Epiploic appendagitis is a condition in which fat sacs are on the outside of the large intestine. This is a rare pathology, affecting mainly people from 40 to 50 years old and can go away on their own after 5-7 days without treatment.
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What is colitis fat mane?
Epiploic appendagitis is the medical term for fatty deposits on the outer surface of the large intestine. Each fat mane is nourished and fed by a small branch of veins and arteries.
The fat sac is usually yellow with 1 vein and 1-2 arteries, shaped like little finger, grape or oval. The number of fat sacs ranges from 50 to 100, stretching from the cuspid to the point between the sigmoid colon and the rectum. The fat sac can become anemic and necrotic due to a twisted or thrombotic venous formation.
This is a fairly rare condition, difficult to diagnose clinically and very easy to be confused with intestinal problems such as colitis , diverticulitis and appendicitis. However, the disease is capable of self-limiting and usually resolves on its own after 5-7 days. Treatment of this pathology is mainly the use of drugs to relieve pain, prevent infection and very few cases require surgical intervention.
Know the symptoms of colitis
Colonic fat sacs tend to friction with the surrounding organs and cause abdominal pain. The pain of adipose mane usually occurs in the middle and lower abdomen, especially more pain on the left.
The pain tends to start in waves, dull to severe, and pain increases with hand pressing against the abdominal wall. In addition, pain levels are also significantly increased when breathing deeply, coughing and performing abdominal stretches.
A few cases may also experience symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Not good eating
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms of fatty mane inflammation are not typical, are quite faint and easily confused with other intestinal diseases.
Causes of colitis fat mane inflammation
Based on the cause, adipose colitis is divided into 2 categories, which include primary adipocytitis and primary adipocircular mane. Although there are different etiologies, both are associated with abnormal blood flow and epithelial regions outside the colon.
1. Primary colitis fat mane inflammation
Primary adipose colitis is common in overweight – obese women over 50 years old. The disease occurs due to the sigmoidoscopic torsion or the appearance of a spontaneous blood clot that disrupts the blood supply to the colon lining.
As a result, blood vessels and arteries tend to supply blood to only a few specific locations, leading to inflammation and the development of abnormal fat bands on the outer surface of the large intestine.
2. Secondary adipose colitis
Usually occurs after inflammation of the colon (acute colitis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, …). These conditions cause inflammation and damage to the colon mucosa, thereby altering circulation in the colon lining. The blood flow is not evenly distributed but mainly focuses on a few places, thereby provoking an inflammatory response and the appearance of fat mane sacs.
Research shows that colitis is common in people from 40 to 50 years old, especially people who are overweight – obese or those with excessive eating habits.
Is colitis fat mane dangerous?
Fatty colitis is a rare and mild to moderate disease. The disease usually self-limiting after 5-7 days and very few cases require surgical intervention. However, in a few cases, this pathology can cause a number of complications such as:
- Create an abscess in the intestine
- Peritonitis
- Intestinal cage
- Bowel obstruction
- Intestinal stickiness
Complications of fatty mane inflammation are serious and can be life-threatening. Therefore, as soon as the dull pain appears in the lower abdomen, you should proactively go to the hospital for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis of fatty colitis
As mentioned, adipose colitis is a disease that is difficult to diagnose clinically. Common symptoms are left abdominal pain with nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea. In addition to the physical examination, the doctor can assess the risk of disease through favorable factors such as obesity, the age of 40-50 years, a history of appendicitis, diverticulitis, …
After the clinical examination, the doctor will order some subclinical tests such as:
- X-ray: X-ray is a nonspecific diagnostic technique for fatty mane of the colon. However, through the picture of this test, the doctor may rule out certain possibilities such as polyps or colon cancer.
- Ultrasound: Ultrasound helps to detect small, abnormally circular masses surrounding the colon lining.
- CT: CT is one of the valuable techniques in the diagnosis of adipose colitis. This technique helps the doctor see the fat sacs that lie outside the colon wall.
- Blood test: Fatty mane inflammation does not change blood count. However, blood tests are done to rule out possible illnesses such as appendicitis, acute colitis , …
The methods of treating fatty mane of the colon
Fatty mane inflammation is a self-limiting disease. The disease can be in remission after 5-7 days without treatment. Currently, the treatment of this pathology is mainly the use of drugs to improve symptoms and prevent infection. However, in reality, there are still a few cases requiring surgery due to the disease recurrence and complications arise.
Common treatments for fatty mane inflammation:
1. Home care
In fact, diet and activity do not greatly affect the treatment of fatty mane of the colon. However, you should develop a scientific care regimen to improve your health, improve health and reduce the impact of the disease.
Care regimen for people with colitis:
- Should rest for 3-5 days after symptoms onset to give your body time to recover.
- Limit activities that increase pain levels such as vigorous exercise, abdominal muscle tension, …
- Soft, liquid, nutritious and easily digested dishes should be used during treatment to reduce pressure on the intestinal tract, help the colon to easily digest food and avoid over stimulation.
- Limit use of alcohol, stimulants, fast foods, foods high in fat, spices and indigestible. These foods and drinks can disrupt bowel movements, irritate fat bags and increase pain levels.
- Should keep psychological comfort, avoid heavy labor and intense exercise during treatment.
2. Use pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs
Fatty mane inflammation can go away on its own after 5-7 days without treatment. However, symptoms of the disease can affect quality of life. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe a number of medications such as:
- Paracetamol: Paracetamol is often preferred because it is relatively safe in therapeutic doses. However, if you have hepatitis , kidney failure, repeated anemia and G6PD enzyme deficiency, you should inform your doctor for another drug prescription.
- Ibuprofen: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The drug has a stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect than Paracetamol. However, ibuprofen should not be used if there is a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, active peptic ulcer, etc.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be used in the treatment of fatty mane of the colon – especially those that trigger after appendicitis and acute colitis. The purpose of antibiotic use is to prevent inflammation and prevent abscess complications, peritonitis, …
These medications are usually prescribed for 3 – 7 days depending on the level of symptoms. If the pain is severe and lasts more than 7 days, you should notify your doctor for evaluation and consideration of surgical intervention.
3. Surgical treatment of colitis fat mane
Most cases of colitis have a good response to conservative treatment and can be relieved after 5-7 days. However, in a few cases, the disease can cause complications or recur after a short time.
At this time, the doctor may consider surgery to remove colonic fat sac to reduce the risk of recurrence and prevent dangerous complications such as abscesses, peritonitis, …
Prevention of colitis fatty mane inflammation
Fatty colitis is a rare condition and can occur for many different reasons. To protect your health, you can take some precautions such as:
- Weight control is the most effective preventive measure against colitis. According to experts, people with high fat are more likely to form fat bags outside the colon than people with moderate weight.
- Eating too much can also increase your risk of forming a colonic fat sac. When tolerating a large amount of food, the large intestine must work continuously to eliminate. In addition, the amount of food inside the colon can put pressure on the mucosa, thereby altering blood flow and increasing the risk of fat sac.
- Exercise regularly, eat moderately, eat enough meals, avoid fasting or overeating.
- Thorough treatment of intestinal diseases such as diverticulitis, colitis, …
Fatty mane inflammation is a rare disease and can be relieved after 5-7 days without treatment. However, in a few cases, the disease can recur and cause serious complications. Therefore, if you notice any abnormal symptoms, you should proactively examine and treat as directed by your doctor.
