Colitis facts for kids
Colitis (pl. colitides) refers to an inflammation of the colon. Colitis may be acute and persistent, and broadly fits into the category of digestive diseases.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of colitis are quite variable. Symptoms of colitis may include: mild to severe abdominal pain and tenderness (depending on the stage of the disease), recurring bloody diarrhea with/without pus in the stools, fecal incontinence, flatulence, fatigue, loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
More severe symptoms may include: shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat and fever.
Other less or rare non-specific symptoms that may accompany colitis include: arthritis, mouth ulcers, painful, red and swollen skin and irritated, red eyes.
Symptoms suggestive of colitis are worked on by obtaining the medical history, a physical examination and laboratory tests.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Micrograph showing intestinal crypt branching, a histopathological finding of chronic colitis. H&E stain.
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Micrograph of collagenous colitis. H&E stain.
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Micrograph of a colonic pseudomembrane, as may be seen in Clostridioides difficile colitis, a type of infectious colitis.
See also
In Spanish: Colitis para niños
