Microscopic colitis: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Microscopic colitis
| image          = [[File:Collagenous_colitis_-_intermed_mag.jpg|left|thumb|Collagenous colitis under a microscope]]
| caption        = Collagenous colitis under a microscope
| field          = [[Gastroenterology]]
| symptoms        = [[Chronic diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[weight loss]]
| complications  = [[Dehydration]], [[malnutrition]]
| onset          = Typically in adults over 50
| duration        = Can be chronic or intermittent
| types          = [[Collagenous colitis]], [[Lymphocytic colitis]]
| causes          = Unknown, possibly [[autoimmune]] or [[medication-induced]]
| risks          = [[Smoking]], use of [[NSAIDs]], [[proton pump inhibitors]]
| diagnosis      = [[Colonoscopy]] with [[biopsy]]
| differential    = [[Irritable bowel syndrome]], [[Celiac disease]], [[Infectious colitis]]
| treatment      = [[Dietary changes]], [[medications]] such as [[budesonide]]
| medication      = [[Budesonide]], [[loperamide]], [[bismuth subsalicylate]]
| frequency      = Estimated 10-20 per 100,000 people per year
| deaths          = Rare
}}
'''Microscopic colitis''' is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the [[colon]] that is only visible when the colon's tissue is examined under a [[microscope]]. The term "microscopic colitis" encompasses two similar conditions, [[Lymphocytic colitis]] and [[Collagenous colitis]], which share the same symptoms but have different microscopic features.
'''Microscopic colitis''' is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the [[colon]] that is only visible when the colon's tissue is examined under a [[microscope]]. The term "microscopic colitis" encompasses two similar conditions, [[Lymphocytic colitis]] and [[Collagenous colitis]], which share the same symptoms but have different microscopic features.
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The primary symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic, non-bloody [[diarrhea]]. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, weight loss, and [[nausea]]. The symptoms can be intermittent, and some patients may be symptom-free for weeks or months at a time.
The primary symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic, non-bloody [[diarrhea]]. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, weight loss, and [[nausea]]. The symptoms can be intermittent, and some patients may be symptom-free for weeks or months at a time.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
The exact cause of microscopic colitis is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to an abnormal immune response to the bacteria that normally live in the colon. Other potential triggers include the use of certain medications, such as [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs), and the presence of other autoimmune disorders.
The exact cause of microscopic colitis is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to an abnormal immune response to the bacteria that normally live in the colon. Other potential triggers include the use of certain medications, such as [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]] (NSAIDs), and the presence of other autoimmune disorders.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of microscopic colitis is typically made through a [[colonoscopy]] or [[sigmoidoscopy]], during which a small sample of tissue is taken from the colon for microscopic examination. The presence of increased numbers of lymphocytes and/or a thickened layer of collagen in the colon tissue can confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnosis of microscopic colitis is typically made through a [[colonoscopy]] or [[sigmoidoscopy]], during which a small sample of tissue is taken from the colon for microscopic examination. The presence of increased numbers of lymphocytes and/or a thickened layer of collagen in the colon tissue can confirm the diagnosis.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for microscopic colitis typically involves medication to control the inflammation and diarrhea. In some cases, changes to the diet may also be recommended. If these treatments are not effective, surgery may be considered as a last resort.
Treatment for microscopic colitis typically involves medication to control the inflammation and diarrhea. In some cases, changes to the diet may also be recommended. If these treatments are not effective, surgery may be considered as a last resort.
== Epidemiology ==
== Epidemiology ==
Microscopic colitis is most common in older adults, particularly women, and the incidence appears to be increasing. However, it can occur at any age and in both sexes.
Microscopic colitis is most common in older adults, particularly women, and the incidence appears to be increasing. However, it can occur at any age and in both sexes.
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Inflammatory bowel disease]]
* [[Inflammatory bowel disease]]
* [[Gastroenterology]]
* [[Gastroenterology]]
* [[Histopathology]]
* [[Histopathology]]
[[Category:Gastrointestinal disorders]]
[[Category:Gastrointestinal disorders]]
[[Category:Inflammatory bowel disease]]
[[Category:Inflammatory bowel disease]]
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Latest revision as of 21:36, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Microscopic colitis
Collagenous colitis under a microscope
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss
Complications Dehydration, malnutrition
Onset Typically in adults over 50
Duration Can be chronic or intermittent
Types Collagenous colitis, Lymphocytic colitis
Causes Unknown, possibly autoimmune or medication-induced
Risks Smoking, use of NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors
Diagnosis Colonoscopy with biopsy
Differential diagnosis Irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac disease, Infectious colitis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Dietary changes, medications such as budesonide
Medication Budesonide, loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate
Prognosis N/A
Frequency Estimated 10-20 per 100,000 people per year
Deaths Rare


Microscopic colitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the colon that is only visible when the colon's tissue is examined under a microscope. The term "microscopic colitis" encompasses two similar conditions, Lymphocytic colitis and Collagenous colitis, which share the same symptoms but have different microscopic features.

Symptoms[edit]

The primary symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic, non-bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea. The symptoms can be intermittent, and some patients may be symptom-free for weeks or months at a time.

Causes[edit]

The exact cause of microscopic colitis is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to an abnormal immune response to the bacteria that normally live in the colon. Other potential triggers include the use of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the presence of other autoimmune disorders.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of microscopic colitis is typically made through a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, during which a small sample of tissue is taken from the colon for microscopic examination. The presence of increased numbers of lymphocytes and/or a thickened layer of collagen in the colon tissue can confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for microscopic colitis typically involves medication to control the inflammation and diarrhea. In some cases, changes to the diet may also be recommended. If these treatments are not effective, surgery may be considered as a last resort.

Epidemiology[edit]

Microscopic colitis is most common in older adults, particularly women, and the incidence appears to be increasing. However, it can occur at any age and in both sexes.

See also[edit]

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