Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes your colon to get inflamed.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic, watery, non-bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea at night
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Not being able to hold in a bowel movement (fetal incontinence)
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
Treatment
There is no cure for microscopic colitis. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, changing what you eat and drink, and stopping any medications that make symptoms worse can help.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications such as steroids, antidiarrheal medications, immunosuppressants, or biologics.
Risk Factors
Doctors aren't sure what causes microscopic colitis, but certain things can increase your risk, including:
- Aging
- Being female
- Type 1 diabetes
- Celiac disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain types of antidepressants
- Taking a lot of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition
department
Gastroenterology
BMC’s Gastroenterology team provides everything you need to thrive with conditions ranging from peptic ulcers, to IBD, to cancer, motility issues, and liver conditions. Our interd…