Colitis and Proctitis
Colitis
is a term that refers to inflammation
of the colon or large intestine. Some types of colitis are Ulcerative
Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Proctitis, and Spastic.
Inflammatory
Bowel Disease
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (regional enteritis) are called
idiopathic since neither their etiology nor pathogenesis is completely
understood. Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized
by chronic inflammation at various sites in the gastrointestinal tract.
Certain differences in disease patterns justify a distinction at least
between ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis, although groupings
and sub-groupings are somewhat artificial. Some cases will be difficult
if not impossible to classify.
Ulcerative
Colitis is a chronic, nonspecific, inflammatory, and ulcerative
disease of the colon and rectum; marked by bloody diarrhea and cramps,
occurring in a series of attacks. For more detailed information, view
our page on Ulcerative Colitis.
Crohn's
Disease is a nonspecific granulomatous inflammatory disease,
which may involve any area of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus
to the rectum; marked by chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and
weight loss. For more detailed information, view our page on Crohn's
Disease.
Proctitis
is inflammation of the rectum; marked by bloody stools and a frequent
urge to defecate; frequently associated with Crohn's disease or Ulcerative
Colitis Proctitis. For more detailed information, view our page on Proctitis.
Spastic Colitis
/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Spastic Colitis is not a true colitis. Spastic colon or Irritable Bowel
Syndrome (IBS) is a motility disorder involving the small intestine and
large bowel associated with variable degrees of abdominal pain, constipation,
or diarrhea, largely as a reaction to stress in a susceptible individual.
These syndromes represent about 50% of all new gastrointestinal complaints
in private and institutional care facilities. Women are more commonly
affected than men, in a 3:1 ratio. For more detailed information, view
our pages on Irritable Bowel Syndrome in
Adults and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
in Children.
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