What Is Collagenous Colitis?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Collagenous colitis is a type of bowel inflammation that affects the
colon (large intestine). Collagenous colitis is not related to
Crohn's disease or
ulcerative colitis, which are more severe forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Also, collagenous colitis does not increase the risk of
colon cancer.
Collagenous colitis and another type of colitis, called
lymphocytic colitis, are referred to as
microscopic colitis because
colonoscopy usually shows no signs of inflammation on the surface of the colon. Instead, tissue samples from the colon must be examined under a microscope to make the diagnosis.
Cause of Collagenous Colitis
No precise cause of this disorder has been found. Possible causes of damage to colon's lining include:
- Bacteria and their toxins
- Viruses
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Some researchers have suggested that collagenous colitis results from an autoimmune response, meaning that the body's immune system is destroying cells for no apparent reason.
Symptoms of Collagenous Colitis
Collagenous colitis symptoms can include:
- Chronic watery diarrhea that isn't bloody -- the diarrhea may be continuous or come in episodes
- Abdominal pain or cramps may also be present.
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