Colitis

Large intestine

The large intestine (colon) absorbs most of the fluid from foods.

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, including food poisoning
  • Inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • 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 will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, including:

  • How long you have had the symptoms
  • How severe your pain is
  • How often it occurs
  • How long it lasts
  • How often you have diarrhea
  • Whether you have been traveling

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:

  • Abdominal pain that does not get better
  • Blood in the stool or stools that look black
  • Diarrhea or vomiting that does not go away
  • Swollen (distended) abdomen

Prevention

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

See also:

  • Disease

    Toxic megacolon

    Digestive system

    Toxic megacolon is a life-threatening complication of other intestinal conditions that causes rapid widening (dilation) of the large intestine within 1 to a few days.

  • Disease

    Pseudomembranous colitis

    Digestive system

    Pseudomembranous colitis is infection of the large intestine (colon) with an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacteria.

  • Disease

    Ischemic colitis

    Digestive system

    Ischemic colitis is a sudden swelling (inflammation) of part of the large intestine (colon) that occurs when there is a temporary loss of, or reduction in, blood flow to the colon.

  • Disease

    Ulcerative colitis

    Colonoscopy

    Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. See also:

  • Disease

    Crohn's disease

    Digestive system

    Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It usually affects the intestines, but may occur anywhere from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus). See also:

  • Disease

    Necrotizing enterocolitis

    Infant intestines

    Necrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. It primarily affects premature infants or sick newborns.

  • Disease

    Cryptosporidium enteritis

    Digestive system organs

    Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with the parasite Cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea.

Review date:
October 13, 2009
Reviewed by:
George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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