Colitis is an inflammation of the large, or lower intestine. Causes for the inflammation can vary widely, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. The inflammation can appear as a sudden (acute), a one-time event, or be part of a long-term, even life-long (chronic), disease. While colitis in and of itself is not usually life-threatening, it can be part of a larger disorder that requires medical care.
Function of a Healthy Colon
The colon is the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, which runs from the mouth to the anus. It is located below the small intestine, where the majority of digestion takes place, and just above the rectum. In adults, the colon is approximately 5 feet long and 3 inches in diameter, and its main function is to remove water and minerals from food waste prior to elimination.
Causes of Colitis
Occasionally, something goes wrong in the colon that triggers an inflammatory response from the immune system. Common triggers include viral, bacterial or parasitic invasions, such as those that cause food poisoning. Other causes are more serious and can be chronic, such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, which are considered Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Because these and other diseases of the colon require long-term care and because their symptoms are so similar, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms are recurring, severe, or if they last for more than a couple of days.
Some causes of colitis can be life-threatening, as in the case of a ruptured bowel, and immediate medical attention is necessary.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of colitis vary from person to person, by cause and in severity. Symptoms include: abdominal pain or cramping, swollen (distended) abdomen, loose stools, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), constipation, nausea, lower back pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, anemia or unexplained fever.
Diagnosis
To determine the cause of colitis, doctors take a history of symptoms. Oftentimes, a stool sample will be necessary in order to determine if the cause is parasitic, viral or bacterial. Blood tests may be required to rule out infection. Mayo Clinic includes the following additional tests that may be performed:
Flexible sigmoidoscopy: A thin, flexible scope with a light and camera attached are inserted into the rectum and lower colon so that the doctor can determine the extent of the inflammation.
Colonoscopy: similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but the entire colon is viewed. Small tissue samples (biopsies) may be taken.
Barium enema X-ray: Barium acts as a contrast dye during an X-ray, allowing the doctor to view the outline of the colon and rectum.
X-ray: A simple X-ray may be taken to rule out mega-colon or a perforated colon.
CT scan: A CT scan may be performed to rule out a number of causes.
Treatment
Treatment varies depending upon the cause of the inflammation. A one-time event caused by food poisoning will be treated much differently than a life-long disease. In the case of Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, medication is often prescribed to lessen the severity of the symptoms and to increase the time between flares-ups. In some cases, surgery becomes an option or even a necessity. Regardless, treatment options should be discussed with your doctor. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) offers a search option on its website where local gastroenterologists can be found.
