Question 1

what is the definition or description of: megacolon?

Accepted Answer

Megacolon: Dilation and hypertrophy of the large intestine, due to a variety of conditions.

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 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 5

can megacolon be rule out definitely by abdominal x-ray

Accepted Answer

If there is: enough gas or stool in the colon to assess whether or not the colon is dilated or abnormal looking, yes.  This is not always the case.  Also, "definitely" is difficult to achieve with any test.  There are always false positive and false negative rates.

Question 6

what's the best food to eat during an enlarged colon (megacolon) treatment?

Accepted Answer

Clear liquids: Clear liquids as long as possible.  You need to discuss this with your physician.

Question 7

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.

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

what are my treatment options for idiopathic megacolon? i have severe constipation and currently on miralax (polyethylene glycol). is surgery recommended

Accepted Answer

Controlling : Constipation is the best medical. However failure to control constipation may be surgery. Your colorectal surgeon will be in the best position to inform you of your options

Question 10

is drugs bad?

Accepted Answer

Depends!: Medications are neither inherently good nor bad. It's the (intent of) use that can make something "bad". Improper use, improper dose, improper frequency, improper route of administration can all make any "good" drug bad. Hctz (hydrochlorothiazide) used to lower blood pressure is a "bad" drug to lower cholesterol or cure strep throat b/c it does neither. Yet, it's a great drug for hypertension. Talk to your familydoc.

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Doctor answers about:

Medicine for megacolon

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: 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 organisms cause toxic megacolon?

A member asked:

Can megacolon be rule out definitely by abdominal x-ray

A member asked:

What's the best food to eat during an enlarged colon (megacolon) treatment?

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?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

What are my treatment options for idiopathic megacolon? i have severe constipation and currently on miralax (polyethylene glycol). is surgery recommended

A member asked:

Is drugs bad?

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