Colitis Overview
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.
Bass Medical Group
Salim Shelby is a Gastroenterologist in Walnut Creek, California. Dr. Shelby and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. His top areas of expertise are Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Familial Colorectal Cancer, Gastrectomy, and Colonoscopy.
John Muir Physician Network
Kanwar Gill is a Gastroenterologist in Walnut Creek, California. Dr. Gill and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. His top areas of expertise are Angiodysplasia of the Colon, Diverticular Disease, Watermelon Stomach, Colonoscopy, and Gastrectomy.
Yi Zheng is a Gastroenterologist in Walnut Creek, California. Dr. Zheng and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Colitis. Her top areas of expertise are Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Hemorrhoids, Gas Bloat Syndrome, and Visceromegaly.
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: The main aim of this study is to learn how the body of a child or teenager with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) processes vedolizumab (pharmacokinetics) given just under the skin subcutaneously (SC). The participants will be treated with vedolizumab for up to 34 weeks. During the study, participants will visit their study clinic several times.
Summary: This study is designed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of mirikizumab in participants with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). The study will last up to 3 years. Participants who complete the 3-year study may continue to receive mirikizumab until it is (outside of this study) in their country or until they meet other discontinuation criteria.
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.