Difficile Colitis

What is C. Difficile Colitis?

According to experts, C. difficile colitis is an infection that is caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. C. difficile colitis can vary in severity; in some cases, it causes a bout of diarrhea, but sometimes, it can lead to a serious colon infection, which can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of C. Difficile Colitis

C. difficile colitis can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Typically, symptoms begin five to 10 days after a person starts using an antibiotic medication, but they can appear as soon as a day after, or as long as two months after beginning an antibiotic.

In mild to moderate cases, C. difficile colitis symptoms include the following:

Mild abdominal cramps
Tenderness in the abdomen
Watery diarrhea at least three times per day for two or more days

In severe cases, symptoms of C. difficile colitis include:

Severe pain and cramping in the abdomen
Elevated heart rate
Watery diarrhea occurring as many as 10-15 times daily
Blood or pus in the stool
Lack of appetite
Fever
Nausea
Dehydration
Weight loss
Swelling in the abdomen
Elevated white blood cell count
C. difficile colitis can even cause life-threatening complications, such as kidney failure, enlarged colon, severe intestinal inflammation, and sepsis.

Causes of C. Difficile Colitis

There are several potential causes of C. difficile colitis, but one common cause of this condition is antibiotic use. When a person uses antibiotics, these medications kill some of the healthy bacteria found in the body, which can cause C. difficile to grow quickly.

Other risk factors for C. difficile colitis include:

Staying in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital or nursing home
Having abdominal surgery
Having a weakened immune system
Having serious medical conditions like colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
Being age 65 or older
Having had C. difficile colitis in the past
How is C. Difficile Colitis Treated?

If you think you may have C. difficile colitis, it is important to seek treatment, because this condition can cause complications such as kidney failure, bowel perforation, and even death if left untreated.

The first part of treatment for C. difficile colitis is to stop taking the antibiotic that triggered the infection. While it may seem counterintuitive, treatment for C. difficile colitis usually involves taking another antibiotic.

In severe cases of C. difficile colitis, surgery may be necessary to remove the unhealthy portion of the colon. If C. difficile colitis is recurring, a doctor may perform a procedure called fecal microbiota transplant, in which stool from a healthy donor is implanted in an infected colon.

Treatment is important to prevent complications from C. difficile colitis, so you should seek medical care promptly if you have had watery diarrhea three or more times per day for two days or symptoms like bloody stool or severe abdominal cramping.

Applicable Procedures

Colonoscopy

Can you die from C. difficile colitis?

In some cases, C. difficile colitis is mild and causes a quick bout of diarrhea. Other times, it is severe and can cause life-threatening complications like kidney failure, enlarged colon, or sepsis.

Is treatment necessary for C. difficile colitis?

Since C. difficile colitis can lead to life threatening complications in some cases, it is important to seek treatment if you think you have symptoms of this condition. If you have had watery diarrhea for two days, you should seek medical care as soon as possible.

How is C. difficile colitis treated?

The first line of treatment for C. difficile colitis is typically an antibiotic. If symptoms are serious, you may need surgery to remove part of the colon, or a fecal microbiota transplant, in which you receive stool from a healthy donor to be implanted into your colon.

Common Symptoms

“I had watery diarrhea multiple times per day for days on end.”
“About a week after taking an antibiotic for an ear infection, I noticed that my stomach was tender, and I started to have diarrhea repeatedly throughout the day.”
“After I went through a course of antibiotics, I suddenly developed severe cramps and stomach pain, and I was having diarrhea hourly throughout the day.”

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What They Are Saying

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Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

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Rosalee O.

Dr. Nandi and his team are the best. They make you feel so comfortable. Really....I won't at my pictures, LOL!!!!

leslie C.

All of Troy Gastroenterolgy is great. Dr Abadir is my Dr and he is very good. I had issues and he worked with me and my primary to improve my condition. He listens to every word i say intently and then he comes up with questions for me and then he starts his plan to help me. And he did! Great doctor. Leslie Croo

Donna H.

It was a 5 . Very caring, professional, and my Doctor is wonderful.

Patrick W.

Very professional and thorough!

Jonathan B.

