Microscopic Colitis Specialist

What is microscopic colitis?

Microscopic colitis is either collagenous colitis or lymphocytic colitis that causes inflammation of your large intestines, often resulting in diarrhea. These conditions are typically benign, and they’re not life threatening and do not increase your risk of cancer.

What are the symptoms of microscopic colitis?

Whether your microscopic colitis is due to collagenous colitis or lymphocytic colitis, which are believed to be different phases of the same condition, your symptoms are the same. Common symptoms of microscopic colitis include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Belly pain and cramping
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Loss of bowel control
  
  

Your symptoms may come and go and may possibly resolve on their own. However, if you’re experiencing watery diarrhea that lasts more than three days, you should contact the team at Edmunds Gastroenterology for a comprehensive evaluation.

What causes microscopic colitis?

The cause of microscopic colitis is unknown, but may represent an autoimmune disorder. Autoinflammatory drugs, such as nonsteroidals, have been associated with the development of microscopic colitis. You may also develop the inflammation from a bacterial or viral infection or the use of certain medications.

Once microscopic colitis develops, it is often associated with watery, non-bloody diarrhea. This diarrhea may be associated with abdominal pain or cramping. Bloody diarrhea suggests other possible diagnostic causes of the diarrhea instead.

How is microscopic colitis diagnosed?

Microscopic colitis is typically found when biopsies are taken of the colon during endoscopy of a normal-appearing colon. This condition is primarily diagnosed by biopsy.

How is microscopic colitis treated?

Dr. Edmunds and his team at Edmunds Gastroenterology create individualized treatment plans to alleviate your microscopic colitis. Your treatment plan may include medicines such as antidiarrheal agents like ImodiumⓇ or LomotilⓇ. Localized steroids may also be useful. Anti-inflammatory agents for the colon such as mesalamine, as well as Pepto-BismolⓇ have been found to be useful in the treatment of this condition.

Obviously, if offending medicines can be found from review of the patient’s medications, you should stop these agents if at all possible.

Loose stools can develop from many causes. For a comprehensive evaluation of your watery diarrhea, contact the experienced team at Edmunds Gastroenterology for an evaluation or request an appointment online.

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult with your primary care physician or a specialist regarding your symptoms.