Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Collagenous colitis is a type of microscopic colitis that leads to chronic, watery diarrhea. Under a microscope, a pathologist sees a thickened band of collagen (a structural protein) just beneath the lining of the colon. Despite normal appearance on standard colonoscopy, tissue biopsies confirm the diagnosis.
He reviews your diarrhea pattern (including urgency and frequency), any abdominal or epigastric discomfort, medication use (NSAIDs, SSRIs), smoking history, and coexisting autoimmune conditions.
We draw blood to check for anemia or inflammation (CBC, CRP) and obtain stool samples to rule out infections, parasites, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
In rare or atypical cases, Dr. Pothuri may order cross-sectional imaging (CT or MRI enterography) or capsule endoscopy to exclude small-bowel pathology as a cause of chronic diarrhea or upper-abdominal discomfort.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Collagenous colitis is a form of microscopic colitis that causes chronic, watery diarrhea and shows a thickened collagen band under the colon lining when viewed under a microscope.
The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include age over 50, certain medications (NSAIDs, some antidepressants), autoimmune conditions, smoking history, and female gender.
Avoid or limit caffeine, carbonated drinks, high-fat or fried foods, sugar substitutes (sorbitol, mannitol), and dairy if you're lactose intolerant.
Diagnosis requires a colonoscopy with biopsy. A pathologist examines tissue samples for the characteristic thick collagen layer beneath the colon lining.
Treatment may include dietary modifications, anti-diarrheal agents (like loperamide), budesonide (a targeted steroid), and bile acid binders (cholestyramine). Severe cases might require endoscopic therapy.
Dietary changes help many patients, but some also need medication or minimally invasive procedures to control symptoms effectively.
