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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffCollagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis can affect different parts of the colon. In some people, the inflammation tends to occur in patches along the lining of the colon. In other people, it's present along the entire length of the bowel.
Collagenous colitis is so named because of the thickened layer of connective tissue (collagen) in the colon's lining. Lymphocytic colitis gets its name because of the increased level of specialized white blood cells (lymphocytes) found in the colon.
In both collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis, the signs and symptoms are virtually identical.
Chronic diarrhea is the most common sign. This diarrhea is watery and nonbloody, and often starts quite suddenly. The diarrhea may become constant, or in some people, it's intermittent, with symptoms improving and then worsening again in a repeated cycle. Most affected people may have from four to nine watery bowel movements a day, although up to 20 daily bowel movements are possible with this condition. Signs and symptoms often are present for months before a proper diagnosis is made.
Signs and symptoms of collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis include:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Abdominal bloating (distention)
- Modest weight loss
- Nausea
- Fecal incontinence
- Dehydration
When to see a doctor
If you have watery, nonbloody diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, contact your doctor so that the condition can be diagnosed and properly treated.
- Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/collagenouscolitis/. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis. Merck Manual. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec09/ch126/ch126d.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Dietrich CF. Lymphocytic and collagenous colitis (microscopic colitis). http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=inflambd/5666. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Wall, Geoffrey C. Pharmacotherapy for Microscopic Colitis. Pharmacotherapy. 2007;27(3):425-433.http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555432_1. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
- Colitis: A cause of persistent diarrhea in older adults. Mayo Clinic Health Letter.Vol. 25, No. 3, March 2007.
- Antidiarrheal Medicines: OTC Relief for Diarrhea. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/855.html#ArticleParsysMiddleColumn0010. Accessed Aug. 12, 2008.
