Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Definitions

Colitis


Overview

Colitis is inflammation of the large intestine. Infection, inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, and reaction to an antibiotic (pseudomembranous colitis) are some causes.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and rectal bleeding.

Treatments

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.