Facts About Colitis

Colitis is a condition in which your colon, also known as your large intestine, becomes inflamed. Your abdomen will be uncomfortable and painful if you have colitis. This discomfort can be modest and recurrent over time, or severe, and appear all of a sudden.

Colitis comes in various forms, and therapy differs based on which one you have.

Causes and Types of Colitis

The causes of colitis are used to classify the different forms of colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a malady in which the intestines become inflamed

Irritable bowel disease (IBD) is divided into two categories: ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease is the other.

UC is a chronic infirmity that produces inflammation and bleeding ulcers in the large intestine’s inner lining. It usually starts in the rectum and then moves to the colon.

The most prevalent kind of colitis is ulcerative colitis (UC). It appears when the immune system overreacts to bacteria and other things in the gastrointestinal tract, but researchers aren’t sure why.

The following are examples of UC:

• The lower region of the colon and rectum are affected by proctosigmoiditis.
• Left-sided ulcerative colitis starts from the rectum and affects the left side of the colon.
• Pancolitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that involves the entire large intestine.

Pseudomembranous Colitis

Overgrowth of the bacterium Clostridium difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis (PC) (C. diff). This type of bacteria is found in the intestine, but it does not create problems because it is balanced by “good” bacteria.

Certain drugs, particularly antibiotics, have the potential to kill beneficial microorganisms. This permits C. diff to take control and release inflammatory chemicals.

Ischemic Colitis

When blood course to the colon is suddenly cut off or reduced, ischemic colitis (IC) develops. An abrupt blockage might be caused by blood clots. The most common reason for IC recurrence is atherosclerosis or the accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood arteries that supply the colon.

Vasculitis is a blood vessel inflammatory illness. Underlying problems are frequently the cause of this type of colitis. These may include the following:

• diabetes
• colon carcinoma
• dehydration
• a loss of blood
• failure of the heart
• hinder or obstruct
• injury or adversity

IC can develop as a side effect of certain medications, such as fibrates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, it’s uncommon (NSAIDs). More research is needed to fully comprehend all drugs’ potentially significant components.

Colitis on a Microscopic Scale

Microscopic colitis is a medical disorder that can only be diagnosed by examining a colon tissue sample under a microscope. Lymphocytes, a form of white blood cells, are one of the symptoms of inflammation that a doctor will look for.

Doctors sometimes divide microscopic colitis into two kinds: lymphocytic and collagenous colitis.

When a doctor finds a large number of lymphocytes, it’s called lymphocytic colitis. The tissues and lining of the colon, on the other hand, are not abnormally thickened.

Collagenous colitis develops when a buildup of collagen beneath the outermost layer of tissue causes the colon’s lining to thicken more than usual.

The precise etiology of microscopic colitis is unknown to doctors. However, they are aware that some people are more susceptible to the disease. The following people are at a higher risk:

• smokers who are currently smoking
• people who were born with a female gender
• persons who have had an autoimmune illness in the past
• individuals beyond the age of 50

people who are taking specific drugs, such as:

• Inhibition of the proton pump (PPIs)
• inhibitors of selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs)
• Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)

The following are the most prevalent symptoms of microscopic colitis:

• chronic diarrhea with a lot of water
• bloating in the abdomen
• stomach ache

Infants with Allergic Colitis

Allergic colitis is a disorder that affects newborns and usually develops within the first few months of life. In babies, the disease can cause symptoms such as:

• reflux
• spitting excessively
• fussiness
• Blood specks in a baby’s stool are a possibility

The specific etiology of allergic colitis is unknown to doctors. One of the most prevalent interpretations is that particular components in breast milk cause allergic or hypersensitive reactions in newborns with allergic colitis. According to a survey of studies published in 2020, a protein allergy caused by breast milk, cow’s milk, or formula could be a factor.

Eosinophilic colitis is allergic colitis that can appear in newborns with these symptoms. Its cause is also unknown. However, it’s most likely linked to a protein allergy.

Doctors frequently advise the birthing parent to follow an elimination diet, which gradually eliminates foods linked to allergic colitis. Cow’s milk, eggs, and wheat are just a few examples. If the baby’s allergic colitis symptoms go away, these foods were likely the source of the problem.

Monoclonal antibodies, such as those used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), may also be a therapy option in severe cases.

There are be other reasons.

Other colitis causes include parasitic infection, viral infection, and bacterial food poisoning. If your large intestine has been handled with radiation, you may get the disease.

