Pancolitis is a generalized inflammation of the colon. It usually occurs as part of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can also be a complication of colitis, a localized inflammation of the colon.

A pancolitis is aparticular form of colitis, that is, a type of inflammation that occurs in the colon, the longest segment of the large intestine. While colitis is usually localized and affects only part of the colon, pancolitis is ageneralized inflammation of the colon.

Pancolitis is usually theconsequence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are different forms, the exact causes of which remain unknown. However, it seems that IBD is linked to an overactivity of the digestive immune system. There are often two different ones:

• laCrohn’s disease, which manifests as inflammation that can affect the entire digestive system;
• laulcerative colitis, or ulcerative colitis, which specifically affects the colon and rectum.

A pancolitis can be thecomplication of localized colitis. It can, for example, follow on from:

• infectious colitis, which may be of bacterial, viral, parasitic or even fungal origin;
• iatrogenic colitis, which can be caused by irradiation during a medical examination or the taking of certain drugs such as antimitotics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or even neuroleptics;
• ischemic colitis, acute or chronic, which is due to poor irrigation of the colon wall;
• microscopic colitissuch as lymphocytic colitis and collagen colitis.

Given the causes of pancolitis, those most at risk are those with colitis or IBD. Statistics show that IBD is most often diagnosed in young adults between the ages of 20 and 30.

Affecting the entire colon, pancolitis is asevere form of colitis. In the absence of adequate medical treatment, the development of inflammation can lead to adverse health effects. In particular, pancolitis increases the risk of colon cancer.

Pancolitis has symptoms similar to those of colitis. It is often manifested by:

• Intense abdominal desdouleurs;
• chronic diarrhea, with frequent evacuation of watery stools, sometimes mixed with blood.

The risk of developing pancolitis increases with the risk of developing chronic bowel disease. Although there appears to be a genetic predisposition to this disease, it could be favored or accentuated by other external factors such as poor eating habits or air pollution.

The development of pancolitis can also be favored by untreated, persistent or recurrent colitis.

In the event of pancolitis, several treatments can be considered. The choice depends above all on the origin of the inflammation.

In general, the medical management of pancolitis is based on drug treatment. Antibiotics can, for example, be used in cases of pancolitis of infectious origin. 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) can be prescribed for ulcerative colitis.

In more severe cases, surgery may be performed.Pancolitis has symptoms similar to those of colitis. It is often manifested by:

• Intense abdominal desdouleurs;
• chronic diarrhea, with frequent evacuation of watery stools, sometimes mixed with blood.

The risk of developing pancolitis increases with the risk of developing chronic bowel disease. Although there appears to be a genetic predisposition to this disease, it could be favored or accentuated by other external factors such as poor eating habits or air pollution.

The development of pancolitis can also be favored by untreated, persistent or recurrent colitis.

In the event of pancolitis, several treatments can be considered. The choice depends above all on the origin of the inflammation.

In general, the medical management of pancolitis is based on drug treatment. Antibiotics can, for example, be used in cases of pancolitis of infectious origin. 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) can be prescribed for ulcerative colitis.

In the most serious cases, a surgical operation may be performed.