Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 5/25/2020
Doctor's Notes on Common Causes of Colitis
Colitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the large intestine (large bowel or colon). There are a number of different causes of colitis. Some types of colitis include
- infectious colitis,
- inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease),
- microscopic colitis, and
- ischemic colitis, in which tissue death occurs due to a reduction in blood supply to the colon.
Symptoms of colitis arise due to the inflammation present in the bowel wall. Signs and symptoms include
- abdominal pain,
- abdominal cramping,
- diarrhea, and
- blood in the stool (either visible to the naked eye or detected by a laboratory test).
Depending on the cause of the colitis, other symptoms can occur. Associated signs and symptoms can include
- fever,
- chills,
- fatigue,
- canker sores,
- ulcers at other sites in the gastrointestinal tract,
- dehydration,
- joint pain and swelling, and
- inflammation of the eyes.
Ulcerative Colitis : Diet, Symptoms & Treatment Quiz
QuestionUlcerative colitis affects the colon. The colon is also referred to as the...
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Abdominal Pain (Adults)
Abdominal pain in adults can range from a mild stomach ache to severe pain. Examples of causes of abdominal pain in adults include appendicitis, gallbladder disease, gastric ulcers, pancreatitis, heart attack, kidney stones, diverticulitis, shingles, spider bites, and more. Information about when to seek medical care for abdominal pain is also provided. -
Barium Enema
A barium enema is a diagnostic test that us performed to examine the colon and rectum for abnormalities. Barium enema may be ordered for a patient to identify inflammation of the intestinal wall, diverituli, narrowed areas of the bowel, polyps,and cancer. Risks of barium enema include low potassium levels, dehydration, constipation, and rarely rectal bleeding. -
Clostridium Difficile (C. difficile)
Clostridium difficile (or C. difficile, C. diff) colitis is an infection of the colon. C. diff infection is most commonly associated with antibiotic use. Another common name is pseudomembranous colitis. C. diff bacteria is commonly found on items such as floors, bedpans, phones, and fingernails, etc. C. diff infection causes are use of certain antibiotics. Risk factors for C. diff infection include hospitalization, age, and chronic medical conditions. Treatment is generally with another antibiotic. -
Colonoscopy Procedure
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to view the inside of the colon. Reasons for colonoscopy is to detect or diagnose diseases of the colon, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, other types of colitis, colon polyps, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and other bowel and rectal diseases. Risks for colonoscopy include colon perforation, infection, or bleeding. -
Crohn's Disease (Crohn)
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is a chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bloating, and infections of the urinary tract and vagina. Treatment for Crohn's disease includes lifestyle changes in diet, medication, and surgery. -
Crohn's Disease Diet (Triggers and Soothing Foods)
People with Crohn's disease have many challenges, particularly their dietary and nutritional needs. Some foods may aggravate symptoms, while other foods may not cause problems. Malnutrition is a concern with people with Crohn's disease. Foods that may aggravate symptoms include high fiber foods like popcorn, nuts, and vegetables, alcohol, milk and other dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and fried foods. Often, a parenteral nutrition (TPN) or elemental diet may be recommended to reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease. -
Crohn's Disease FAQs
Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is a chronic condition that is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and fever. Treatment options include diet changes, medication, and surgery. The prognosis for Crohn's disease depends on the patient and the areas affected by Crohn's disease. -
Crohn's Disease: Living With Crohn's Disease
Living with Crohn's disease can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. Crohn's disease is not curable, but there are a variety of things that can improve the quality-of-life for people with the disease, for example, medications, lifestyle changes, diet, and surgery. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic GI disorder of unknown cause. The most common symptoms of IBS include bloating, gas, abdominal pain and cramping, and constipation and diarrhea. New antibody blood tests may help identify some types of irritable bowel syndrome, for example, IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea) and IBS-M (irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea and constipation). IBS treatment is accomplished with OTC and prescription medication, diet, and lifestyle changes. -
Proctitis
Proctitis is an inflammation of the anus rectal lining. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, spasms during bowel movements, a feeling of being unable to empty the bowels completely. Treatment includes safe sex practices and antibiotics. -
Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites. -
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC include medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.