Who is at Risk of Developing Colitis?

Each form of colitis is linked to a different set of risk factors.

You’re more likely to develop UC if you:

• are within the ages of 15 and 30 (the most common) or 60 and 80 (the second most common)
• are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry or are white
• have a family member who suffers from UC

If you do any of the following, you’re more likely to contract PC:

• are taking antibiotics for a long time
• are in the hospital
• are being treated with chemotherapy
• are on immunosuppressive medications
• are more mature
• having used a computer before

You’re more likely to develop IC if you:

• are over the age of 50
• are at a high chance of contracting heart disease or already have it
• have a cardiac condition
• have a low blood pressure reading
• having undergone abdominal surgery

Symptoms of Colitis

You may actually have one or more of the following symptoms, depending on your condition:

• abdominal cramps or pain
• bloating in the stomach
• unexpected weight loss
• bloody or non-bloody diarrhea
• you have blood in your stool
• You have an immediate need to move your bowels
• Fever or chills
• vomiting

Diagnosis of Colitis

A doctor may inquire about the frequency of your symptoms and when they began. The doctor will do a comprehensive physical examination and order diagnostic tests such as:

• Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a camera attached to a flexible tube is threaded through the anus to observe the rectum and colon.
• The rectum and lower colon are only seen during sigmoidoscopy, similar to a colonoscopy.
• samples of feces
• MRI or CT scans of the abdomen are examples of abdominal imaging.

Depending on the area being scanned, ultrasonography can be beneficial.

An X-ray of the colon right after it has been injected with barium, which helps make images more visible, is known as a barium enema.

Treatment of Colitis

Treatments are designed to alleviate symptoms and might vary depending on several factors, including:

• the kind of colitis
• age
• physical state in general

Rest for the bowels

Limiting your oral intake, especially if you have IC, can benefit you. During this time, intravenous fluids and other nourishment may be required.

Medication for Colitis

To assist control colitis symptoms, your doctor may prescribe various drugs. Medications that may be used include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as 5-aminosalicylates or corticosteroids are used to relieve swelling and pain.
• Tofacitinib (Xeljanz), azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), or cyclosporine are immune system suppressors (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and ustekinumab are examples of biologics (Stelara)
• antibiotics for the treatment of infection
• pain relievers
• anti-diarrhea medicines
• antispasmodic medications
• nutritional deficiency supplements

Surgery

Part or all of your rectum or colon may be removed during surgery for colitis. If other therapies fail, this may be necessary. The following procedures may be performed:

• The ileum (the tail-end of the small intestine) is transformed into a pouch that links to the anal canal in an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA).
• The colon (and sometimes the rectum) is removed during a proctocolectomy.
• The ileum is appended to the abdominal wall, and a stoma (a hole in the belly) is produced to allow waste to exit the body.
• The end of the ileum is fixed inside the interior of the belly in a continent ileostomy. This is a surgical technique for colitis that is possible but not common.

Prevention of Colitis

Surgery is the only surefire approach to prevent a flare-up of colitis. If you don’t want to have surgery, there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of flare-ups:

• Keep a food diary to understand the foods that trigger a flare-up of symptoms.
• Consult your doctor to see if you should increase your fiber intake and how much.
• Consult your doctor to see if eating smaller, more often meals can benefit you.
• If you can, increase your level of activity.
• Learn stress-relieving techniques like meditation, yoga, and mindfulness exercises.
• Always follow your doctor’s instructions and notify them if you haven’t.
• Make sure your doctor is conscious of any other medications or supplements you take, including vitamins.
• Before altering your diet or adding any new supplements, always with your doctor.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

While everyone gets diarrhea and intestinal cramps from time to time, you should consult a doctor if you have diarrhea that does not appear to be related to an infection, fever, or any known contaminated foods.

Other warning signs indicating it’s time to contact a doctor include:

• joint discomfort
• rashes with no apparent etiology
• a little quantity of blood in your feces, such as a stool that is slightly red-streaked
• stomach discomfort that doesn’t seem to go away
• weight loss that isn’t explained

If you discern a substantial amount of blood in your stool, seek medical help right once.

Early discovery is crucial in all situations for recovery. Other significant problems may be avoided if the condition is detected early.

It’s recommended to consult a doctor if you suspect something is wrong with your stomach. It is important to pay rapt attention to your body to stay healthy.