Colitis Disease

What Is Colitis Disease?

Colitis disease, often simply known as colitis, is a generic word doctors use to describe inflammation in the colon.

There are a variety of causes of colitis disease and several types or variations. Typical causes of colitis disease include illnesses, infections, obstructions or blockages in the blood supply to the colon, and autoimmune reactions within your own body.

The best known type is ulcerative colitis. which occurs when ulcers develop in various parts of the colon. Ulcerartive colitis is often a form of chronic colitis.

There are several variations of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative proctitis The rectum and lower part of the colon become inflamed.

Pancolitis The entire colon is inflamed - right colon, left colon, transverse colon and the rectum.

Limited or distal colitis This is type of colitis disease in which only the left side of the colon is affected.

Infectious colitis disease is different from forms of ulcerative colitis. Infectious colitis occurs due to viruses and bacteria. This type is generally a form of food poisoning. Bloody diarrhea and dehydrationoften occur with this type, which is considered to be a form of acute colitis.

The bacteria Clostridium difficile (also known as C. difficile or C. diff) causes pseudomembranous colitis. Individuals who have recently been taking antibiotics for an infection are most likely to get this type. The antibiotic kills the bacteria that normally resides in the digestive tract, allowing C. diff to grow in abnormal numbers. C diff produces a toxin that causes diarrhea. Diarrhea is usually not bloody. Fevere is another symptom of pseudomembranous colitis.

Ischemic colitis disease occurs when part of your colon becomes enlarged and inflamed because of a blockage or obstruction in the blood supply to the colon.

Usually, the ischemic colitis type of colitis disease affects the left side of the colon, but any part can be affected. The most common symptom of colitis of this type is abdominal pain. Most cases of ischemic colitis are mild and cure themselves quickly, but sometimes permanent colon damage is possible.

Chemical colitis is often the result of complications from an enema, when chemicals are forced into the colon. These chemicals sometimes cause the inflammation of the mucosal lining of the colon.

Sigmoid colitis is also known as proctosigmoiditis. It occurs whenulcerative colitis affects the rectum and the sigmoid colon. Signs and symptoms of sigmoid colitis include left side abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, cramps and pain in the rectal area.

Symptoms of colitis may vary somewhat from one type to another. But generally speaking, if you experience any of the following, or combinations, there's a good chance you have colitis.

• Diarrhea is common but not may not happen in every case.
• Bloody bowel movements may or may not occur.
• A constant feeling that you have to make a bowel movement (this is known as tenesmus), often accompanied by discomfort or cramping.
• Abdominal pain may come in waves, followed by diarrhea, followed by a period of calm. But in some cases, abdominal pain may be constant.
• Fever, chills, and other typical symptoms of infection and inflammation may or may not occur.

Also see our articles on ulcerative colitis medications and new ulcerative colitis treatments.

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