Colitis Overview

Definition

Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine (colon).

Symptoms

Symptoms can include abdominal pain , diarrhea , dehydration , abdominal bloating , increased intestinal gas, and bloody stools .

Causes

Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine that can be caused by many different disease processes. These processes include acute and chronic infections, inflammatory disorders (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's colitis, lymphocytic and collagenous colitis), lack of blood flow (ischemic colitis), and history of radiation to the large bowel.

For more information about a specific type of colitis see:

• Pseudomembranous colitis
• Crohn's disease (regional enteritis)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Ischemic colitis