How Do I Know Which Type of Colitis I Have?

Posted Thu, 11/19/2009 - 22:18 by aloeelite

The word “colitis” is used to describe a inflammatory bowel disorder.  It is usually milder then ulcerative colitis, or pancolitis.

Symptoms of colitis usually include frequent bowel movements and loose stools or diarrhea. Although bothersome, it is considered less severe than other forms of colitis, but if left untreated, it can become either ulcerative colitis or pancolitis, both of which are more painful, more severe diseases that send people to the doctor’s office or, in extreme cases, to the emergency room.

With ulcerative colitis, the intestines become inflamed and ulcerations develop in the colon. The ulcerations tend to produce bleeding and the rectum will excrete mucus to try and protect itself.  Bowel movements become less frequent but an urgent feeling of having to use the bathroom still persists, causing extremely painful cramping. Untreated ulcerative colitis can cause proctitis (inflammation of the rectum).

Pancolitis, involves the entire colon (large intestine) whereas colitis or ulcerative colitis is contained on the left hand side of the colon about 15 centimeters up. The same symptoms present themselves in an even more intense fashion.