Are Bananas Good for Colitis?

Symptoms of colitis may vary depending on the type. 

Symptoms of infectious colitis may include:

• Diarrhea
• Rectal pain
• Feeling of being unable to empty the bowels
• Bloody stools 
• Urgent bowel movements

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) may include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent diarrhea (may be bloody)
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Rectal pain 
• Painful urge to move the bowels caused by the inflammation 
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Dehydration 

Symptoms of ischemic colitis may include:

• Abdominal pain which can be mild or severe
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blood in bowel movements, including bloody diarrhea
• Weight loss without trying
• Eating problems, such as:
  • Food fear: not wanting to eat because of pain that comes on after eating
  • Feeling full too quickly when eating

Symptoms of microscopic colitis may include: 

• Chronic, watery, non-bloody diarrhea
• Urgent bowel movements
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating weight loss
• Fecal incontinence (accidental leakage of stool or fluid from the rectum)
• Nausea
• Dehydration

Symptoms of allergic colitis affect babies and may include:

• Fussiness
• Difficulty being consoled
• Flecks or streaks of blood in the stool
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Signs of allergies, such as nasal congestion or red, itchy skin (eczema)

Each type of colitis has a different cause. 

The causes of infectious colitis include

• bacteria,
• viruses, or
• parasites.

The cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) is unknown, but it is believed to involve an abnormal activation of the immune system in the intestines, causing chronic inflammation and ulceration in portions of the digestive tract. A susceptibility to abnormal activation of the immune system is genetically inherited. 

The cause of ischemic colitis is inadequate blood flow to the intestines which occurs when veins or arteries in the intestines are blocked.

The cause of microscopic colitis is unknown but it is believed to be the result of an abnormal immune-system response to bacteria that normally live in the colon. Factors that may contribute to the development of microscopic colitis include: 

• Autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis
• Certain medications
• Infections
• Genetic factors, including genes linked to other inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• Bile acid malabsorption

Allergic colitis affects infants and it occurs when the baby's immune system overreacts to proteins found in cow's milk, which results in inflammation in the colon. Allergic colitis is caused by a combination of changes to the mother’s immune system during pregnancy combined with a baby immature immune system. It’s unknown why some babies develop the condition but there may be a genetic component.

Different types of colitis are diagnosed with a physical exam and patient history and tests such as: 

• Stool testing
  • To exclude infection and parasites
  • Calprotectin
• Blood tests 
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Sedimentation rate 
  • Kidney function
  • Liver function tests
  • Iron studies
  • C-reactive protein 
• Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
• Video capsule endoscopy
• Tissue biopsy
• Barium enema X-ray 
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan 
• CT/MRI enterography
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Angiogram
• Laparoscopy

Treatment for colitis depends on the type. 

Treatment for infectious colitis depends on the pathogen that causes it and may include:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungals
• Antivirals
• Medications for pain
• Fever reducers
• Iron supplements in cases of severe or prolonged bleeding
• Adequate hydration 

Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) may include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs 
  • 5-ASA compounds
  • Systemic corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone, cortisone)
  • Topical corticosteroids
• Immunomodulators
• Biologic therapies
• Janus kinase inhibitors (JAK Inhibitors)
• Surgery: a last-resort for severe cases and usually involves removing the entire colon and the rectum

Treatment for ischemic bowel colitis may include: 

• Intravenous (IV) fluids
• Nasogastric tube to suck out excess fluid and air in the stomach and intestines
• Antibiotics to treat infection
• Anti-clotting medications (blood thinners) to treat clots in the vessels
• A procedure or surgery to open a blocked artery
• Surgery to remove part of the bowel if it is not healthy

Treatment for microscopic colitis may include: 

• Medications
  • Antidiarrheal medications 
  • Corticosteroids
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Cholestyramine resin
  • Antibiotics 
  • Immunomodulators 
  • Anti-TNF therapies
• Dietary changes
  • Avoid caffeine and artificial sweeteners
  • Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration during episodes of diarrhea
  • Avoid dairy products in cases of lactose intolerance
  • Avoid gluten
• Surgery: a last-resort for severe cases and usually involves removing the entire colon and the rectum

Treatment for allergic colitis may include:

• A dairy-free diet for the breastfeeding mother 
• Switching the baby to a hypoallergenic formula
• The mother should avoid soy (or use a soy-free formula) because about 30% of babies allergic to cow’s milk protein are also allergic to soy protein