Colitis Specialist

What is colitis?

Colitis refers to inflammation of your large intestine, also known as the colon. The inflammation may develop from an acute infection or a chronic gastrointestinal condition. 

Depending on the cause, colitis symptoms may be mild and short-lived. However, some cases of colitis are chronic and cause ongoing symptoms that affect daily life.

What are common causes and types of colitis?

Many conditions can cause colitis. Types of colitis Dr. Steele treats include:

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the large intestine.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease causes ongoing inflammation that affects the deep layers of the gastrointestinal tract. Though a type of colitis, Crohn’s disease may affect any part of your digestive tract, including the small intestine. 

Ischemic colitis

Ischemic colitis is an inflammatory condition that develops from lack of blood flow to the large intestine. 

Food poisoning

Bacterial food poisoning may also cause inflammation of the large intestine. 

Indeterminate colitis

Indeterminate colitis is a type of inflammatory condition that has no known cause. 

What are the symptoms of colitis?

Symptoms of colitis depend on the underlying cause. With colitis, you may have:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Fever

If you have these symptoms and they fail to improve within a few days of at-home care, schedule an appointment with Dr. Steele. 

What happens during a colitis evaluation?

Dr. Steele conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with symptoms that sound like colitis. He asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started, the type of pain you feel, and the activities that ease or worsen your gastrointestinal distress.

He performs a physical exam and may request diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a suspected cause, such as bloodwork, stool testing, or a urinalysis.

For chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, Dr. Steele may have you undergo a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to evaluate the lining of your digestive tract, take a biopsy, or confirm or rule out a diagnosis. 

How is colitis treated?

Dr. Steele customizes your colitis treatment plan based on the underlying cause. Treatment may include diet modification, antibiotics, or disease-specific medication.

In some cases, like with ulcerative colitis, surgery may be recommended to remove the diseased portion of the large intestine to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. 

Diagnosing gastrointestinal problems like colitis isn’t always cut and dried. For expert care, call the office of Stephen Steele, MD, or book an appointment online today.