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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Excellent

Center For Digestive Health, Rochester Hills4.8

Based on 6231 reviews

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Bonellova

Excellent service and staff!

Carol

Very professional, well scheduled, gave me a sense of confidence. So well organized and professional.

Aaron R.

Staff were kind and professional.

Ms. J.

I am pleased with my new Gastroenterologist. Dr. Saeed was wonderful. The staff was great. I was seen with no waiting time. Everyone I came in contact with was super efficient and professional. The Doc did not rush me and understood me very well. I am in good hands. My former Gastro was the absolute best and I was worried I could not replace him. Thank goodness I found Troy Digestive Health. All is well!

greg B.

Excellent process and staff. Dr. Donat and his staff nurses and anesthesiolgist were top notch , explained each step of the procedure and reviewed the results with me in terms that were easily understood.

F S.

From arrival until departure, the staff is pleasant and prepared to answer all questions and get you out. Very professional operation.

Deborah G.

Very caring and knowledgeable!

1llaryssa

I had a wonderful experience at the Center for Digestive Health. From the moment I walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and professional. The office is clean, well-organized, and has a calm atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. The pre and post procedure nurse was very kind and accommodating. Dr. Nandi is truly exceptional. His expertise and compassionate approach made me feel confident that I was in great hands. I highly recommend Dr. Nandi and his team. It’s rare to find a doctor who combines such professionalism with a genuine, kind demeanor. I’m so grateful to have found such a wonderful healthcare provider!

Barbara V.

Very professional and caring. Everything goes smoothly throughout the whole process. Highly recommended!

Dave B.

why send review ir Cordwell health , they change what you write Dr Nandy is a great concerning dr.

Jeanette P.

Everyone's so helpful and careing,Dr gives me the results of my persedure before I leave.

Jon D.

CDH has been the epitome of a professional practice. The nursing staff and doctors are friendly and genuinely caring. They are open to questions, informative regarding every step of the procedure and always follow up the following day to ensure you are doing well.

Chuck M.

Everyone was very nice and professional. Nurses, prep team, recovery Nurses and the Dr. Highly recommend. Thank you for the great care.

Donna D.

Excellent experience. Fast, efficient, clean. Friendly nurses. Dr Willie is the best. My second colonoscopy with him over 10 years. Highly recommend him and the center as a whole!

Linda L.

A Colonoscopy is not likely at the top of anyone's favorite things to do list. That being said...I found everyone from the intake personnel, to nurses, to the anesthesiologist, to Dr. Bakken kind, professional and efficient. Couldn't have been treated better.

Kent P.

Excellent staff. Nice facility.

Gerald W.

I felt very at ease with my procedure.

Bob P.

The staff at CDH were considerate, prompt and professional. No one looks forward to a colonoscopy but, the people who took care of me made it the best experience it could have been. Thank you!

Vicki R.

Went in for 2 procedures. Everyone was very kind and did whatever they could to make me comfortable. The folks here are very professional. They thoroughly answered my questions and even called me later in the day to ensure I was well and not in pain.

Lanny B.

The entire staff was extremely friendly and efficient. They took an event that by all means is awkward and intrusive procedure and made it as pleasant as it could possibly be. Everyone was caring and engaging. I highly recommend this office for anyone needing their services. Thank you.

David J.

Had a procedure with Dr. Bologna at Macomb location. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. In and out in 90 minutes.

jocq4u

We love this medical practice. Dr. Tocco has taken good care of my elderly father, and we'll continue to rely on their expertise for years to come.

Sam D.

What an Awesome experience this was. I was nervous to say the least. But everyone here calmed me down. Now that I have it out of the way. It was one of my most enjoyable moments at a Doctors office. Thank you for showing so much patience with me.

G K.

I have been a patient here for a long time and I find everyone from staff to the doctors very professional and caring. Please give them a try you will not be disappointed

Richard S.

Very caring and compassionate service!

The Center for Digestive Health4.8

Based on 6236 reviews

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Joe M.

All staff were very pleasant and professional.

Ed L.

The peope were very professional and courteous. I would highly recommend this location

Leeann P.

Been seeing Dr Bologna for several years of my colonoscopies and GERD. He is very nice and explains everything .

John W S.

Everyone here is incredibly kind and caring. I had some anxiety when I was preparing for my procedure, but it was done and over with before I had time to think about it. Dr. Donat is excellent, and takes time to explain everything.

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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