Colitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, which is the large intestine. This inflammation can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea (which may be bloody or contain mucus), urgency to have bowel movements, and sometimes fever
. There are many types of colitis, including:
- Ulcerative colitis: a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers and inflammation in the colon lining
- Crohn’s colitis: a form of Crohn’s disease affecting the colon
- Infectious colitis: caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections such as Salmonella or Clostridioides difficile
- Ischemic colitis: due to reduced blood flow to the colon
- Microscopic colitis (including collagenous and lymphocytic colitis): inflammation visible only under a microscope
- Other types include diversion colitis, fulminant colitis, chemical colitis, atypical colitis
Causes of colitis vary and can include infections, autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), loss of blood supply, allergies, or reactions to medications
. Colitis can be acute and temporary or chronic and long-lasting. Chronic colitis may lead to complications such as bleeding, colon perforation, or toxic megacolon if untreated
. Diagnosis typically involves physical examination, symptom review, and procedures like colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies to identify inflammation and its cause
. Treatment depends on the type and cause of colitis, ranging from antibiotics for infections to anti-inflammatory medications, immune system suppressors, or surgery for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
. In summary, colitis is inflammation of the colon with diverse causes and types, presenting with abdominal discomfort and changes in bowel habits, requiring medical evaluation for appropriate management.
