colit

Colitis is inflammation of the colon. The term encompasses several conditions that share colonic inflammation and may vary in cause, course, and treatment. It can be acute or chronic and may affect different regions of the colon.

Common causes and types include infectious colitis (bacterial, viral, or parasitic pathogens), inflammatory bowel disease-associated colitis such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease with colonic involvement, ischemic colitis due to reduced blood flow, microscopic colitis (lymphocytic or collagenous colitis) causing chronic watery diarrhea, radiation colitis after pelvic radiotherapy, and medication-induced colitis (for example from NSAIDs or antibiotics).

Symptoms typically include diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, urgency, and sometimes fever or blood in the stool. Diagnosis relies on medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests (stool studies, blood counts, inflammatory markers), and colonoscopy with biopsy. Imaging may be used to assess complications or extraluminal disease.

Treatment depends on the cause. Supportive care includes hydration and electrolyte management. Infectious colitis may require targeted antibiotics or antiparasitics. Inflammatory colitis often uses aminosalicylates, corticosteroids for flares, and immunosuppressants or biologics for maintenance. Ischemic colitis is managed by addressing vascular risk and perfusion. Microscopic colitis usually responds to budesonide. Severe disease or complications may require surgery. Long-standing colitis raises colorectal cancer risk, necessitating regular surveillance.