Print Overview Colon and rectum Enlarge image Close Colon and rectum Colon and rectum The colon is a long tube-like organ in the abdomen. It's the largest part of the large intestine. The colon carries waste to be expelled from the body. The rectum makes up the last several inches of the colon. Microscopic colitis is swelling and irritation, called inflammation, of the large intestine. This large intestine is also called the colon. Microscopic colitis causes symptoms of watery diarrhea. The condition gets its name from needing to look at colon tissue under a microscope to diagnose it. The tissue appears typical on exam with a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. There are two subtypes of microscopic colitis: Collagenous colitis, in which a thick layer of protein called collagen grows in colon tissue. Lymphocytic colitis, in which white blood cells called lymphocytes increase in colon tissue. Researchers believe collagenous (kuh-LAYJ-uh-nus) colitis and lymphocytic colitis may be forms of the same condition. Symptoms, testing and treatment are the same for both subtypes.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic on Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative ColitisA Book: Mayo Clinic on Digestive HealthShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSymptoms of microscopic colitis include: Watery diarrhea. Belly pain, cramps or bloating. Weight loss. Nausea. Not being able to control bowel movements, called fecal incontinence. The body not having enough water, called dehydration. The symptoms of microscopic colitis can come and go. At times, symptoms improve on their own. When to see a doctorIf you have watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days, contact your healthcare professional to diagnose and treat your condition. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Address 1 Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesIt's not clear what causes the swelling and irritation, called inflammation, of the colon found in microscopic colitis. Researchers believe that the causes may include: Medicines that can inflame the lining of the colon. Bile acid not absorbed as it should be that inflames the lining of the colon. Bacteria that make toxins or viruses that interact with the lining of the colon. Autoimmune disease linked to microscopic colitis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease or psoriasis. Autoimmune disease happens when the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues. Risk factorsRisk factors for microscopic colitis include: Age. Microscopic colitis is most common in people older than age 50. Sex. Women are more likely to have microscopic colitis than are men. Some studies suggest a link between post-menopausal hormone therapy and microscopic colitis. Autoimmune disease. People with microscopic colitis sometimes also have an autoimmune disorder, such as celiac disease, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or psoriasis. Genetic link. Research suggests that there may be a link between microscopic colitis and a family history of irritable bowel syndrome. Smoking. Recent research studies have shown a link between tobacco smoking and microscopic colitis, mostly in people ages 16 to 44. Some research studies show a link between using certain medicines that may increase the risk of microscopic colitis. But not all studies agree. Medicines that may be linked to the condition include: Pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Proton pump inhibitors including lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), omeprazole (Prilosec) and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft). Acarbose. Flutamide. Ranitidine. Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, others). Clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz). Entacapone (Comtan). Paroxetine (Paxil). Simvastatin (Flolipid, Zocor). Topiramate (Topamax, Qsymia, others). ComplicationsThere are minimal complications for most people once microscopic colitis is successfully treated. The condition does not increase the risk of colon cancer. By Mayo Clinic Staff Microscopic colitis care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Jan. 16, 2024 Print Show references Microscopic colitis: Collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/microscopic-colitis. Accessed Jan. 5, 2021. Feldman M, et al., eds. Other diseases of the colon. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 5, 2021. Tome J, et al. Microscopic colitis: A concise review for clinicians. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.03.022. What is microscopic colitis? Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-microscopic-colitis. Accessed Dec. 16, 2020. Dietrich CF. Microscopic (lymphocytic and collagenous) colitis: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 11, 2023. Burke KE, et al. Identification of menopausal and reproductive risk factors for microscopic colitis — Results from the Nurses' Health Study. Gastroenterology. 2018; doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2018.08.029. Bonderup OK, et al. Significant association between the use of different proton pump inhibitors and microscopic colitis: A nationwide Danish case‐control study. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2018;48:618. Topiramate. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Jan. 5, 2021. AskMayoExpert. Microscopic colitis (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2022. Camillari M, et al. Pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of chronic watery diarrhea. Gastroenterology 2017;152:515. Diarrhea nutrition therapy. Nutrition Care Manual. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.nutritioncaremanual.org. Accessed Nov. 12, 2018. Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 22, 2020. Related Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic on Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis A Book: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Microscopic colitisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Email address ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Address 1 Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. If you don’t receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry