I have been diagnosed with collagenous colitis. Is this a lifetime condition? What is the worst-case scenario?

Dee

Collagenous colitis is a disease also known as microscopic colitis or lymphocytic colitis. In contrast to other inflammatory conditions of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis, the lining of the colon appears normal when the doctor views it during a colonoscopy. It takes a biopsy and a microscopic examination of colon tissue to reveal the problem: inflammatory cells (lymphocytes) infiltrating the lining of the colon and a layer of collagen deposited just under this lining.

Patients with collagenous colitis usually experience chronic, watery diarrhea with abdominal cramping. The cause of this condition is unknown. However, it is more common in women, and some studies have linked the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to this disease. The course of collagenous colitis is characterized by remissions and flare-ups. However, the condition usually does not get more severe with time, and generally is not life-threatening.

The standard treatments for collagenous colitis are antidiarrheal and antispasmodic drugs. Studies have suggested that some medications used to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, such as mesalamine or steroids, may also be helpful In addition, more recent research has found that patients with collagenous colitis may benefit from the use of bismuth-containing compounds, such as Pepto-Bismol.