Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, urgency, cramping, and sometimes bleeding. It can result from infections, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, autoimmune reactions, or reduced blood flow (ischaemic colitis). Chronic colitis often disrupts nutrient absorption, leading to fatigue and weight loss, while flare-ups can severely impact quality of life. Management depends on the cause and may involve dietary changes, stress reduction, medication, and functional medicine approaches to calm inflammation, restore gut integrity, and support long-term digestive health.