Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

colitis, Crohn’s
Crohn’s disease affecting the
colon. Also known as granulomatous colitis. See
also 
Crohn’s disease.
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colitis, Crohn’s
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colitis, granulomatous
See 
colitis, Crohn’s.
colitis, pseudomembranous
Severe inflamma-
tion of the inner lining of the colon, usually due to
the Clostridium difficile bacterium. Patients taking
antibiotics are at particular risk of becoming
infected with C. difficile because the natural bacte-
ria of the bowel can usually prevent proliferation of
C. difficile, but they are disrupted by antibiotics. A
toxin produced by C. difficile causes colitis symp-
toms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and
severe inflammation. Rarely, the walls of the colon
wear away and holes develop (colon perforation),
which can lead to a life-threatening infection of the
abdomen. See also 
Clostridium difficile.
colitis, spastic
See 
irritable bowel syndrome.
colitis, ulcerative
A bowel disease that is char-
acterized by inflammation with ulcer formation in
the lining of colon (large intestine). Its cause is
unknown. The end of the colon (the rectum) is gen-
erally involved. When limited to the rectum, the dis-
ease is called ulcerative proctitis. The inflammation
may extend to varying degrees into the upper parts
of the colon. When the entire colon is involved, it is
referred to as pancolitis or universal colitis.
Symptoms include intermittent rectal bleeding,
crampy abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Many
patients experience long remissions, even without
medication. Ulcerative colitis may mysteriously
resolve after a long history of symptoms. Direct visu-
alization (via sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and
biopsy of the lining of the bowel is the most accurate
diagnostic test. Treatment of ulcerative colitis
involves medications and/or surgery; changes in
diet can sometimes help.