Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesColitisCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Colitis
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Colitis is when the inner lining of thecolon (large intestine)is inflamed due to infection or disease. The inflammation can cause swelling and ulcers as well as other symptoms, depending on the cause.
Some common conditions that cause colitis include inflammatory bowel disease (which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis),Clostridioides difficilecolitis, microscopic colitis, ischemic colitis, and allergic colitis.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
The colon is part of the digestive tract and the biggest part of the large intestine. The parts of the large intestine are the cecum, colon, rectum, and anus. It is a hollow tube between the small intestine and the rectum, where water and a few vitamins and minerals are absorbed from stool.
The colon is described as having four sections: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.
Types of Colitis
These are common types of colitis.
Crohn’s Colitis
Crohn’s diseaseis one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This disorder can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth through to the anus. There are different forms of Crohn’s disease, based on where the inflammation is located.
When the disease is located in the large intestine, it is called Crohn’s colitis. Crohn’s that affects only the colon is found in about 20% of all people with the disease.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitisis a second form of IBD. This type affects only the large intestine. The colon and the rectum may be inflamed. Any segment of the colon can be involved, but the disease starts with inflammation in the last section and may spread up the colon to the other sections.
C. difficile Colitis
Clostridioides difficile(C. difficile,formerly known asClostridium difficile) is a bacteria that normally lives in the digestive tract. However, some conditions can cause this bacteria to overgrow.C. difficilereleases toxins, and in small amounts, it doesn’t cause illness. However, too much of the toxin in the colon can cause inflammation.
Microscopic Colitis
The colon may look normal during a colonoscopy, but inflammation might be seen in collagenous colitis.
Ischemic Colitis
Allergic Colitis
Colitis Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of colitis will depend partly on the reason for the colitis and whether it is from an infection, a chronic illness, or is self-limiting (will eventually resolve).
Some of the more general signs and symptoms of colitis can include:
Other symptoms are going to be more specific to the type of colitis. For instance, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may also be associated with symptoms outside the digestive system. Some of these other signs and symptoms might include:
The cause of the colitis is different for each type:
Astool samplemight be needed to either confirm or rule out an infection, such as withC. difficile.Blood work might also be helpful. It may not help in diagnosing the cause of the colitis, but it can help the doctor to understand if there are increased levels ofwhite blood cellsor if thered blood cell countis low from blood loss.
In some cases, other tests might be used that can show if the walls of the colon have become thickened because they are scarred or inflamed. This includes:
How the colitis is treated will depend on the cause. In some cases, it can be treated and then resolved. But in others, the condition might be considered chronic, and will be long-lasting.
IBD
IBD is an immune-mediated condition that is lifelong. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis might be treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid medications (5-ASA),corticosteroids, immunomodulators, andbiologics. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and stress reduction, might be used as well.
Complementary and alternative therapies, vitamins, minerals, and supplements might be used to treat the various signs and symptoms of the disease or its effects.
Cholestyramine, 5-ASA drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drugs have all been studied for use in treating microscopic colitis, with varying results. There are also case reports of surgery (colectomywith ileostomy placement) used to treat this condition, but it is not common.
If the cause is from a medication, such as one that constricts the blood vessels, stopping the drug might be part of treatment. Antibiotics, pain relief medications, and intravenous fluids might also be given in the hospital.
For serious or life-threatening cases of this condition, surgery to repair the damage to the arteries or to the parts of the colon that are affected might be needed.
The treatment ofC. difficileinfection can get tricky because it is usually treated with antibiotics, including Vancocin (vancomycin), Xifaxan (rifaximin), and Dificid (fidaxomicin). Resistance to antibiotics, however, is an increasingly difficult problem and can affect treatment decisions.
Probiotics have not shown many results in treating the infection but might also be used, along with other therapies.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic, lifelong conditions. However, most people have mild or moderate disease that can be controlled with available medical therapies. Some patients experience severe disease and need hospitalizations, surgery, or experience complications.
Patients should keep in close contact with their physicians to keep up with treatment and understand their individual risk of complications.
Microscopic colitis can be chronic, but many patients achieve remission with treatment. Usually, medication needs to be continued because when it is stopped, symptoms may crop up again. There are rare cases where the condition doesn’t respond well to treatment, and surgery or biologics are needed.
Overall, the prognosis for ischemic colitis is good. However, it will be highly dependent on the cause, how extensive the damage is, and which part of the colon is affected. This condition can be fatal, but that is rare and usually when the entire colon is affected and surgery is needed. However, the majority of people recover without needing surgery.
Unfortunately,C. difficileinfections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance. Some patients have recurrent infections because it can be difficult to eradicate all the bacteria.
There is ongoing study to find combinations of antibiotics that may help patients clear the infection and newer treatments like fecal microbiota transplantation.
In most cases, allergic colitis is self-limiting and will resolve on its own. Blood in the stool is upsetting for caregivers, but fortunately, it rarely leads to anemia. There may be treatments given, such as changes to diet, with supplements being given when needed.
The symptoms of colitis can be distressing.Blood in the stoolis never normal and is always a reason to seek medical attention. There are many different possible reasons forabdominal painand bleeding, which can be confusing and make the diagnosis process long.
