MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 25, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Colitis (cont.)

Microscopic colitis

There are two types of microscopic colitis, 1) collagenous colitis and 2) lymphocytic colitis. Either collagen or lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) engorge the layers of the wall of the colon, presumably a result of inflammation. This is an uncommon illness and may be an auto-immune disease. It is seen more frequently in older women. The diarrhea often is watery, but no blood is present in the stool.

What are the symptoms of colitis?

Inflammation of the colon causes the muscle layers to go into intermittent spasm and cause cramp-like pain, which is pain that comes and goes. The pain usually is in the lower abdomen. Since the muscles fail to contract in a normal pattern and the colonic contents move through the colon rapidly, there is little opportunity for water to be reabsorbed. This leads to watery diarrhea. If the lining of the colon is inflamed and breaks down, bleeding may occur.

With colitis, particularly colitis involving the distal colon (rectum and sigmoid colon), the pain often crescendos and precedes a diarrheal bowel movement. After the bowel movement, the pain may relent but then returns with the next episode of pain.

Depending upon the cause of the colitis, fever, and possibly malaise may or may not be present.

When should I contact my doctor about colitis?

Diarrhea is a common symptom, is usually self limited, and usually requires only supportive care, rest, and clear fluids until it resolves. If the diarrhea persists, diagnosis of the cause and further care may be needed.

  • Blood in the stool is never normal and should always be evaluated. The blood may be from a hemorrhoid bleed, however, other serious causes of bleeding need to be investigated. Colitis is not the only cause of rectal bleeding, other cause include diverticulitis, colon polyps, anal fissures, or cancer.

  • Chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration, and if severe enough, dehydration may require treatment with fluids. The symptoms of dehydration may include:

    • lightheadedness (dizziness) especially when going from the sitting or lying positions to the upright position,

    • weakness,

    • dry mouth, and

    • decreased output of urine.

  • High fever associated with diarrhea may be a warning sign that an significant infection is present that may need evaluation by a health care practitioner and treatment.

  • Abdominal pain is not normal, and while diarrhea may be associated with mild cramps, if a person has moderate or severe abdominal pain he or she should seek medical care.


Next: How is colitis diagnosed? »

Colitis - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with Colitis.

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 21 Viewer Comments

View Comments


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • sulfasalazine, Azulfidine - Information on the medication sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), a drug used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Creatinine Blood Test - Learn more about the creatinine blood test, a test that measures kidney function. Abnormal creatinine levels in the blood may indicate kidney disease.
  • Abdominal Pain - Learn about abdominal pain (pain in the stomach / abdomen) including causes, symptoms, how abdominal pain is diagnosed, and how abdominal pain is treated.

Latest Medical News


GI Disorders

Get the latest treatment options.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain












Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.