(973) 397-5548
  • Make A Payment
  • Directions
Request an Appointment

Essex Endoscopy CenterEssex Endoscopy Center

  • For Patients
    • Keeping You Safe During COVID-19
    • Patient Registration
    • Insurance and Billing
    • Request an Appointment
  • Physicians
  • Our Procedures
  • Conditions
  • About Us

Microscopic Colitis

Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel (colon) disease that causes persistent watery diarrhea. In order to identify the disorder, bowel tissue must be viewed under a microscope, as the tissue appears to be normal when examined during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

There are three subtypes of microscopic colitis:

  • Collagenous colitis: a layer of collagen grows in the bowel tissue
  • Lymphocytic colitis: lymphocytes (white blood cells) multiply in bowel tissue
  • Incomplete microscopic colitis: both features of collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are exhibited

Regardless of subtype, symptoms, testing and treatment remain the same.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Chronic watery diarrhea
  • Cramps, bloating or abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Weight loss
  • Dehydration
  • Fecal incontinence

Symptoms may come and go, and periodically resolve on their own.

Should You See a Doctor?

If symptoms last more than a few days, particularly watery diarrhea, contact your doctor so they can assess and, if needed, treat your condition.

Causes

It’s unclear what causes bowel inflammation. Possibilities include:

  • Autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis, which attack the body’s healthy tissues
  • Viruses that produce inflammation
  • Bacteria that generate inflammation in the colon’s lining
  • Medications that irritate the colon lining
Abdominal Pain Achalasia Anorectal Disease Barrett's Esophagus Bloody Stool Celiac Disease Chronic Diarrhea Chronic Liver Disease Cirrhosis Colon & Colorectal Cancer Constipation Crohn's Disease Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia) Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis Elevated Liver Enzymes Esophageal Cancer Esophageal Varices Esophagitis and Stricture Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD Helicobacter Pylori (Stomach Infection) Hemorrhoids Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hiatal Hernia Indigestion Inflammatory Bowel Disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Jaundice Liver Cancer Liver Disease Malabsorption Microscopic Colitis Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic Cysts Pancreatitis Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) Rectal Bleeding Reflux Esophagitis Stomach Cancer Stomach Problems and Swallowing Problems Stomach Ulcers Strictures Ulcerative Colitis
  • Contact Us
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Internet Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Billing Disclosure

Essex Endoscopy Center
275 Chestnut Street, Suite 6,
Newark, NJ 07105

© 2023 Essex Endoscopy Center