Colitis new diagnosis question

[BMWL]

Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with 'mild colitis' of the descending colon after a CT of my abdomen was done.
I was having diarrhoea for several days prior to this, with fever.

Anything I see on google says ulcerative colitis - is this the same thing?
Sorry for my ignorance but the diagnosis has come as a bit of a shock.. I've always suffered from very bad bloating, especially after some foods, constipation and abdominal pains, but never diarrhoea until now.

Is this something I could have had for years and just ignored?

Any help is appreciated

From google - Colitis means your colon is inflamed, or irritated. This can be a result of many things, such as infections from viruses or bacteria. Ulcerative colitis is more severe because it isn't caused by an infection and is lifelong

Can you have colitis without it being ulcerative?
The word “colitis” in ulcerative colitis can refer to any kind of inflammation in the lining of your large intestine or colon. There are a number of other things that inflame the lining of your colon without causing ulcers to form like in UC.

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/ulcerative-colitis/colitis-ulcerative-colitis-difference

Seems like they are different things. My niece has UC, I didnt know colitis was a diagnosis without "ulcerative", hopefully they can treat and you will be able to get some relief soon now you have a diagnosis.

Have you had a colonoscopy?
Usually they don't dx without one.

Hello,

I actually had this on my colonoscopy report and the nurse said "colitis and ulcerative colitis are not the same. Colitis just means it was inflamed"