What is the treatment for collagenous colitis?
In most cases, collagenous and lymphocytic colitis respond to medical therapy. Anti-inflammatory agents, antibacterial agents, antidiarrheal medications, steroids, a low-fat diet, and elimination of foods containing lactose and caffeine have all been reported to be effective in improving symptoms. Although these therapeutic approaches have demonstrated symptomatic improvement, there have been few patients with total histological reversal. Questions still remain regarding the duration of therapy and the utility of histological appearance as a treatment guide. Physicians should also consider the risk-benefit ratio when treating mildly symptomatic patients with corticosteroids.
