In the U.S., an estimated 3 million people suffer from some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of those forms of IBD.
Colitis can be a lifelong condition if it’s chronic, or acute (short term) if it’s the result of an infection. Colitis can be treated in a variety of ways, and even if you have chronic colitis, you can usually manage symptoms successfully.
Keep reading to learn what colitis is, what the different types are and its causes. We’ll also go over treatment options and things you can do at home to manage the symptoms you may be experiencing, so you can focus on the things you love.
What is colitis?
Colitis is the general term for inflammation of the colon. It can be painful and disruptive to your everyday life, but with treatment focused on the cause of the colitis, you can help minimize symptoms and the role colitis plays in your health.
Symptoms of colitis
When your colon is inflamed, you can feel and see the symptoms. Symptoms of colitis include:
- Blood in stool
- Diarrhea
- Feeling like you need to have a bowel movement
- Inability to have a bowel movement even when you feel you need to
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Losing weight
- Fever
- Fatigue
While colitis can go away on its own in some cases, it’s better to treat the underlying cause of the disease. This helps you avoid it in the future and helps your body recover faster.
Causes of colitis
There are three main causes of colitis:
- Infection
- IBD, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
- Ischemic, which is decreased blood flow to the colon that may be due to dehydration, medications or clots blocking blood flow to and from the colon
Babies can experience colitis as an allergic reaction to certain proteins in either breast milk or formula. Cow’s milk protein and soy protein are common triggers for this type of colitis. Although they can’t tell you how they’re feeling, their symptoms will be similar to those of an adult experiencing colitis.
Additionally, radiation to the colon can cause colitis. This is primarily a concern for people who are undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.
Medication is available for colitis treatment
Medications like anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants and antibiotics can help manage colitis symptoms. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce painful inflammation in the colon, while immunosuppressants prevent your immune system from attacking healthy tissue and causing inflammation.
Antibiotics work particularly well for colitis when it’s caused by some types of infections. Antibiotics kill and stop bacteria in your digestive system. They can also change the number of bacteria in your gut and reduce the inflammation that’s causing your symptoms. However, most infectious colitis is caused by viruses not bacteria, which means antibiotics aren’t a treatment option.
Types of colitis
There are several types of colitis, which are caused by different factors, and treatment is not the same for all of them. Types of colitis include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis) impacts the colon and rectum. This type of colitis can be readily seen during colonoscopy and under a microscope.
- Microscopic colitis is usually associated with chronic diarrhea and can be caused by inflammation on the inner lining of the colon. This type of colitis looks normal during a colonoscopy. But when looked at under a microscope, biopsied tissue taken during the procedure can show inflammation.
- Ischemic colitis is caused when there’s restricted blood flow to the colon as the result of blood clots, medications, dehydration or other factors.
- Infectious colitis is inflammation that occurs due to an infection that can be either from a virus or bacteria. Although most cases are short lived and resolve on their own without antibiotics or antiviral medication, some infections can cause more chronic symptoms.
- Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis happens when babies are allergic to proteins that can be found in breast milk and formula. Cow’s milk and soy are the most common triggers.
- Radiation colitis is inflammation in the colon as a result of recent or past radiation treatment for cancer.
The difference between colitis and ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is the most common type of IBD. It’s a chronic form of colitis, specifically due to an autoimmune disorder.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Frequent loose bowels
- Rectal bleeding
- Constipation
- Sudden loss of weight
- Fatigue
- Fever
Ulcerative colitis can also cause pain, including:
- Stomach pain and cramping
- Rectal pain
- Joint pain
Causes of ulcerative colitis
UC is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the immune system becomes confused and thinks the colon is a foreign invader, prompting the immune system to attack and damage the colon. There appears to be a genetic role as the risk of ulcerative colitis is higher in people who have a family member with either ulcerative colitis or another autoimmune disorder.
While genetics play a role, it does not completely account for the development of UC. There are studies that suggest that exposure (or lack of exposure) to viruses and bacteria may make you more likely to develop an autoimmune disorder such as UC in genetically susceptible people. Doctors are still researching the exact causes of ulcerative colitis, but these factors appear to have the biggest role.
Diagnosing ulcerative colitis
If your doctor thinks you may have ulcerative colitis, they have several ways of diagnosing it. They will likely start with a blood test to look for signs of inflammation or anemia. Stool testing is another option and ensures your symptoms aren’t caused by infection.
The next step is a colonoscopy to get visual information on your colon and to take samples of your colon tissue, if necessary. MRI or CT scans can also help doctors get additional information, such as determining the level of inflammation or if there’s a puncture in your colon.
It’s important to treat ulcerative colitis. If left untreated, it can lead to complications. Severe dehydration can occur, your colon may become punctured or it can lead to increased risk of colon cancer.
Medication
Medicine for ulcerative colitis helps reduce the inflammation and support remission. There are two types of remission: Clinical remission is when you don’t have symptoms of ulcerative colitis for a period of time. Endoscopic remission is when the colon looks normal again during a colonoscopy.
Types of UC medicine include oral pills, rectal medications (enemas, suppositories), injectable medications and infusions. The medicines may have an anti-inflammatory effect to reduce inflammation or may suppress the immune system to avoid further damage to your colon.
Surgery
Surgery may be the best option in cases of severe ulcerative colitis. Types of surgeries include:
- Ileoanal anastomosis: A procedure where the large intestine is removed and the small intestine is connected to the anus
- Proctocolectomy: Surgery to remove the colon and rectum
- Colectomy: The removal of part or all of the colon
Only about 10% of ulcerative colitis patients need surgery. Most people have success in treating it with medication.
Diet
Contrary to popular belief, there is no diet approved for the treatment of UC. Studies of certain types of anti-inflammatory diets show that they do not reduce IBD inflammation and therefore are not recommended as a primary form of treatment. But an anti-inflammatory diet may help with symptom control and can be used along with medications prescribed by your doctor.
However, if you are experiencing a flare-up of colitis, you may find that a low fiber diet helps minimize pain and discomfort.
Living with colitis and ulcerative colitis
Colitis doesn’t have to rule your life. If you’re experiencing digestive problems or pain, don’t wait. There is help and treatment for colitis and ulcerative colitis so that you can get back to the things you enjoy.
If you suspect you have colitis or other digestive issues, start with your primary care doctor. They can refer you to a digestive health specialist if necessary.
