Colitis

• Colitis Overview
• Colitis Causes
• Colitis Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Colitis Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Other Therapy
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related Colitis articles:
  Colitis - on WebMD
  Ulcerative Colitis - on MedicineNet

Colitis Overview

Colitis (also called ulcerative colitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the colon—your large intestine or bowel. Colitis causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, called the ileum.

The inflammation makes the colon empty frequently, causing diarrhea. Ulcers form in places where the inflammation has killed colon lining cells. The ulcers bleed and produce pus and mucus. You may have abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, painful spasms (tenesmus), lack of appetite, fever, and fatigue.

• Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines.
  
  
  • Ulcerative colitis can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called Crohn disease (also called Crohn's disease).
    
    
  • Crohn disease differs from ulcerative colitis because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall. Crohn disease usually occurs in the small intestine, but it can also occur in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, appendix, and anus. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon.
    
    
  • Another confusing condition called irritable bowel syndrome is not like either ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder of the intestine that leads to cramps, excessive production of gas, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
  
  
• Up to 2 million people in the US are estimated to have either ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. Ulcerative colitis is generally found in younger people, before they reach age 30. But the disease can occur in people in their 60s and later in life. It affects both men and women equally and tends to run in families. Jewish people tend to have more incidence of ulcerative colitis than non-Jewish people.