April 15, 2025
Colitis—inflammation of the colon—affects millions globally, causing pain, frequent diarrhea, and even bleeding. Left untreated, colitis can lead to serious complications like colon perforation and increased cancer risk.
That’s why a custom approach to colitis treatment matters. Matching the right therapies to your symptoms can dramatically improve quality of life and avoid serious health risks.
Understanding Colitis: Types and Causes
Colitis isn’t just one condition—it’s actually a family of disorders marked by inflammation in the colon. Knowing exactly which type of colitis you have (and what’s causing it) helps your doctor create the most effective colitis treatment plan custom specifically for you.
Types of Colitis
- Ulcerative Colitis: The most common type you’ve probably heard about is ulcerative colitis. It’s a chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of your large intestine and rectum. Usually starting in the rectum, ulcerative colitis can spread continuously along the colon.
- Crohn’s Disease: Another related condition is Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of your digestive system from your mouth all the way to your anus. When Crohn’s specifically targets your colon, doctors sometimes call it “Crohn’s colitis.”
- Microscopic Colitis: You might also come across something called microscopic colitis, which is exactly what it sounds like—tiny inflammation that doctors can only see under a microscope. It comes in two forms: collagenous and lymphocytic, each named based on the changes doctors see in your colon tissue.
Less common but still important types include ischemic colitis (when blood flow to your colon is reduced or blocked), infectious colitis (caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Clostridium difficile, viruses, or parasites), and allergic colitis (usually seen in infants reacting to proteins found in cow’s milk or soy).
Additionally, some types of colitis are related to medical procedures or treatments. For example, radiation colitis can occur after radiation therapy targeting the pelvic area, and diversion colitis sometimes develops in parts of the colon bypassed during surgery.
Colitis is surprisingly common. Did you know ulcerative colitis alone affects about 1 in every 250 people across North America and Europe? Right now, around 900,000 people in the United States live with ulcerative colitis.
Causes of Colitis
- So, what’s causing all this inflammation in the first place? For the two main inflammatory bowel diseases—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—the culprit is usually an autoimmune response. That’s your immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissue in your colon, leading to inflammation and damage.
- There’s also a genetic side to things. Having a family history of inflammatory bowel disease means you’re more likely to develop colitis yourself. This suggests that genes play an important role.
- On top of that, environmental factors can trigger or worsen symptoms. Stress, certain medications (especially NSAIDs like ibuprofen), and even diet (hello, modern Western diet) might all contribute to flare-ups.
- In other cases, the cause is clearer. For instance, reduced blood flow causes ischemic colitis, infections lead to infectious colitis, and allergies—especially food allergies in infants—lead to allergic colitis.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Colitis
When it comes to effective colitis treatment, timing matters—a lot. The earlier you spot symptoms and take action, the better chance you have of managing your condition successfully. But how do you know if what you’re experiencing is colitis? Let’s break down some of the most common signs and what they might mean for your health.
Common Symptoms
- One of the first symptoms people usually notice is abdominal pain and cramping. This discomfort often appears in the lower left side of your belly, making daily activities tough. If you’ve found yourself doubled over in pain regularly, it might be more than just a bad meal.
- Another hallmark sign is diarrhea. We’re talking persistent, frequent bathroom trips, sometimes even more than 10 times a day during severe flare-ups. Not exactly anyone’s idea of fun. With colitis, the diarrhea might have mucus, and it’s common to notice blood in your stool, ranging from just a trace to significant amounts. In fact, over 90% of people with active ulcerative colitis experience rectal bleeding.
- You might also feel a constant urgency to rush to the bathroom, accompanied by something called tenesmus, where you feel you haven’t completely emptied your bowels. It’s frustrating, uncomfortable, and exhausting.
- Speaking of exhaustion, fatigue is another frequent symptom. Because of inflammation, blood loss leading to anemia, or poor nutrition from reduced appetite, you might feel wiped out even after a good night’s sleep. Unintentional weight loss is common too, as your body struggles to absorb nutrients properly or because eating has become painful.
- Finally, fever can indicate more severe colitis or an infection. If your body temperature spikes alongside other symptoms, it’s definitely time to seek medical attention.
Severity Spectrum
Symptoms can range from mild annoyances to severe health crises, and understanding these differences can help guide your colitis treatment.
With mild colitis, you might have fewer than four bowel movements a day, minimal abdominal pain, and generally go about your life normally. However, moderate colitis ups the ante—with around four to six bowel movements daily, more noticeable belly pain, and symptoms beginning to interfere with your routine.
Severe colitis is tough: more than six bowel movements a day, serious abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue that disrupt your daily life. At the most extreme is fulminant colitis, characterized by more than 10 bowel movements a day, constant bleeding, rapid heart rate, and often requiring hospitalization. Clearly, catching symptoms early is crucial.
