Q: Can you please give me some information on pseudomembranous colitis? I had bad diarrhea following a course of antibiotics for pneumonia.
A: Pseudomembranous colitis can range from being a mild illness with few symptoms to a serious condition where the person can have watery diarrhea every hour. This can be potentially life threatening as it can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. It can also cause a serious problem known as toxic megacolon, where the large bowel swells up to several times its normal size and can even split. Intravenous fluids and hospitalization may be required.
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This form of colitis is not the same as ulcerative colitis, which is a disorder similar to Crohn’s disease, only affecting the large bowel. Pseudomembranous colitis is caused by an infection with the bacterium Clostridium difficile. Antibiotic treatment can cause the normal healthy bacteria in the gut to be wiped out, leaving room for the nasty intruder.
The antibiotics most likely to cause this problem are the cephalosporins, such as Ceclor or Ceftin, the penicillins and Clindomycin. It is also possible to pick up this germ through unwashed hands and contaminated food.
The first thing to do is stop the offending antibiotic immediately if you have not already done so. Treatment involves replacing lost fluids and electrolytes such as salt, and the use of a drug known as metronidazole or Flagyl. Sometimes another drug known as Vancomycin is used, even though it sounds strange to treat a condition caused by antibiotics with another antibiotic.
Asthma and herbal remedies
Q:I have asthma and am on medication, which includes a steroid inhaler and bronchodilators. Are there any dangers involved in also taking a herbal
remedy?
A: Green tea is good for most of us, but can interact with the asthma drug theophylline. Antacids and St. John’s Wort, used for depression, can also lower the efficacy of theophylline.
If you have asthma, avoid chamomile because it can trigger an allergic reaction in people who suffer from hay fever.
If you are taking steroids such as prednisone, you should be careful with rhubarb root, betel nuts and licorice.
