Erythematous mucosa is an indicator of an inflammatory digestive condition. Identifying where the inflammation is occurring can help inform diagnosis and treatment.
The membrane that
Erythematous mucosa isn’t a disease. It’s a sign that an underlying condition or irritation has caused inflammation, which has increased blood flow to the mucosa and made it red.
Doctors mainly use erythematous mucosa to describe what they find after examining your digestive tract with a lighted scope inserted through the mouth or rectum.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for erythematous mucosa.
The conditions associated with erythematous mucosa depend on the part of your digestive tract affected:
- Gastritis: in the stomach
- Colitis: in the colon
- Proctitis: in the rectum
Stomach or antrum
Gastritis usually affects the entire stomach, but sometimes it can only affect one part. Gastritis can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
There are several possible causes of gastritis, which may
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and other bacterial infections
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- alcohol
- bile reflux from the intestine
- sepsis
- autoimmune gastritis
- some health conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, portal hypertension, and sarcoidosis
- some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Colon
Your large intestine, also called your colon, connects your small intestine to your rectum. Several things may cause colitis,
- inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections
- ischemic colitis
- certain medications, such as NSAIDs, aspirin, proton pump inhibitors, and beta-blockers
- some cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy
Rectum
Your rectum is the last part of your digestive tract. It’s a tube connecting your colon to the outside of your body.
- IBDs
- radiation treatments to your rectum or prostate
- infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases and bacteria in contaminated food
- taking certain medications, such as NSAIDs
Symptoms of erythematous mucosa vary depending on where the inflammation is located.
Stomach or antrum
In many cases, gastritis doesn’t cause any symptoms. However, it
Gastritis may also cause stomach ulcers or anemia, which may cause other symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and blood in your vomit.
Colon
Symptoms of colitis may vary depending on the cause but may include:
IBDs may also cause inflammation in other parts of your body besides your colon. This may cause extra-intestinal symptoms, which may include:
- eye pain
- mouth ulcers
- painful, swollen joints
- bone problems
- skin ulcers
Rectum
Symptoms of proctitis may
- tenesmus
- frequent urge to have a bowel movement
- diarrhea
- constipation
- cramping in the rectum, lower left abdomen, or anus when you have a bowel movement
- blood, mucus, or pus in your stool
A healthcare professional will start by performing a physical examination and asking you about your medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Erythematous mucosa is usually diagnosed visually during a procedure like endoscopy.
In these procedures, a doctor uses an endoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera — to examine the inside of your digestive system.
During these procedures, a small piece of the erythematous mucosa can be removed through the scope. This sample is then examined under a microscope to diagnose the underlying cause. This is called a biopsy.
Several types of scoping examinations can be used to examine different parts of the digestive tract:
- upper endoscopy for the stomach
- colonoscopy for the rectum and colon
- sigmoidoscopy the just the end of your colon or rectum
A healthcare professional may also order other tests to look for markers of inflammation, infections, or other health conditions. These tests may include:
- blood tests
- stool culture
- imaging tests, such as CT scan or MRI
Research on the specific link between erythematous mucosa and cancer is limited.
However, some chronic conditions that cause erythematous mucosa may increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
For instance, chronic H. pylori infections and gastritis are both associated with stomach cancer.
Treatment for erythematous mucosa will depend on the underlying cause.
The first step is to stop anything causing or worsening inflammation in your digestive tract. For instance, if certain foods or medications trigger symptoms, avoiding these may help.
A healthcare professional can help develop the best treatment plan for you. This may include a combination of:
- dietary and lifestyle changes, such as exercising, relieving stress, and exercising
- supplements, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid
- medications that reduce stomach acid, such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors
- medications for infections, such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antiparasitics
- anti-inflammatory medications, such as biologics, aminosalicylates, and corticosteroids
- medications that affect your immune system, such as immunomodulators
- surgery, such as proctocolectomy
Can stress cause erythematous mucosa?
Yes,
What causes mucosal inflammation?
There are several causes for mucosal inflammation, including infections, health conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, lifestyle factors like stress and drinking alcohol, and taking certain medications.
What does it mean when tissue is described as erythematous?
Erythematous refers to tissue that is red due to inflammation.
What does abnormal mucosa in the stomach mean?
Abnormal stomach mucosa is when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. This is
The symptoms of erythematous mucosa due to inflammation can be mild or severe, and they differ depending on which part of your digestive tract is involved.
See a doctor if you experience any symptoms of gastritis, colitis, or proctitis. These may include diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, and bloating, among others.
A doctor could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.