The staff is very friendly and very caring and accommodating. They answer questions In great detail. Dr. Donat was friendly and upbeat and took the time to speak with me and my Family about my procedure. I felt I was in great hands with him and his amazing staff. Thank you to Dr Donat and his staff putting me to ease.

T A.

Dr Tocco and his staff are wonderful. My husband and I are both patients. We highly recommend Center for Digestive Health

Carol H.

Very organized and excellent workers!

Ariana G.

I was very pleased with my first visit in the Clinton Twp office, Dr. Wille and his staff were so kind, knowledgeable and friendly during my visit.

Steve N.

My colonoscopy was quick and painless. The staff at the center was friendly and very professional.

Michael M.

Dr. Bologna is very thorough, down to earth, and pleasant. I trust his judgment...isn't that what it's all about? Highly recommended.

Glenn A.

Excellent care. Very professional and personable. Highly recommend this practice

REGINA B.

Dr. Bologna and the staff at CDH were wonderful. I felt safe in having my screening there. It is a clean, well-run office, where all of my concerns were addressed in a way I could understand. Every person on staff from check in to anesthesia to checkout were friendly and professional. Thank you 💖

Maureen R.

Excellent experience, everyone pleasant to deal with and prompt with procedures.

David O.

Minimal wait time both in lobby and exam room. Dr. Wille and staff are great!

Hans H.

I was very happy with my appointment yesterday. Took time to listen to all my concerns and answered so I understood. I highly recommend Center for Digestive Health . I have had a few colonoscopies done here and I wouldn’t go anywhere else to have them done. In and out in very little time!

Giacomo C.

Dr. Rocco and the staff are always thorough and professional.

Patricia A.

The staff is very attentive to my needs. Nicolette is very patient and listens to my concerns and provides helpful advice.

Jamie C.

Dr. Willie and the staff were great and friendly

Sara H.

I felt heard, which was verified in the chart notes posted in my medical app .

Denise H.

Center for Digestive Health is a perfect place to go if you have any type of digestive issue. They make you feel very comfortable talking about any issue you may be experiencing and they ask all the appropriate questions all the while putting you at ease. When I called I was worried about something and they worked to get me right in. I saw the PA Noelle and she is just wonderful. Everyone at the desk and beyond are very welcoming and helpful. Dr. Weber has been my doctor there for years and I trust him explicitly. His assistant Debbie always helps me out and listens to me and is always very kind. The office is warm, clean and inviting. There are a few locations and so that makes it very nice. All in all I’m very impressed with this group of Doctors, Nurses and Assistants.

Mark P.

All of the Staff and the Doctor working at the office were very nice. The doctor understood my concern about My Bi Polar meds because of the reaction I had during my recent heart bypass surgery and the time it took to get back to normal again. The doctor came up with several solutions to my fear of having to get the Anastasia while taking my Bi polar meds and suggested a few other solutions to the the Anastasia. The doctor was great in understanding of my fear of going under Anastasia.

Cindy

I have know Dr Bologna, Gastroenterology Troy for many years & found him to be the most compassionate, caring Dr. He puts you at ease, as soon as he walks thru the door. He is a remarkable physician in Gastroenterology and I recommend him highly. The office staff is extremely nice, helpful and very caring.

Julie S.

Friendly and compassionate care

Terry G.

The NP Nicolette took time to explain everything thing I needed to know! Very knowledgeable. The receptionist was very nice. I would recommend this office. Thank you!

Rich I.

The staff was very professional, and the entire procedure was efficient and easy.

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6231 reviews

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Michael M.

Dr. Bologna is very thorough, down to earth, and pleasant. I trust his judgment...isn't that what it's all about? Highly recommended.

Ariana G.

I was very pleased with my first visit in the Clinton Twp office, Dr. Wille and his staff were so kind, knowledgeable and friendly during my visit.

Ray

Very professional, very friendly, a very good atmosphere

Laurie F.

From the moment I walked into the building for my procedure, the staff was friendly and welcoming. I had no wait time and everything was run professionally and as scheduled. Dr. Wille and his staff made me feel at ease, and are a professional group of people. I would highly recommend this office to others.

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Partha S. Nandi

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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