Colitis - 5 Common Types Of It!

Colitis is characterized by an inflammation of the large intestine (colon). It is generally caused due to the reduced blood supply, autoimmune reactions (wherein the immune system erroneously starts attacking the body’s healthy tissues) and infections in the large intestine.

Symptoms of colitis

1. Presence of blood traces in the stool.
2. Acute colitis can itself be a symptom of hemorrhoids (inflamed and swollen veins in the anus or the rectum)
3. Tenesmus (constant urge to empty the bowels) is also quite common
4. The occurrence of abdominal pain in regular intervals, thus resulting in diarrhea
5. Constant abdominal pain
6. Fever and sudden chills throughout the day

Types of colitis

1. Infectious colitis: Caused due to certain bacterial or parasitic infections
2. Inflammatory bowel disease: This condition is characterized by inflammation of the intestines or all the parts of one’s digestive tract
3. Microscopic colitis: This involves inflammation of the large intestine (colon), resulting in a cramping sensation that can be painful
4. Ischeamic colitis - This is commonly seen in older patients.
5. Chemical colitis: This condition is caused due to prolonged exposure to certain harsh chemicals which results in intestinal swelling and inflammation

Treatment for colitis

1. Based on your condition, acetaminophen can be recommended by your doctor to ease the pain
2. The drug ‘Loperamide’ can control diarrhea. However, this should not be consumed if there is presence of blood in the stool. However, be very careful and do not take this medicine without consulting your doctor as it can have serious negative effects. 
3. Colitis reduces your appetite. Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy diet in this regard. Avoid consuming dairy products or high fiber foods because they further inflame the large intestine.
4. Colectomy (surgically removing a part of the whole of the colon) is recommended in the most severe of cases.