Colitis is inflammation of the lining of the colon. Many different conditions can cause this, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which are types of inflammatory bowel disease.
The most common type of colitis is ulcerative colitis (UC), which causes ulcers or sores to develop in the stomach. The inflammation extends from the rectum along the inner lining of the colon.
Although the types and causes of colitis may differ, most symptoms overlap. How the condition affects an individual varies from person to person.
This article discusses the different types of colitis, its causes and risk factors, and when to contact a doctor.
Colitis refers to inflammation within the lining of the colon. This
Colitis is often a lifelong condition, and there is currently
Colitis
UC is the
People with chronic UC
Acute severe UC is a condition that can be life threatening and almost always requires hospitalization to balance fluids and electrolytes and, in some cases, to obtain nutritional support.
According to a 2023 study, approximately
Some types of UC include:
Ulcerative proctitis
This type of colitis is limited to the rectum. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation notes there is no increased risk of cancer.
Symptoms of ulcerative proctitis can include:
Left-sided colitis
Inflammation begins at the rectum and continues along the left side of the colon. It can also include proctosigmoiditis, which affects the rectum and lower part of the colon above the rectum, or the sigmoid colon.
Symptoms of left-sided colitis may include:
- weight loss
- appetite loss
- pain on the left side of the abdomen
- bloody diarrhea
Extensive colitis
This condition affects most of the colon. In the case of pancolitis, it affects all of the colon.
Symptoms of extensive colitis include:
- weight loss
- appetite loss
- bloody diarrhea
- abdominal pain
Causes
UC can occur
Crohn’s colitis is one of several types of Crohn’s disease. Unlike other variations of the condition, Crohn’s colitis only affects the colon.
Symptoms overlap between Crohn’s conditions, but people with Crohn’s colitis are more likely to develop skin lesions and joint pain.
Some other symptoms include:
Causes
Crohn’s colitis may occur due to:
- genetics
- an autoimmune reaction
- smoking
- the gut microbiome
- some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
A healthcare professional can only see microscopic colitis with a microscope.
There are
With the lymphocytic type, there are a higher number of white blood cells than usual, and the colon lining is of a standard thickness.
With the collagenous type, the layer of collagen under the epithelium is thicker than usual.
The symptoms of each type are similar. A person will typically experience watery diarrhea that does not contain blood.
Some other signs and symptoms
- abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating
- weight loss
- fecal incontinence
- strong urges to have a bowel movement
- fatigue
Causes
Microscopic colitis may occur due to:
Autoimmune conditions
In these cases, a person’s immune system attacks its own cells. Autoimmune conditions that may be a cause
Medications
Medications that may be associated with microscopic colitis include:
Infections
Bacterial and viral infections may cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Bile acid malabsorption
Bile acid is a fluid that helps carry waste out of the body.
Bile acid malabsorption occurs when the intestines are unable to reabsorb the bile acid. If it reaches the colon, it can lead to diarrhea.
Another type of colitis is ischemic colitis. It occurs due to reduced blood flow to the colon.
A person
Other ischemic colitis symptoms include:
A 2015 article states that there are
- gangrenous
- stricturing
- transient
Most people have the transient type, which causes milder symptoms, but some have the gangrenous type.
Gangrenous ischemic colitis is particularly severe. People with this condition are likely to require surgical intervention when symptoms appear.
Cause
Ischemic colitis occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to the colon. This can happen for various reasons, such as heart disease and other conditions that affect blood flow.
Pseudomembranous colitis is usually
These bacteria are always present in the body, but there are usually enough “good” bacteria to override them.
When these good bacteria die, often after a person has taken antibiotics, the presence of C. difficile increases, causing inflammation in the colon.
Cause
Pseudomembranous colitis can occur due to taking medications that destroy healthy bacteria, such as antibiotics.
Colitis can also result from conditions unrelated to IBD. One such condition is cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a common strain of the herpes virus.
One
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- fever
- rectal bleeding
- weight loss
- feelings of discomfort
Rectal bleeding and diarrhea appear to be the most common symptoms.
If a person with CMV develops symptoms of colitis, they should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Cause
CMV is a strain of the herpes virus that affects approximately
However, symptoms can occur, especially in those with a compromised immune system.
Treatment options will depend on the type and severity of symptoms that a person is experiencing.
There are different types of medications that a doctor may suggest,
- aminosalicylates
- corticosteroids
- biological drugs
If medication does not work, the doctor may suggest surgical intervention.
Surgery may also be desirable to people who are benefiting from medication but still find that the condition affects their quality of life.
There is no way to prevent colitis. However, a person can take steps to help manage the condition and reduce its symptoms.
These steps may include:
- not smoking
- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- avoiding carbonated drinks
- avoiding caffeine
- avoiding alcohol
- avoiding high fiber foods
- consuming lots of water
- keeping a food diary to help identify triggers
Research indicates that people who smoke are
Learn more about natural remedies for managing ulcerative colitis.
Colitis is not typically fatal. However, it is a lifelong condition that can have life threatening complications.
For example, some types of colitis — such as Crohn’s disease or UC — can increase the risk of developing colon cancer. Microscopic colitis, on the other hand,
Additionally, a person’s outlook depends on the type of colitis they have.
For example, with CMV colitis, the outcome is favorable. It can even resolve without antiviral treatment in approximately
Learn more about the potential complications of ulcerative colitis.
It is always best for a person to make a doctor aware if they believe that they have colitis. Even if medical treatment does not seem necessary, the support can be beneficial.
People should contact a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain or cramping
- bloody diarrhea
- an urgent need to have a bowel movement
- blood in the stool
- rectal bleeding
- weight loss
If a person thinks they may have acute severe UC, they need medical attention immediately.
What are the main causes of colitis?
The main causes of colitis are:
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Includes UC and Crohn’s disease.
- Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the colon.
- Medications: Certain drugs such as NSAIDs and antibiotics.
- Microscopic colitis: Includes collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis.
Does colitis ever go away?
Whether colitis goes away depends on the type and underlying cause of the condition.
Infectious and medication-induced colitis often resolves with appropriate treatment or discontinuation of the medication in question.
With treatment, a person can manage chronic conditions such as UC and Crohn’s disease to achieve remission, but they are typically lifelong conditions with the potential for flare-ups.
What happens when you have colitis?
When a person has colitis, their colon becomes inflamed, which leads to symptoms such as:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- blood in the stool
- urgency to have bowel movements
- fatigue
- sometimes fever
The severity and specific symptoms depend on the type of colitis.
Infectious colitis often includes nausea and vomiting, while chronic conditions such as UC and Crohn’s disease may cause extraintestinal symptoms such as joint pain and skin rashes.
What are the first symptoms of colitis?
The first symptoms of colitis typically include:
- Diarrhea: Often the initial and most common symptom.
- Abdominal pain and cramping: Usually felt in the lower abdomen.
- Blood in stool: Ranging from small amounts to significant bleeding.
- Urgency to have a bowel movement: A frequent and urgent need to use the bathroom.
- Fatigue: Resulting from the body’s inflammatory response and fluid loss.
- Fever: Particularly if the colitis is due to an infection.
These symptoms can appear suddenly or develop gradually, depending on the cause of the colitis.
When the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed, it is known as colitis.
This can be the result of several conditions. However, the most common type is UC.
If a person develops colitis, they are likely to experience abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, weight loss, bloody diarrhea, and an urgent need to have a bowel movement.
A person should contact a doctor if they suspect they have colitis.