Inflammatory Bowel Disease Series: Microscopic Colitis

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Darrell S. Pardi, M.D., and Laura E. Raffals, M.D. Microscopic colitis is one of the lesser-known members of the inflammatory bowel disease family. Symptoms include chronic, frequent diarrhea and fecal urgency. It’s usually suspected from the patient’s clinical symptoms and diagnosis is established by colonoscopy with biopsy. Biopsy is necessary as the colonic mucosa appears normal at endoscopy. A specific cause isn’t known but it can be associated with several medications. Although it’s not typically a life-threatening condition, it can lead to weight loss and potentially dehydration. How does microscopic colitis differ from ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease? Who’s at risk of developing it? Since these patients usually present to primary care providers, when should we suspect it? How is it managed, and can it be cured?  These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guests, Darrell S. Pardi, M.D., and Laura E. Raffals, M.D., both gastroenterologists at the Mayo Clinic. We’ll be discussing “Microscopic Colitis” as part of our ongoing series of podcasts on “Inflammatory Bowel Disease”. https://ce.mayo.edu/content/mayo-clinic-talks-inflammatory-bowel-disease Connect with us and learn more here: https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts