Causes of Colitis

Colitis causes an inflammation in the colon of the large intestine. There are different types of the colitis. Causes of each type of colitis is different, all are given in detail.

Infectious colitis

Many types of bacteria are present in the intestine of the human being. These bacteria are called as symbiotic bacteria.
At the time of consumption of the food material some harmful bacteria may enter inside the body causing harm to the intestine.
There are some common bacteria which are mostly ingested like E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter and salmonella that can cause harm to the colon.
These bacteria causes diarrhea. Sometime viral infection also causes diarrhea but they infect to the other part of intestine except colon.

Ischemic colitis

Blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body, for proper functioning of the body oxygen is required.
The muscles of the colon also need blood to carry out different function.
When there is any blockage or supply of the blood is stopped then it can cause ischemic colitis.
In old age, the lumen of the blood carrying vessels becomes narrower leading to fast flow of blood. It can cause high blood pressure as well as colitis.
By any reason if there is blockage or twisting in the vessel which provides blood to the colon can cause colitis.

Ulcerative colitis

If there is poor response of the immune system then it can leads to the ulcerative colitis
The antibodies recognizes and kill the foreign particles and prevent the body from harmful effect
Person with weak immune system is not able to identify the antigen causing ulcerative colitis
There is about ten to fifteen percent chances of transferring ulcerative colitis to next generation

Microscopic colitis

Microscopic colitis is further divided into two types: collagenous and lymphocytic colitis
In lymphocytic colitis, lymphocytes accumulate in the epithelium and connective tissues of the colon, it causes thickening of these tissues called as lymphocytic colitis.
The correct reason of the collagenous colitis is still unknown but non-steroids may cause collagenous colitis.
After taking certain drugs, the immune system shows some unusual function like, it kills the symbiotic bacteria present inside the intestine leading to the inflammation.

Crohn's colitis

Crohn's colitis is caused due to an autoimmune response. Immune system shows the defense mechanism by producing antibodies against the antigen.
In the Crohn's colitis, antibodies target the tissue of our own intestine causing damage

Chemical colitis

Many people takes medicines to cure different disorders, sometime harsh chemical can damage colon of the intestine leading to chemical colitis.
Sometime for treating constipation soap enema is given to the patient from the anus. It can cause chemical colitis.