How can someone get colitis?
Colitis can have various causes, including:- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD): Conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation and damage to the colon and other parts of the digestive system.
- Infectious colitis: Certain infections, such as bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridium difficile) and viral infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus), can cause colitis by directly infecting and damaging the colon.
- Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the colon (ischemic colitis) can lead to inflammation and tissue damage in the colon.
- Drug-induced colitis: Certain medications or treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and radiation therapy, can cause colitis as a side effect.
- Pseudomembranous colitis: This is a type of colitis caused by overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacteria, often associated with antibiotic use or hospitalization.
- Microscopic colitis: Lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis are types of colitis characterized by microscopic changes in the colon tissue, often resulting in chronic diarrhea.
- Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune conditions can affect the colon, leading to inflammation and colitis, such as autoimmune colitis or microscopic colitis.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation used to treat cancers in the pelvic region may damage the colon and cause radiation colitis.
- Diverticular disease: When small pouches (diverticula) form in the colon and become infected or inflamed, it can lead to diverticular colitis.
It's important to note that colitis can also occur due to unknown or idiopathic causes. In such cases, the exact underlying factors remain undetermined. If you are experiencing symptoms suggestive of colitis, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and appropriate management.