Colitis (ko-LY-tis) is inflammation* of the internal wall of the colon*.
Colitis is one form of inflammatory bowel disease that can occur at one
point in time (acute) or continue for some time (chronic). Depending on
the type of colitis, symptoms can include diarrhea, cramps, pain, nausea,
vomiting, and bleeding or a bloody stool. Some types primarily affect
older adults; others affect all ages. Treatment varies with type; in some
cases the cause is not clear.
Ischemic (is-KEE-mik) (meaning to hold back blood) colitis occurs
when blood flow to the colon is limited, often by blood clots in the arteries
(acute) or atherosclerosis (fat deposits) in the blood vessels (chronic).
It is a common intestinal problem among those 50 or older, especially
those at risk for heart disease. If left untreated, it can damage the colon
and become life threatening. Pain is often centered on the left side of the
abdomen*.
Another type of colitis strikes adults over 60 by inflaming the collagen
(connective tissue) inside the colon wall. This condition may progress,
giving rise to an abundance of white blood cells in the colon (lymphocytic
colitis). Researchers believe these two conditions are phases of the same
disease, both caused by an overreaction of the body’s immune system. In
both, the main symptom is watery diarrhea.
People who have been treated with antibiotics for other diseases may
develop colitis caused by harmful bacteria in the intestines. Normally
present, these “bad” bacteria are usually kept in check by “good” bacteria
that have been, in this case, neutralized by the antibiotic. Common symptoms
include watery and bloody diarrhea, a high fever, pain and cramps,
and pus or mucus in the stool. It can appear a few days or several weeks
after taking antibiotics. Older people are at higher risk for antibioticassociated
colitis, and those taking antibiotics prior to surgery.
Ulcerative colitis inflames long stretches of the inner lining of the
intestines, often starting just above the rectum. It can be misdiagnosed as
Crohn’s disease*, which also causes ulcers (bleeding, open sores) but may
appear anywhere in the digestive system, not just the colon. The cause of
ulcerative colitis is not clear as of the early 2000s, but heredity (family history),
the immune system, and unintended effects of antibiotics appear to
play a role. Many researchers assert that stress can aggravate it, but does
not cause it. Studies show that individuals are at greater risk for ulcerative
colitis if they are white, live in industrial areas or northern climates, eat
processed foods, and are young, in their late 20s or 30s. Ulcerative colitis
can be acute or chronic. Some extreme cases increase the risk of colon
cancer by one-third.
