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Microscopic colitis refers to two related medical conditions which cause diarrhea: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Both conditions are characterized by the presence of chronic non-bloody watery diarrhea , normal appearances on colonoscopy and characteristic histopathology findings of inflammatory cells.
Collagenous colitis, and microscopic colitis as a whole, is sometimes considered to be an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) along with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. However, little is known about the etiology of microscopic colitis, and so the degree of similarity to the inflammatory bowel diseases is uncertain. [1] [2]
What causes microscopic colitis and who gets it? It occurs in males and females of all ages, but women are more likely to be affected and it mostly presents later in adulthood.
Over-the-counter antidiarrheal drugs may be effective for some people with lymphocytic colitis. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as salicylates, mesalazine, and systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed for people who do not respond to other drug treatment. The long-term prognosis for this disease is good with a proportion of people suffering ...
Less common causes of this symptom profile are carcinoid syndrome, microscopic colitis, bacterial overgrowth, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis; IBS is, however, a common presentation, and testing for these conditions would yield low numbers of positive results, so it is considered difficult to justify the expense. [75]
Learn about whether Medicare covers virtual colonoscopies, also known as a CT colonography or CT colonoscopy. This article also looks at the costs involved.
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In these cases, a diagnosis of indeterminate colitis may be made. [ 66 ] Irritable bowel syndrome can present with similar symptoms as either disease, as can nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) enteritis and intestinal tuberculosis .