Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon. The colon absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food before it is eliminated from the body. It also hosts beneficial gut flora that helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the body. There are several types of colitis, including Ulcerative Colitis (UC), Crohn's Disease, microscopic colitis, ischemic colitis, and diverticulitis. UC affects the innermost lining of rectum and colon. Crohn's Disease may involve any are located within the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Microscopic colitis only affects the mucosal layer without signs on endoscopy or radiology imaging. Ischemic colitis results from inadequate blood supply to parts of the colon leading to ulcers or tissue death. Diverticulitis develops in weak areas along muscle layers called diverticula. The severity of colitis increases as the condition persists, resulting in long-term colon damage.

Causes of Colitis

Bacteria are among the most common culprits of infectious colitis. Viruses and herpes can also induce colonic inflammation in immunocompromised individuals. Parasitic infections have also been found to cause colitis. The symptoms of infectious colitis may include:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Fever
• Dehydration

Accurate diagnosis through stool cultures and other laboratory tests is essential to determine the bacteria causing infection.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue lining the digestive tract and triggers inflammation. Some people suggest that IBDs have a genetic component, with several genes linked to an increased risk of developing these disorders. However, environmental factors such as diet and stress also affect how the disease manifests.

Idiopathic colitis is when the cause of colitis cannot be identified despite extensive diagnostic testing. The condition is often classified based on the severity and extent of inflammation seen on colonoscopy or biopsy samples. Treatment for idiopathic colitis involves a combination of medications to manage symptoms.

How to Treat Colitis

The treatment for colitis typically involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. Anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants are commonly used to manage symptoms. However, these medications have potential side effects like nausea, bone loss, and infections. Patients must consult their doctors to find the most suitable therapy regimen while actively monitoring side effects.

Dietary modification can help patients to avoid trigger foods (like spicy or fatty foods). Patients should also avoid chewing gum, alcohol, and caffeine-containing products whenever possible. Maintaining appropriate hydration levels by drinking plenty of fluids alongside regular exercise can help maintain gut health. If medical treatments do not work out, surgical intervention might be necessary to remove sections affected by colitis.

Likely Complications of Colitis

People with colitis may suffer from a number of dangerous complications. Some of them include: 

• Perforation. This condition forms holes in the colon's walls, which can lead to sepsis. Perforation occurs due to severe inflammation and infection in the colon lining. The holes create weak spots within the organ, which are susceptible to tearing or rupturing. Due to frequent inflammation, individuals with chronic colitis are at higher risk for perforation.
• Toxic megacolon. This condition causes the colon to balloon out and become paralyzed. The resulting symptoms include abdominal distension, fever, rapid heart rate, dehydration, and sepsis. Diagnosis requires imaging tests that reveal the enlarged colon and other laboratory findings like high white blood cell counts. Treatment options often include hospitalization for close monitoring and intensive supportive care. Surgery may also be necessary to remove portions of the colon or rectum affected by colitis.
• Colon Cancer. Individuals with colitis have a higher risk of developing colon cancer than those without the condition due to sustained damage to intestinal cells. Long-standing cases of colitis can increase the chance of developing colon cancer by 30% or more. The severity of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are significant factors determining an individual's risk for colon cancer. These conditions can lead to mutations in DNA, promoting abnormal growth and division of cells in the colon.