Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUlcerative ColitisMicroscopic ColitisPseudomembranous ColitisIschemic ColitisAllergic Colitis in InfantsDiagnosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ulcerative Colitis
Microscopic Colitis
Pseudomembranous Colitis
Ischemic Colitis
Allergic Colitis in Infants
Diagnosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Colitis is inflammation of the tissue that lines the colon. Colitis is not a condition in itself but rather a sign that another disease process is at work in the body.
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The six sections of the colon (in order after the small intestine) are the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum.
Ulcerative colitis is a form ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms can include diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, weight loss, and an urgent need to use the toilet.
Ulcerative colitis is most often diagnosed in young adults and does not have a cure. It was once thought of as a Western disease, but it is increasingly becoming more common in developing countries.
It’s not known what causes ulcerative colitis. There are over 200 genes that may be associated with the development of IBD. It’s thought that there may be several different pathways to the development of IBD because of the large number of genes involved.
Genetics is not the only part of this process, however, because most people who have the genes associated with IBD never develop the condition.
Environmental factors and thegut microbiomemay also factor in to the development of the disease.The gut microbiome is composed of bacteria and other microorganisms that normally live in the gut and help with digestion.
There are several medications available to treat ulcerative colitis. Which drug or combination of drugs is used will depend on the severity and extent of the disease, especially how much of the colon is inflamed. Medications include 5-aminosalicylic acid, biologics, steroids, and immunomodulators.
Lifestyle changes and complementary therapies may also be tried. These can include changing your diet, exercising, taking supplements, and tryingacupuncture. Caring for mental health through talk therapy, meditation, mindfulness or other therapies may also be part of your treatment plan.
How Ulcerative Colitis Is Treated
Ulcerative Proctitis
In this form of ulcerative colitis, it is the rectum that is inflamed. Studies have revealed that about 30% of people with ulcerative colitis are diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis.
Common signs and symptoms include diarrhea, with or without blood, pain in the rectum, and the urgent need to go to the bathroom. However, as many as 10% of people with this form may also experienceconstipation.
Left-Sided Colitis
This is the most commonly diagnosed form of ulcerative colitis. Left-sided colitis affects about 40% of people who are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.It’s called “left-sided” because the inflammation is found on the left side of the colon. The symptoms can include bloody diarrhea, weight loss, lack of appetite, and pain on your left side that can be severe.
Pancolitis
When inflammation is found throughout the colon, it is called pancolitis. It is diagnosed in about 30% of patients with ulcerative colitis.The symptoms can include bloody diarrhea, weight loss, lack of appetite, abdominal cramping, and abdominal pain that can be severe.
Microscopic colitisis diagnosed in as many as 20% of people who undergo a colonoscopy to determine the cause of their chronic diarrhea. Women tend to be diagnosed three times as often as men. It also is more common in people over the age of 65.
Unlike ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis does not cause blood in the stool. The inside of the colon looks normal or near normal in a colonoscopy. Some people with this condition find they need to wake up and move their bowels at night. Weight loss and abdominal pain are also common.
There are two subtypes of microscopic colitis: lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis. For diagnosis and treatment, a distinction may not be made between the two forms.
Treatment could include aminosalicylates, bismuth subsalicylate, steroids, or immune-modifying drugs. Patients may need to try a few different drugs to get relief from symptoms. Treatment will also depend on the severity of the symptoms because some medications may have side effects.
The cause is not known, but some of the risk factors are:
Lymphocytic Colitis
In lymphocytic colitis, a biopsy of the inside of the colon taken during a colonoscopy for evaluation of diarrhea may show an increased amount of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes.
Collagenous Colitis
In collagenous colitis, a biopsy taken during a colonoscopy for evaluation of diarrhea may show a thickened collagen layer in the tissue lining the colon.
In pseudomembranous colitis, the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and forms a yellow-white membrane called a pseudomembrane.
The symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis include:
Finding the cause of pseudomembranous colitis is important in treating it. For an infection withC. diffthe treatment might be antibiotics.
In some cases, when the infection is severe and the treatment is available, afecal microbiota transplantcould be used. This procedure infuses feces from a donor to restore the bacteria commonly found in the digestive tract.
Some of the risk factors associated with pseudomembranous colitis are:
Various tests, including blood tests, stool cultures, andendoscopy(such as a colonoscopy), might be used to understand what’s causing the pseudomembranous colitis.
If blood flow to the large intestine is blocked or slowed down, it can cause ischemic colitis. This can happen for many reasons, a few of which are high cholesterol, blood clots, surgery, or the use of cocaine or methamphetamine. This condition can occur in people of any age but is most common in those over age 60.
