Colitis facts for kids

Colitis is a medical word for when your large intestine (also called the colon) gets swollen and irritated. Think of it like a part of your body getting red and puffy. This condition can happen suddenly and last a short time, or it can be a long-lasting problem. Colitis is part of a group of conditions that affect your digestive system.

What are the signs of colitis?

The signs and feelings (symptoms) of colitis can be very different for each person. They can range from mild to quite serious.

Common signs and symptoms

• Tummy pain: You might feel pain or tenderness in your belly. This can be mild or strong, depending on how much the colon is irritated.
• Diarrhea: Often, people with colitis have diarrhea that happens again and again. Sometimes, there might be a little blood or pus in the poop.
• Trouble holding poop: It might be hard to control when you need to go to the bathroom.
• Gas: You might have a lot of gas.
• Feeling tired: Many people feel very tired and low on energy.
• Not hungry: You might not feel like eating much.
• Losing weight: Some people lose weight without trying.

More serious signs

Sometimes, colitis can cause more serious problems. These might include:

• Shortness of breath: Feeling like you can't get enough air.
• Fast heartbeat: Your heart might beat much faster than usual.
• Fever: Your body temperature might be higher than normal.

Other possible signs

Less often, colitis can cause other symptoms in different parts of the body. These can include:

• Joint pain: Your joints might feel achy.
• Mouth sores: Small, painful sores might appear in your mouth.
• Skin problems: Your skin might look red, swollen, and feel painful.
• Red eyes: Your eyes might become irritated and red.

If someone thinks they might have colitis, doctors usually ask about their health history. They also do a physical check-up and some lab tests to find out what's going on.

Related topics

• Crohn's disease

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