What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Key Symptoms
- Diarrhea, often with blood or pus
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal pain and bleeding
- Urgency to defecate
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
Causes and Risk Factors
Primary Causes
- Autoimmune response
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental triggers
Risk Factors
- Age (most often diagnosed before 30)
- Family history
- Ethnicity (more common in white people)
- Living in urban, industrialized areas
Diagnosis
- Colonoscopy
- Blood tests
- Stool samples
- Imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans)
Treatment Options
Medications
-
Anti-inflammatory drugs
- 5-aminosalicylates
- Corticosteroids
-
Immune system suppressors
- Azathioprine
- Mercaptopurine
- Biologics
Lifestyle Changes
- Dietary modifications
- Stress management
- Regular exercise
- Smoking cessation
Surgery
- May be necessary in severe cases
- Usually involves removing the entire colon and rectum
Living with UC
- Monitor symptoms
- Follow medication schedule
- Maintain regular medical appointments
- Join support groups
- Keep a symptom diary
Complications
- Severe bleeding
- Perforated colon
- Increased risk of colon cancer
- Severe dehydration
- Bone loss
- Inflammation in other areas
When to Seek Medical Care
- Severe abdominal pain
- Heavy diarrhea
- High fever
- Significant blood in stool
- Unable to hold fluids down