Some of the risk factors for ischemic colitis include:
Ischemic colitis can come on suddenly, but more often the condition develops over a period of time. In milder cases, treatment in the hospital might include antibiotics, a liquid diet, intravenous fluids, and pain management.
Medications that treat blood clots may also be used. For severe cases, surgery on the colon to remove any tissue that has died might be needed.
Allergic colitis is a condition that can occur in some infants who are breastfeeding. The only symptom that’s usually found is blood in the stool.
This condition may result from a food allergy, but the cause is not well understood. Tests such as endoscopy aren’t usually done but the diagnosis is based on the occurrence of bloody stools.
The bloody stools normally resolve on their own, but the possibility of a food allergy should be looked into. This includes removing foods from the breastfeeding parent’s diet. Usually this begins with removing dairy products for several weeks and seeing if that makes any difference.
Other foods that commonly cause allergies might also be stopped if the bloody stools don’t improve. In some cases, a special formula might be recommended for feeding.
The first step in making a diagnosis will be reviewing symptoms. A doctor will often ask about stools (how often you defecate and if there is any blood) and a description of any abdominal pain. There may also be questions about family history, diet, and current medications.
Tests might be needed to discover the source of the symptoms. These can include:
Summary
Colitis is inflammation of the colon. Types include ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, pseudomembranous colitis, ischemic colitis, and allergic colitis. Each type of colitis varies in its diagnostic process, causes, and treatment.
Diet can be an important part of the treatment for colitis. A physician or dietitian will be the best source of information on diet, especially for chronic causes of colitis, such asulcerative colitis.The goal should be eating a healthful diet that includes fruits and vegetables as soon as possible. In the short term, try eating lower-fiber foods and avoiding any foods that may worsen diarrhea or cause pain.Learn MoreWhat to Eat to Manage Ulcerative Colitis
Diet can be an important part of the treatment for colitis. A physician or dietitian will be the best source of information on diet, especially for chronic causes of colitis, such asulcerative colitis.The goal should be eating a healthful diet that includes fruits and vegetables as soon as possible. In the short term, try eating lower-fiber foods and avoiding any foods that may worsen diarrhea or cause pain.
Diet can be an important part of the treatment for colitis. A physician or dietitian will be the best source of information on diet, especially for chronic causes of colitis, such asulcerative colitis.
The goal should be eating a healthful diet that includes fruits and vegetables as soon as possible. In the short term, try eating lower-fiber foods and avoiding any foods that may worsen diarrhea or cause pain.
Learn MoreWhat to Eat to Manage Ulcerative Colitis
There are a variety of causes of colitis, most of which are not connected to autoimmune or immune-mediated conditions.Ulcerative colitis, however, is an immune-mediated disease, and it has been associated withother conditionssuch as arthritis and psoriasis. It is important to get ulcerative colitis treated and keep it under control in order to avoid potential complications or catch unavoidable ones early.
There are a variety of causes of colitis, most of which are not connected to autoimmune or immune-mediated conditions.
Ulcerative colitis, however, is an immune-mediated disease, and it has been associated withother conditionssuch as arthritis and psoriasis. It is important to get ulcerative colitis treated and keep it under control in order to avoid potential complications or catch unavoidable ones early.
This is one more reason why it’s important to get blood in the stool diagnosed and treated promptly.
Colitis is a sign of disease. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are forms of IBD. Crohn’s disease may cause inflammation throughout the digestive system, while ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon.Also, Crohn’s disease can affect all the layers of the colon, while ulcerative colitis only affects the inner layer. Both conditions are not curable and require lifelong treatment.Learn MoreHow Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are Different
Colitis is a sign of disease. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are forms of IBD. Crohn’s disease may cause inflammation throughout the digestive system, while ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon.Also, Crohn’s disease can affect all the layers of the colon, while ulcerative colitis only affects the inner layer. Both conditions are not curable and require lifelong treatment.
Colitis is a sign of disease. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are forms of IBD. Crohn’s disease may cause inflammation throughout the digestive system, while ulcerative colitis causes inflammation only in the colon.
Also, Crohn’s disease can affect all the layers of the colon, while ulcerative colitis only affects the inner layer. Both conditions are not curable and require lifelong treatment.
