Definition
Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine
(colon).
Causes
Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine that
can be caused by many different disease processes.
These processes include acute and chronic infections,
inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's
colitis, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis), lack of
blood flow (ischemic colitis), and history of
radiation to the large bowel.
Symptoms
Diarrhea
Lower abdominal cramps
Abdominal tenderness
Fever, lethargy, heart racing,
and severe abdominal pain in severe infections
Screening and
Diagnostics
Sigmoidoscopy with
biopsy for severe cases (to make immediate
diagnosis)
X-Rays
in severe cases to rule out severe colon dilation (megacolon)
Treatment
Prognosis
The
prognosis varies with each disease.
Complications
Colitis
may result in bleeding, ulceration, perforation (a
hole in the colon), or toxic megacolon.
Prevention
Prevention
depends upon the underlying cause of colitis.
