collagenous-colitis : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

What is Collagenous Colitis?

Collagenous colitis is one of the two main types of microscopic colitis. Microscopic colitis is inflammation in the colon that is best identified by looking at colon cells under the microscope. The other type of microscopic colitis is lymphocytic colitis. In collagenous colitis, a thick layer of collagen, which is a type of connective protein, forms within the colon tissue. The symptoms can disappear and reappear.

What are the symptoms of Collagenous Colitis?

The symptoms of collagenous are chronic watery, non-bloody diarrhea. The diarrhea may be continuous or episodic. Abdominal pain or cramps may also be present.

What causes Collagenous Colitis?

The exact cause of collagenous colitis is unknown. A virus or bacteria may cause it. It may also be an autoimmune response or genetically inherited. Collagenous colitis isn’t contagious. It can’t spread to other people.

What are the tests to diahnose Collagenous Colitis?

The common diagnosis process includes:

• physical exam and medical history
• colonoscopy with a biopsy
• lab tests, such as blood and stool tests
• imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, or X-rays
• endoscopy

What are the treatments of Collagenous Colitis?

In some cases, collagenous colitis disappears on its own without treatment. However, some people need treatment. Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Diet :- Your doctor may recommend diet changes to help treat this condition. These changes are usually the first part of any treatment plan.

Medication:- Your doctor may also recommend that you take:

• anti-diarrheal medications
• intestinal anti-inflammatory medications, like mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine(Azulfidine)
• psyllium
• corticosteroids
• antibiotics
• immunomodulators
• anti-TNF therapies
• medications that block bile acids

Surgery :-Your doctor may recommend surgery if diet and medication changes don’t help. Surgery is usually only used in extreme cases. It’s not a typical treatment for collagenous colitis.

The most common types of surgery for collagenous colitis include:

• colectomy, which means removing all or part of the colon
• ileostomy, which means creating an opening in the abdomen after a colectomy