Question 1

how often do chron's children develop toxic megacolon?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain: The percentage of inflammatory bowel patients (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) who get toxic megacolon is not known. Around 1990, some estimated the number to be 1% to 5% of patients overall.

Question 2

what is the definition or description of: toxic megacolon?

Accepted Answer

Non function colon: Toxic megacolon can be the end result of many conditions.  Most common would be a severe acute attack of ulcerative colites or c. Diff colites causing a severe infection and ischemia (lack of adequate microvascular blood flow) which leads to a massively dilated and a non functioning colon...This is a serious condition which many times needs emergent surgery.  Hope this helps.

Question 3

if you think your child has toxic megacolon, what should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Call Dr. or go to ER: Toxic megacolon is a serious problem. Parents need to contact the primary care doctor or gastro-intestinal specialist. Hospitalization and treatment is needed. The large intestine, already stressed by inflammatory bowel disease or infection, one day stops moving and dilates full of air. The infection can spread throughout the large intestine, into the blood, and cause sepsis, shock, and death.

Question 4

what is the parasite that causes toxic megacolon?

Accepted Answer

Toxic megacolon: This is a clinical syndrome that may be caused by many different inflammatory conditions.  These days the most common infection may be clostridium difficile colitis. Ulcerative colitis and chrohn's disease may also be involved frequently. Parasitic infection would be a rare cause.

Question 5

what organisms cause toxic megacolon?

Accepted Answer

C. difficile, etc...: The micro-organism (bacteria) that can be involved in toxic megacolon is more often clostridium difficile. Occasionally, bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, and the "bad" e. Coli can be involved (these are four bacteria that usually cause infectious diarrhea and food poisoning). The parasite amoeba is involved sometimes. In aids patients, cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be a cause.

Question 6

are there any natural remedies for toxic megacolon?

Accepted Answer

Yes: I am sure there are natural remedies for this condition. Like anything else you need an evaluation by an experienced practitioner. A homeopath or traditional chinese medicine practitioner can help. Look for one in your area.

Question 7

will toxic megacolon kill me if i don't get treatment?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: It has to resolve otherwise surgery is critical before the colon ruptures and you go into shock.

Question 8

could you have toxic megacolon but still pass stools and gas everyday?

Accepted Answer

No: People with toxic megacolon are hospitalized, very sick, at risk of death, and not walking around passing stools and gas daily.

Question 9

does ulcerative colitis lead to toxic megacolon in children?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Toxic megacolon is a potentially fatal complication of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Question 10

can i take hydrocodone for pain from colitis that's caused by cdiff, or is this dangerous because of the toxic megacolon risk?

Accepted Answer

Not recommend: I would not recommend this, for reasons you mentioned. It has constipating effect, and in essence, you want to get the stool out...
I would try advil instead if you can tolerate it and have no kidney or heart issues as a contraindication.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Develop toxic megacolon

A member asked:

How often do chron's children develop toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

If you think your child has toxic megacolon, what should you do first?

A member asked:

What is the parasite that causes toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

What organisms cause toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

Are there any natural remedies for toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

Will toxic megacolon kill me if i don't get treatment?

A member asked:

Could you have toxic megacolon but still pass stools and gas everyday?

A member asked:

Does ulcerative colitis lead to toxic megacolon in children?

A member asked:

Can i take hydrocodone for pain from colitis that's caused by cdiff, or is this dangerous because of the toxic megacolon risk?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?