Ulcerative colitis is one type of several types of inflammatory bowel disease, which include Crohn's disease.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, ongoing disease that causes inflammation of the large intestine and/or rectum in the lower gastrointestinal tract. The hallmarks of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea due to inflammation and the development of open sores (ulcers) in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Other symptoms of ulcerative colitis include abdominal cramping, nausea, fever, skin ulcers, loss of appetite, weight loss, joint pain, and fatigue.
People with ulcerative colitis may also develop anemia due to loss of blood. Ulcerative colitis can also lead to dehydration and malnourishment due to the loss of fluids and nutrients that occurs with ongoing or severe diarrhea. Serious complications of ulcerative colitis include hemorrhage, colon rupture, and the possible development of colon cancer. However, some people with ulcerative colitis may experience very mild symptoms. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
It is not known what causes ulcerative colitis, but it may be the result of an over-reactive immune response to normal bacteria and other substances in the gastrointestinal tract. There may also be a familial connection with ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. About 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have a family member with the disease or with Crohn's disease.
Ulcerative colitis can occur in both sexes and in any age group but most often begins in people between 15 and 30 years of age. Ulcerative colitis is not caused by stress or by eating certain foods, although stress and certain food sensitivities may trigger or aggravate symptoms.
Making a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is often done by a specialist called a gastroenterologist. The process begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination.
It may also include doing blood tests and other tests that check for bacteria, viruses, parasites and blood in stool. Other tests include a complete blood count, which can help reveal if a person has developed anemia and show if an inflammatory process is occurring.
Making a diagnosis also includes performing special imaging tests to see a picture of the insides of the intestines and look for areas of inflammation. Tests may include an upper GI series. This test takes X-ray pictures of the small intestine after drinking barium, a solution that helps to illuminate abnormalities in the GI tract.
CT scan and a variety of tests using video imaging technology may also be done to diagnose ulcerative colitis and rule-out other similar diseases, such as Crohn's disease. This includes a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy. These tests involve passing a small flexible tube fitted with a camera through the anus into the colon to look for areas of inflammation. During this procedure, samples of inflamed tissue are taken to be examined under a microscope to confirm a diagnosis.
A diagnosis of the ulcerative colitis may be missed or delayed because symptoms can mimic the symptoms of other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of ulcerative colitis.
Although there is no cure, ulcerative colitis is treatable and can often be controlled to effectively reduce symptoms and bring on periods of symptom-free remission. This can be achieved by using a variety of medications, depending on the type and severity of the condition and the individual case. Dietary and lifestyle changes can also be helpful. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of ulcerative colitis. ...more »
Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, ongoing disease of the lower digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The hallmarks of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea due to inflammation and the development of open sores (ulcers) in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
Ulcerative colitis is one of several types of inflammatory bowel disease that include Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Like other inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis can seriously affect a person's ability to work, attend school, travel or complete other normal activities of daily living. Serious complications of the ulcerative colitis include massive bleeding, colon rupture, and the possible development of colon cancer. About 25%-40% of people with ulcerative colitis eventually have their colons removed because of these complications. Complications may also include the development of arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. On the other hand, about half of people with ulcerative colitis experience only mild symptoms.
There may be a familial connection with ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. About 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have a family member with the disease or with Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis can occur in any age group, but most often begins in people between 15 and 30 years of age. It occurs less often in people 50 and 70 years of age, but seems to affect men and women equally. Other people with a higher risk of developing the disease in include those of Jewish descent and Caucasians. ...more »
The severity and types of symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from person to person and can run the gamut from very mild to severe. For some people, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can seriously affect a person's ability to participate in normal activities of daily living. Typical symptoms of ulcerative colitis include bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain ...more symptoms »
There is currently no cure for ulcerative colitis, but there are treatments that can help control the disease. The overall treatment goal for people living with ulcerative colitis is to control symptoms to a degree that allows them to feel better and live the most normal, healthy, and active lives as possible. This includes inducing and maintaining ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of ulcerative colitis may missed or delayed because its symptoms may be mistaken for symptoms of such conditions as gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, food poisoning, appendicitis, pancreatitis, or diverticulosis. In addition, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between a diagnosis of Crohn's ...more misdiagnosis »
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Prognosis for Ulcerative colitis: Patients with ulcerative colitis usually have an intermittent course, with periods of disease inactivity alternating with "flares" of disease. Patients with proctitis or left-sided colitis usually have a more benign course: only 15% progress proximally with their disease, and up to 20% can have sustained remission in the absence of any therapy. Patients with more extensive disease are less likely to sustain remission, but the rate of remission is independent of the severity of disease.
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Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine. The inflammation usually occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon, but it may affect the entire colon. Ulcerative colitis rarely affects the small intestine except for the lower section, called the ileum. Ulcerative colitis may also be called colitis, ileitis, or proctitis. (Source: excerpt from Ulcerative Colitis: NIDDK)
Chronic, recurrent ulceration of the colon mucosa and submucosa. - (Source - Diseases Database)
A serious chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine and rectum characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever and chills and profuse diarrhea - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
Ophanet, a consortium of European partners,
currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000.
They list Ulcerative colitis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet
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