Colitis Specialist

What is colitis?

Colitis means inflammation and swelling of the colon, or large intestine. The large intestine is the last section of your digestive tract. It removes fluids and nutrients from the waste that is leftover from digestion in the small intestine before it’s eliminated from your body. 

The inflammation occurs in the innermost lining of the large intestine. Colitis may occur from a wide array of causes. 

What are the symptoms of colitis?

Colitis symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Gas and bloating
• Bloody diarrhea
• Urge to have a bowel movement
• Fever

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with Dr. Memon at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants.  

What are the causes of colitis?

A number of conditions can cause colitis. Some are more common than others, such as:

Ulcerative colitis (UC)

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the large intestine. UC is a chronic disease that has symptoms that come and go.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is another type of IBD. While UC only affects the large intestine, Crohn’s disease may cause inflammation and swelling in any part of the digestive tract.

Infections

Colitis may occur from a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. 

Pseudomembranous colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis is an inflammatory condition that develops from Clostridium difficile (C. diff) bacteria. C. diff is naturally found in the large intestine, but an overabundance may  create an imbalance, causing inflammation and irritation.

What are some treatments for colitis?

Treatment for colitis depends on the underlying cause. Dr. Memon conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea so he can find the root cause of your symptoms. 

In addition to a history and physical, he may perform endoscopic procedures such as a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy. Treatment for colitis may include:

• Diet modification
• Disease-specific medication
• Antibiotics
• Antidiarrheals

For chronic conditions that fail to improve with medical interventions, Dr. Memon may talk to you about surgical interventions to remove the inflamed portion of your bowel.

To schedule a colitis consultation with the esteemed gastroenterologist, call Texas Digestive Disease Consultants or book online today.