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Whether it’s a dull ache, sharp cramp or persistent discomfort, most of us have experienced some degree of stomach pain throughout our lives. While something as mild as indigestion, gas, bloating or anxiety about an upcoming test or public speech can all cause varying degrees of tummy troubles, there are sometimes more serious medical issues to blame.
Ulcers, IBS, kidney stones and even appendicitis are all well-known causes of at times severe stomach cramping or pain. Colitis is another medical condition that can be behind intestinal discomfort, though it’s generally less well known than other causes.
Here’s what colitis is, what leads to it and how the condition is most commonly treated.
What is colitis?
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon, also known as the large intestine. This inflammation is characterized by “swelling, irritation or damage to the colon’s inner lining,” says Dr. Alison Mitzner, a board-certified pediatrician in New York City.
Inflammation in this part of the body can lead to abdominal pain and cramping, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, blood in the stool, nausea and an urgent need to go to the bathroom. Food passing through the colon is the body’s last stage of digestion, she explains.
Different forms of the condition can “vary in severity, but colitis is especially concerning when it becomes chronic,” says Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. In chronic cases, colitis can cause anemia, dehydration, fever and weight loss.
Chronic colitis “can also raise the risk of colon cancer and other inflammatory diseases and can lead to serious medical complications like colon perforation,” he says, which is where a hole forms in the colon wall. Toxic megacolon can also occur, which is “a dangerous condition where the colon swells and stops functioning properly,” Nagata explains. He adds that colitis can be particularly worrisome in children “because it may delay growth and development.”
What is the main cause of colitis?
Any inflammation in the body, including in the colon, occurs as a response to an infection or injury. The various types of colitis are thus categorized around what causes inflammation in the colon to occur.
- Infectious colitis is commonly caused by food poisoning-related bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. Infectious colitis is the most common type of colitis “and impacts millions of people worldwide each year,” says Mitzner.
- Radiation colitis is caused by radiation therapy and is more common among cancer patients, says Nagata.
- Parasitic colitis is caused by parasitic organisms associated with cryptosporidium, amoeba or giardia. Worms (called helminths) like trichuris and strongyloides can also be behind parasitic colitis.
- Allergic colitis is caused by food intolerances and can affect anyone but is most common among breastfeeding babies experiencing lactose intolerance, explains Nagata.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases include a group of chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that may include inflammation of the colon as one of their many symptoms.
Does colitis go away?
The cause and type of colitis determines the degree of medical attention that is needed. “Some types of colitis, like those from infections, can be short-lived and treatable,” says Mitzner. The most common form of treatment is a round of antibiotics. Sometimes infectious colitis even resolves on its own with rest and hydration.
Chronic forms of colitis, on the other hand, “can be more serious when left untreated and can lead to serious complications,” Mitzner explains. Common treatments for chronic colitis include anti-inflammatory medications, immune-suppressing drugs, newer treatments like biologics “and dietary changes can also be helpful as some people benefit from low-fiber foods or customized nutrition plans,” says Nagata. “In more severe cases, especially if there’s damage to the colon, surgery may be needed,” he adds.
Not every case of colitis “requires an immediate trip to the doctor,” Nagata explains, “but if you or your child has ongoing belly pain, blood in the stool, diarrhea that doesn’t go away or a fever that lasts more than a couple of days, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.”