In some cases, the reason for colitis can be treated and it doesn’t occur again. In others, however, it can be chronic and lifelong. It can be distressing to learn that a condition can’t currently be cured but needs ongoing medical treatment. Living with unpredictability can be difficult.
For some causes of colitis, treatment might include changes to diet. A referral to a registered dietitian can help in learning how to manage diet in the long and short term. This can also ensure that there are enough vitamins and nutrients in the diet.
Support groups can also be a significant source of information. Connecting with others who live with the condition or who are caregivers is a way to learn how to live a better quality of life and understand more about treatments.
Summary
Colitis is inflammation of the lining of the colon. Common types include inflammatory bowel disease,Clostridium difficilecolitis, microscopic colitis, ischemic colitis, and allergic colitis. These often have symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, and blood in the stool.
The diagnostic process will often include imaging. Treatment will depend on the type but could include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
A Word From Verywell
No matter the reason for the colitis, it can be a disruption to your life to get a diagnosis and treatment. It may be difficult to talk about bloody stools, diarrhea, and other digestive system problems. Still, it’s important to tell healthcare professionals about all the signs and symptoms.
There will be various emotions that come along with being diagnosed with a digestive condition, whether it is chronic or acute in nature. It may be helpful to connect with a therapist or social worker to work through processing everything.
10 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.Hedrick TL, Friel CM.Colonic Crohn disease.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;26(2):84-89. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1348046.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.Depestel DD, Aronoff DM.Epidemiology ofClostridium difficileinfection.J Pharm Pract.2013;26(5):464–475. doi:10.1177/0897190013499521.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.Washington C, Carmichael JC.Management of ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):228-235. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1329534.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.i24.382Cleveland Clinic.Ulcerative colitis.Lamb CA, Kennedy NA, Raine T, et al.British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults.Gut. 2019;68(Suppl 3):s1-s106. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318484.Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.Dinleyici M, Vandenplas Y.Clostridium difficilecolitis prevention and treatment.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1125:139-146. doi:10.1007/5584_2018_322.Additional ReadingSubramanian S, Ekbom A, Rhodes JM.Recent advances in clinical practice: a systematic review of isolated colonic Crohn’s disease: the third IBD?Gut. 2017;66(2):362-381. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312673.
10 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.Hedrick TL, Friel CM.Colonic Crohn disease.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;26(2):84-89. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1348046.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.Depestel DD, Aronoff DM.Epidemiology ofClostridium difficileinfection.J Pharm Pract.2013;26(5):464–475. doi:10.1177/0897190013499521.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.Washington C, Carmichael JC.Management of ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):228-235. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1329534.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.i24.382Cleveland Clinic.Ulcerative colitis.Lamb CA, Kennedy NA, Raine T, et al.British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults.Gut. 2019;68(Suppl 3):s1-s106. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318484.Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.Dinleyici M, Vandenplas Y.Clostridium difficilecolitis prevention and treatment.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1125:139-146. doi:10.1007/5584_2018_322.Additional ReadingSubramanian S, Ekbom A, Rhodes JM.Recent advances in clinical practice: a systematic review of isolated colonic Crohn’s disease: the third IBD?Gut. 2017;66(2):362-381. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312673.
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.
Hedrick TL, Friel CM.Colonic Crohn disease.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;26(2):84-89. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1348046.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.Depestel DD, Aronoff DM.Epidemiology ofClostridium difficileinfection.J Pharm Pract.2013;26(5):464–475. doi:10.1177/0897190013499521.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.Washington C, Carmichael JC.Management of ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):228-235. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1329534.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.i24.382Cleveland Clinic.Ulcerative colitis.Lamb CA, Kennedy NA, Raine T, et al.British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults.Gut. 2019;68(Suppl 3):s1-s106. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318484.Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.Dinleyici M, Vandenplas Y.Clostridium difficilecolitis prevention and treatment.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1125:139-146. doi:10.1007/5584_2018_322.
Hedrick TL, Friel CM.Colonic Crohn disease.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013;26(2):84-89. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1348046.
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.
Depestel DD, Aronoff DM.Epidemiology ofClostridium difficileinfection.J Pharm Pract.2013;26(5):464–475. doi:10.1177/0897190013499521.
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.
Washington C, Carmichael JC.Management of ischemic colitis.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):228-235. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1329534.
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.i24.382
Cleveland Clinic.Ulcerative colitis.
Lamb CA, Kennedy NA, Raine T, et al.British Society of Gastroenterology consensus guidelines on the management of inflammatory bowel disease in adults.Gut. 2019;68(Suppl 3):s1-s106. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2019-318484.
Food and Drug Administration.Fecal microbiota products.
Dinleyici M, Vandenplas Y.Clostridium difficilecolitis prevention and treatment.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1125:139-146. doi:10.1007/5584_2018_322.
Subramanian S, Ekbom A, Rhodes JM.Recent advances in clinical practice: a systematic review of isolated colonic Crohn’s disease: the third IBD?Gut. 2017;66(2):362-381. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312673.
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