Tag: Colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis is a severe colon inflammation that accounts for a significant number of hospitalizations related to antibiotic use. In medical terms, a pseudomembrane is a layer of coagulated inflammatory exudate that forms on the surface of an inflamed mucous membrane.

The human body contains over 200 times more mucosal surface area than skin, making it a critical barrier for internal organs. So, is abnormal mucosa bad? The answer is not always, but it is a significant indicator that your body is dealing with an underlying issue, ranging from minor infections to serious conditions.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, erythematous mucosa is a common finding during an endoscopic procedure, simply indicating redness or inflammation. Understanding how serious is erythematous mucosa depends entirely on the underlying cause, which can range from minor issues to chronic disease.

First introduced in the US in 1979 for mortality reporting, the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) was a standard medical coding system. The ICD-9 code 558 was specifically used for other and unspecified noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis, a classification for inflammation of the digestive tract. This code, though obsolete, provides insight into a class of digestive conditions distinguished from infectious causes.