Colitis Symptoms: Recognizing Colon Inflammation

Colitis denotes inflammation of the colon. Causes include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s colitis, infectious (C. difficile, Salmonella, Shigella), ischemic, microscopic, and radiation colitis. Shared symptoms:

• Abdominal pain/cramping (often left lower quadrant)
• Diarrhea (may be bloody, mucoid)
• Urgency, tenesmus (incomplete evacuation sensation)
• Rectal bleeding
• Fatigue, weight loss
• Fever (infectious, flare)
• Nausea/vomiting (if severe)

Complications

• Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance
• Toxic megacolon (fulminant UC/C. diff)
• Perforation, sepsis
• Colorectal cancer risk (long-standing UC)

When to See a Doctor

li>Blood in stool
• Diarrhea >2 days (adults) / 24 hrs (children/elderly)
• High fever, severe pain, signs of dehydration
• Known IBD with flare symptoms

Diagnosis: history, labs (CBC, CRP, stool studies), colonoscopy with biopsy. Treatment targets etiology.