Follow Healthline   |   Healthline on TwitterTwitter   |   Healthline on FacebookFacebook
Symptom Search   |   Treatment Search   |   Doctor Search   |   Drug Search

Colitis Health Article

Advertisement
Marketplace
Licensed from

Definition

Colitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large intestine (colon).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Colitis can have many different causes, including:

  • Acute and chronic infections
  • Inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis)
  • Lack of blood flow (ischemic colitis)
  • Past radiation to the large bowel

For more information about a specific type of colitis see:

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

Signs and tests

The health care provider can diagnose colitis by inserting a flexible tube into the rectum (flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and evaluating specific areas of the colon. Biopsies taken during these tests may show changes related to inflammation.

Other studies that can identify colitis include:

Treatment

Treatment is directed at the cause of disease (infection, inflammation, lack of blood flow, or another cause).

See the conditions listed above for specific recommendations.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis varies with each disease. See particular conditions listed above.

Complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms such as:

Prevention

Prevention depends upon the cause of colitis. See the specific condition.

Related Videos: (1)
Reviewer Info: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 02/20/2008
 
Healthline Tools
Explore other causes of
Gas
Blood in stool
Diarrhea
Digestive System
View all
Advertisement
Back to Top