Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesCondition-Specific SignsTreatmentReoccurring SymptomsCancer RiskFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Condition-Specific Signs
Treatment
Reoccurring Symptoms
Cancer Risk
Frequently Asked Questions
“Erythematous mucosa"is a term to describe the inflammation and redness of the inner lining of the digestive tract. Erythematous mucosa is associated with conditions such asgastritis(inflammation of the stomach lining),colitis(inflammation of the lining of the colon, or large intestine), andproctitis(inflammation of the rectum).
This article will discuss the various underlying conditions that may cause inflammation within thegastrointestinal tract, their causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.
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Causes of Erythematous Mucosa
Stomach
There are various causes of gastritis leading to inflammation in the stomach, including:
Colon
Often, the specific cause of colon inflammation or colitis is unknown, but may include the following:
Crohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitisare two of the most common types ofinflammatory bowel disease. They are:Crohn’s disease affects parts of the digestive tract and often causes inflammation at the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks healthy tissue. The exact cause is unknown.Ulcerative colitis affects the lining of the large intestine and the rectum. The cause is unknown, but individuals with ulcerative colitis typically also have immune system issues. Stress and certain foods can aggravate and trigger symptoms, but it is not the cause of this condition.
Crohn’s diseaseandulcerative colitisare two of the most common types ofinflammatory bowel disease. They are:
Rectum
Proctitis refers to inflammation of the rectum. There are many causes, including:
Condition-Specific Signs of Erythematous Mucosa
Depending on the underlying condition causing erythematous mucosa, symptoms will vary.
Many individuals with gastritis don’t have symptoms. Those with symptoms may experience the following:
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis share several symptoms.
The main symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
Other symptoms of Crohn’s disease are:
Similarly, ulcerative colitis may also present as:
Additional common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
Other less common symptoms include:
Since inflammation in the colon due to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can be the cause of proctitis, there is an overlap in symptoms. These include:
Treatment will vary based on whether the erythematous mucosa is in the stomach, colon, or rectum. The underlying cause of the inflammation will also influence treatment.
Treatment for gastritis includes:
The goal of treatment with inflammatory bowel diseases is to control symptoms, prevent repeated attacks, and help the colon heal.
Crohn’s disease can be managed through diet, stress management, supplementation as needed, medication, or surgery:
Dietary recommendationsinclude:
Stress management is recommended as stress may worsen digestive issues.
Supplementation may be indicated if the individual is deficient. Common deficiencies due to inadequate absorption in the small or large intestine include iron, calcium, and vitamin B12.
Medicationmay help treat the symptoms, including:
An Overview of Managing Crohn’s Disease Fistulas
Surgerymay remove a damaged portion or the entire colon. Anileostomymay remove waste when the colon or rectum is removed or isn’t working properly.
Dietary recommendationsare the same for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Individuals with ulcerative colitis should also make an effort to manage their stress.
Severeulcerative colitissymptoms may require hospital treatment, corticosteroids, and intravenous (IV) nutrient administration.
The entire colon and rectum may be removed in cases where:
Inflammation in the rectum usually goes away when the underlying cause is treated. Antibiotics may be used if an infection is the cause of the inflammation. Corticosteroids, mesalamine suppositories, orenemasmay help relieve symptoms.
Recurring Symptoms and Possible Complications
The prognosis for inflammation of the stomach is often good, but it depends on the underlying cause of gastritis. Blood loss is a possible complication of gastritis.
Crohn’s disease is incurable and alternates between periods of improvement and flare-ups. A higher risk of cancer in the small bowel or colon is a complication of this condition.
About half of people with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Severe symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis tend to be less responsive to medication. The risk of developing cancers increases with each decade after diagnosis.
Complications include the thickening of the intestinal walls causing severe flare-ups. This thickening can cause:
Ulcerative colitis can also present problems with nutrient absorption, which can contribute to the following:
Proctitis tends to have a good outcome with treatment. Possible complications include:
Cancer risk increases with the state of inflammation in the various areas of the digestive tract. Below are potential risks to be aware of.
A healthcare provider can help monitor your inflammation and recommend screening for cancer if needed.
Summary
Erythematous mucosa refers to redness and inflammation in the digestive tract lining, including the stomach, colon, and rectum. Various health conditions can lead to inflammation and redness, including gastritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and proctitis.
Treatment will vary depending on the condition’s cause and the severity of your symptoms. Medical treatment and monitoring will help manage symptoms and flare-ups. Inflammation of the stomach, small bowel, and colon can increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer, so a healthcare provider may recommend screenings.
A Word From Verywell
Gastritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and proctitis symptoms can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. It can be frustrating to deal with digestive discomfort, but managing lifestyle factors like diet and stress can help. Working with a healthcare provider you trust can help you manage symptoms and work towards healing your digestive tract.
Often an individual with stomach inflammation orgastritiswill not experience symptoms. If they do, symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper part of the abdomen, black stools due to bleeding, or vomiting blood or a substance resembling coffee grounds.
The medical terms “erythematous” (adjective) and “erythema” (noun) are used to describe abnormal redness in the mucosa or skin due to injury or inflammation.
It depends on the severity of the symptoms. Most conditions that cause erythematous mucosa require changes to diet and lifestyle. If symptoms are severe or unmanageable, they may require medication or surgery. There may also benatural home remediesthat can help alleviate symptoms such asnausea.
Certain foods can help ease or worsen symptoms.Dietary recommendationsfor digestive inflammation include:
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pennelli G, Grillo F, Galuppini F, et al.Gastritis: update on etiological features and histological practical approach.Pathologica.2020;112(3):153-165. doi:10.32074/1591-951X-163MedlinePlus.Colitis.MedlinePlus.Crohn’s disease.MedlinePlus.Ulcerative colitis.MedlinePlus.Proctitis.MedlinePlus.Gastritis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pennelli G, Grillo F, Galuppini F, et al.Gastritis: update on etiological features and histological practical approach.Pathologica.2020;112(3):153-165. doi:10.32074/1591-951X-163MedlinePlus.Colitis.MedlinePlus.Crohn’s disease.MedlinePlus.Ulcerative colitis.MedlinePlus.Proctitis.MedlinePlus.Gastritis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pennelli G, Grillo F, Galuppini F, et al.Gastritis: update on etiological features and histological practical approach.Pathologica.2020;112(3):153-165. doi:10.32074/1591-951X-163MedlinePlus.Colitis.MedlinePlus.Crohn’s disease.MedlinePlus.Ulcerative colitis.MedlinePlus.Proctitis.MedlinePlus.Gastritis.
Pennelli G, Grillo F, Galuppini F, et al.Gastritis: update on etiological features and histological practical approach.Pathologica.2020;112(3):153-165. doi:10.32074/1591-951X-163
MedlinePlus.Colitis.
MedlinePlus.Crohn’s disease.
MedlinePlus.Ulcerative colitis.
MedlinePlus.Proctitis.
MedlinePlus.Gastritis.
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