Types of Colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases are classified by its etiology.  There are six different types of colitis.

•    Autoimmune Colitis-this form of IBD consists of Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

•    Idiopathic IBD-this is a microscopic colitis that requires diagnosis by a microscope as the colon tissue appears normal to the naked eye.  This type of inflammatory bowel disease includes Lymphocytic Colitis and Collagenous Colitis.

•    Iatrogenic Colitis included Diversion Colitis and Chemical Colitis.

•    Vascular disease can produce Ischemic Colitis.

•    Infection leads to Infectious Colitis.

•    Unclassified Colitis included Indeterminate Colitis and Atypical Colitis.  These colitides do not conform to any typical form of colitis.  Fulminant IBD is a colitis that quickly becomes very severe.