The most common symptom of microscopic colitis is chronic, watery, nonbloody diarrhea. Episodes of diarrhea can last for weeks, months, or even years. However, many people with microscopic colitis may have long periods without diarrhea. Other signs and symptoms of microscopic colitis can include:

__a strong urgency to have a bowel movement or a need to go to the bathroom quickly
__pain, cramping, or bloating in the abdomen-the area between the chest and the hips-that is usually mild
__weight loss
__fecal incontinence-accidental passing of stool or fluid from the rectum-especially at night
__nausea
__dehydration-a condition that results from not taking in enough liquids to replace fluids lost through diarrhea

The symptoms of microscopic colitis can come and go frequently. Sometimes, the symptoms go away without treatment.