Extra-intestinal Symptoms
You might be surprised to learn that about 25% of people with ulcerative colitis experience symptoms outside their gut. These can show up as joint aches or arthritis-like symptoms, inflamed eyes, or skin issues like erythema nodosum—those painful red bumps you might’ve noticed. In some cases, liver complications such as primary sclerosing cholangitis can occur.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, especially persistent diarrhea with blood, constant abdominal pain, or unexplained fatigue—don’t wait. Early recognition is your best friend when it comes to finding effective treatment and preventing serious complications.
Diagnosing Colitis: Tests and Procedures
When it comes to effective colitis treatment, a precise diagnosis makes all the difference. Determining exactly what’s causing your symptoms—and how severe it is—helps your doctor create a personalized plan that truly fits your needs. Let’s walk through how doctors typically figure out what’s going on when colitis is suspected.
Initial Assessment
It all starts with a good conversation and a careful exam. Your doctor will first ask about your symptoms: how long you’ve had them, how severe they are, and any triggers you’ve noticed. They’ll also check into your family history, recent travel, medications you’ve taken, and diet details.
Next, they’ll perform a physical examination, paying special attention to your abdomen. They’ll gently press around your belly area to see if there’s tenderness, swelling, or anything else unusual.
Laboratory Tests
After the initial assessment, your doctor will usually order some laboratory tests. These help give a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body.
Blood tests are typically the first step. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) can reveal anemia (from internal bleeding) or signs of inflammation, such as increased white blood cells. Your doctor will also check markers of inflammation like the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP), along with liver function tests and electrolyte levels to see if you’re dehydrated or lacking essential nutrients.
Alongside blood work, stool tests offer additional clues. A fecal occult blood test checks for hidden blood in your stool, while stool cultures help identify if an infection (like Salmonella or E. coli) is responsible. Doctors also look for fecal calprotectin, a protein indicating gut inflammation, and test specifically for Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infections when symptoms suggest it.
Endoscopic Procedures
When your doctor needs a closer look, they’ll usually recommend an endoscopic procedure. A colonoscopy is by far the most common and reliable method for diagnosing colitis. During this exam, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera into your colon to see exactly what’s going on.
One big advantage of colonoscopies is that your doctor can take small tissue samples (biopsies) during the procedure. As one medical resource clearly puts it, “Endoscopic procedures with tissue biopsy are the only way to definitively diagnose ulcerative colitis.”
In some cases, especially when symptoms are mild or limited to the lower colon, your doctor may opt for a flexible sigmoidoscopy instead. This procedure is shorter and less invasive, but it only examines the lower portion of your colon. Occasionally, an upper endoscopy is also done if Crohn’s disease is suspected since it can affect higher parts of your digestive tract too.
Imaging Studies
Sometimes your doctor needs additional imaging to better understand your condition or check for complications.
An abdominal X-ray is a quick and easy way to rule out severe complications like colon perforation or toxic megacolon. For more detailed images, your doctor might order a CT scan or MRI. CT scans (Computed Tomography) provide clear pictures of your abdomen, helping identify inflammation or abscesses. MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are especially helpful if your doctor suspects Crohn’s disease affecting the small intestine or areas near the anus.
Doctors occasionally use a barium enema—a contrast X-ray that highlights the shape of your colon. However, this test is less common today, thanks to advancements in other imaging technologies.
Histological Examination
Remember those tiny tissue samples taken during your colonoscopy? They get sent off to a lab for histological examination under a microscope.
This step is crucial. It not only confirms that inflammation is present but also pinpoints the exact type of colitis you have (such as Crohn’s, ulcerative, or microscopic colitis). The tissue examination also reveals how active and severe the disease is and checks for any precancerous or cancerous changes.
Contact Gladiator Therapeutics For Therapeutic Devices that Help Manage Colitis Symptoms
At Gladiator Therapeutics, we deeply understand the challenges of managing colitis. That’s why we developed our unique SemiCera® Technology. This innovative, non-invasive approach uses far infrared (FIR) energy to complement traditional treatment methods. SemiCera® Technology promotes circulation, supports your body’s natural healing, and potentially reduces inflammation, helping tissues heal faster and improving your overall recovery.
While living with colitis certainly has its ups and downs, it’s absolutely possible to thrive. By working closely with your healthcare team, you’ll find the perfect mix of medications, lifestyle adjustments, and supportive therapies custom specifically to your needs.
If you’re interested in learning how Gladiator Therapeutics products can complement your current treatment plan, we’d love to help. Explore Gladiator Therapeutics products today and find the difference our innovative technology can make.