Learn About Colitis
Colitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large intestine (colon).
Most of the time, the cause of colitis is not known.
Causes of colitis include:
- Infections caused by a virus or a parasite
- Food poisoning due to bacteria
- Crohn disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Lack of blood flow to the colon (ischemic colitis)
- Past radiation to the colon (radiation colitis and strictures)
- Necrotizing enterocolitis in newborns
- Pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile infection (now called Clostridiodes difficile)
Symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain and bloating that may be constant or come and go
- Bloody stools
- Constant urge to have a bowel movement (tenesmus)
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Fever
Your treatment will depend on the cause of the disease.
New York University
David Hudesman is a Gastroenterologist in New York, New York. Dr. Hudesman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. His top areas of expertise are Hemorrhagic Proctocolitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Small Bowel Resection, and Ileostomy.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation
Andres Yarur is a Gastroenterologist in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Yarur is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. His top areas of expertise are Ulcerative Colitis, Viral Gastroenteritis, Hemorrhagic Proctocolitis, Small Bowel Resection, and Endoscopy.
Parambir Dulai is a Gastroenterologist in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Dulai has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. His top areas of expertise are Viral Gastroenteritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Hemorrhagic Proctocolitis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
The outlook depends on the cause of the problem.
- Crohn disease is a chronic condition which has no cure but can be controlled. Biologic agents are very effective in controlling symptoms of Crohn colitis.
- Ulcerative colitis can usually be controlled with medicines. If not controlled, it can be cured by surgically removing the colon.
- Viral, bacterial, and parasitic colitis can be cured with appropriate medicines.
- Pseudomembranous colitis can usually be cured with appropriate antibiotics.
Complications may include:
- Bleeding with bowel movements
- Perforation of the colon
- Toxic megacolon
- Sore (ulceration)
Contact your 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 abdomen
Summary: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and bleeding from the lining of the rectum and colon (large intestine).This study will evaluate how safe and effective risankizumab is compared to vedolizumab in treating adult participants with moderate to severe UC who are naive to targeted therapies (TaTs). Risankizumab and vedolizumab are approved medicati...
Background: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) weakens the body's defense against germs. CGD can also damage the colon. It can cause inflammation (colitis) that disrupts the good bacteria. Placing good bacteria from donor stool into the intestine of a person with CGD (called fecal microbiota transplantation, or FMT) may help.
Published Date: August 07, 2023
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ananthakrishnan AN, Regueiro MD. Management of inflammatory bowel diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 116.
Lichtenstein GR. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 127.
Pardi DS, Cotter TG. Other diseases of the colon. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 128.