What is Colitis?

Colitis is a chronic digestive disease characterized by inflammation of the colon. It is one of a group of conditions which are inflammatory and auto-immune, affecting the tissue that lines the gastrointestinal system (the large and small intestine). It is classed as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis.