a form of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. There are many causes of rectal hemorrhage, including inflamed hemorrhoids (which are dilated vessels in the perianal fat pads), rectal varices , proctitis (of various causes), stercoral ulcers , and infections .
Colon cancers can cause bleeding and a loss of red blood cells, which causes anemia. Anemia is usually picked up during routine blood work. The best way to get ahead of a colon cancer diagnosis is ...
High frequency of bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, fatigue, and fever are also common during disease flares. Chronic bleeding from the GI tract, chronic inflammation, and iron deficiency often leads to anemia, which can affect quality of life. [15] The clinical presentation of ulcerative colitis depends on the extent of the disease process ...