Learn MoreHow Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are Different
11 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.Fumery M, Singh S, Dulai PS, Gower-Rousseau C, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Sandborn WJ.Natural history of adult ulcerative colitis in population-based cohorts: A systematic review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(3):343-356.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2017.06.016Guan Q.A comprehensive review and update on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.J Immunol Res.2019 Dec 1;2019:7247238. doi:10.1155/2019/7247238Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Townsend T, Campbell F, O’Toole P, Probert C.Microscopic colitis: diagnosis and management.Gastroenterol. 2019;10(4):388-393. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101040Park T, Cave D, Marshall C.Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(29):8804–8810. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8804Madisch A, Hellmig S, Schreiber S, Bethke B, Stolte M, Miehlke S.Allelic variation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene is associated with collagenous colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis.2011;17:2295-8. doi:10.1002/ibd.21640Farooq PD, Urrunaga NH, Tang DM, von Rosenvinge EC.Pseudomembranous colitis.Dis Mon. 2015;61(5):181-206. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.01.006Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMolnár K, Pintér P, Győrffy H, Cseh A, Müller KE, Arató A, Veres G.Characteristics of allergic colitis in breast-fed infants in the absence of cow’s milk allergy.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(24):3824-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i24.3824
11 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.Fumery M, Singh S, Dulai PS, Gower-Rousseau C, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Sandborn WJ.Natural history of adult ulcerative colitis in population-based cohorts: A systematic review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(3):343-356.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2017.06.016Guan Q.A comprehensive review and update on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.J Immunol Res.2019 Dec 1;2019:7247238. doi:10.1155/2019/7247238Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Townsend T, Campbell F, O’Toole P, Probert C.Microscopic colitis: diagnosis and management.Gastroenterol. 2019;10(4):388-393. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101040Park T, Cave D, Marshall C.Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(29):8804–8810. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8804Madisch A, Hellmig S, Schreiber S, Bethke B, Stolte M, Miehlke S.Allelic variation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene is associated with collagenous colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis.2011;17:2295-8. doi:10.1002/ibd.21640Farooq PD, Urrunaga NH, Tang DM, von Rosenvinge EC.Pseudomembranous colitis.Dis Mon. 2015;61(5):181-206. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.01.006Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMolnár K, Pintér P, Győrffy H, Cseh A, Müller KE, Arató A, Veres G.Characteristics of allergic colitis in breast-fed infants in the absence of cow’s milk allergy.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(24):3824-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i24.3824
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.
Fumery M, Singh S, Dulai PS, Gower-Rousseau C, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Sandborn WJ.Natural history of adult ulcerative colitis in population-based cohorts: A systematic review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(3):343-356.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2017.06.016Guan Q.A comprehensive review and update on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.J Immunol Res.2019 Dec 1;2019:7247238. doi:10.1155/2019/7247238Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Townsend T, Campbell F, O’Toole P, Probert C.Microscopic colitis: diagnosis and management.Gastroenterol. 2019;10(4):388-393. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101040Park T, Cave D, Marshall C.Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(29):8804–8810. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8804Madisch A, Hellmig S, Schreiber S, Bethke B, Stolte M, Miehlke S.Allelic variation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene is associated with collagenous colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis.2011;17:2295-8. doi:10.1002/ibd.21640Farooq PD, Urrunaga NH, Tang DM, von Rosenvinge EC.Pseudomembranous colitis.Dis Mon. 2015;61(5):181-206. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.01.006Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMolnár K, Pintér P, Győrffy H, Cseh A, Müller KE, Arató A, Veres G.Characteristics of allergic colitis in breast-fed infants in the absence of cow’s milk allergy.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(24):3824-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i24.3824
Fumery M, Singh S, Dulai PS, Gower-Rousseau C, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Sandborn WJ.Natural history of adult ulcerative colitis in population-based cohorts: A systematic review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16(3):343-356.e3. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2017.06.016
Guan Q.A comprehensive review and update on the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.J Immunol Res.2019 Dec 1;2019:7247238. doi:10.1155/2019/7247238
Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-Biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2
Townsend T, Campbell F, O’Toole P, Probert C.Microscopic colitis: diagnosis and management.Gastroenterol. 2019;10(4):388-393. doi:10.1136/flgastro-2018-101040
Park T, Cave D, Marshall C.Microscopic colitis: A review of etiology, treatment and refractory disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(29):8804–8810. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8804
Madisch A, Hellmig S, Schreiber S, Bethke B, Stolte M, Miehlke S.Allelic variation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene is associated with collagenous colitis.Inflamm Bowel Dis.2011;17:2295-8. doi:10.1002/ibd.21640
Farooq PD, Urrunaga NH, Tang DM, von Rosenvinge EC.Pseudomembranous colitis.Dis Mon. 2015;61(5):181-206. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.01.006
Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.
FitzGerald JF, Hernandez Iii LO.Ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2015;28(2):93-98. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549099
Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-z
Molnár K, Pintér P, Győrffy H, Cseh A, Müller KE, Arató A, Veres G.Characteristics of allergic colitis in breast-fed infants in the absence of cow’s milk allergy.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(24):3824-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i24.3824
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