Colitis, << koh LY tihs, >> is a disease involving inflammation of the colon or other parts of the large intestine. There are three main types of colitis: (1) inflammatory colitis, (2) amebic colitis, and (3) mucous colitis.
Inflammatory colitis usually occurs in people from 20 to 40 years old. Physicians do not know what causes the disease, but many believe that nervous tension and other psychological factors may make the illness worse. The patient suffers severe diarrhea, often accompanied by fever and rectal bleeding, particularly in a type of inflammatory colitis called ulcerative colitis. As ulcerative colitis progresses, ulcers develop in the lining of the colon and cause scarring. Drugs often help reduce the inflammation, but surgical removal of the colon may be required in extremely severe attacks. A prolonged case of ulcerative colitis greatly increases the possibility of getting cancer of the colon. Many doctors recommend surgery for patients who have had the disease for more than 10 years.
Amebic colitis results from consuming food or water contaminated by a certain type of parasitic ameba. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Deep ulcers may form in the colon and may even perforate it, causing peritonitis (see Peritonitis ). Physicians treat the disease with drugs, and surgery is not necessary in most cases unless perforation occurs.
Mucous colitis, also called spastic colon, is caused by spasms of the muscles in the wall of the colon. The patient may have severe cramps, and the feces may contain mucus–but no blood. Physicians use certain drugs and diets to relieve the symptoms.
