What is microscopic colitis?
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Microscopic colitis (MC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — the general name for diseases that cause irritation and inflammation in the intestines. Microscopic colitis is an inflammation of the colon that a health care provider can see only with a microscope. There are various forms of the disease, including collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis, and mastocytic enterocolitis, plus at least nine other types that are not often diagnosed. As is the case with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the symptoms of MC can wax and wane, but once the disease is diagnosed, it is for life. Similar to the other IBDs, MC has no known cure. And like Crohn's disease, MC can affect any organ in the entire digestive tract, from mouth to anus.
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Contrary to the prevailing medical opinion, watery diarrhea is not the only gastrointestinal symptom of the disease, (though a few patients do present with only this symptom). While diarrhea is the most common symptom, many patients present with alternating diarrhea and constipation, and some patients only have constipation. Some patients even have normal bowel movements, but they suffer from dyspepsia or even neurological issues.
The majority of patients suffer from a wide range of symptoms that can include (but are not limited to) abdominal cramps and other forms of abdominal pain, muscle pain, joint pain, muscle cramps in the leg or foot, migraines, and headaches. Arthritis-like stiffness and pain in joints, the neck, and the lower back, are very common. Some patients describe the symptoms as as being similar to a bad case of the flu that never ends. Some patients also experience nausea, thrush, or recurring mouth sores, fever blisters, swollen lymph nodes, and various skin issues such as eczema, rash, boils, and hives.
After trying numerous drug treatments with limited or no success, many patients are told they will just have to "learn to live with the disease". Fortunately, symptoms of the disease can be controlled, and in many cases it can be done without the use of prescription drugs.
The majority of patients suffer from a wide range of symptoms that can include (but are not limited to) abdominal cramps and other forms of abdominal pain, muscle pain, joint pain, muscle cramps in the leg or foot, migraines, and headaches. Arthritis-like stiffness and pain in joints, the neck, and the lower back, are very common. Some patients describe the symptoms as as being similar to a bad case of the flu that never ends. Some patients also experience nausea, thrush, or recurring mouth sores, fever blisters, swollen lymph nodes, and various skin issues such as eczema, rash, boils, and hives.
After trying numerous drug treatments with limited or no success, many patients are told they will just have to "learn to live with the disease". Fortunately, symptoms of the disease can be controlled, and in many cases it can be done without the use of prescription drugs.