Understanding Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract, primarily in the colon and rectum.
Key Fact: Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes leads to life-threatening complications, but with treatment, many go into remission.
Common Symptoms
Bloody Diarrhea
Frequent bowel movements that often contain blood, pus, or mucus.
Abdominal Pain
Cramping and discomfort particularly in the lower left side of the abdomen.
Rectal Urgency
Feeling an immediate and uncontrollable need to have a bowel movement.
Weight Loss
Loss of weight and fatigue due to malabsorption and chronic inflammation.
Risk Factors
- Age (usually starts before 30)
- Race (higher risk in Caucasians and Ashkenazi Jews)
- Family history
- Dietary factors and stress (can trigger flare-ups)
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves seeing the inflammation and ulcers through a camera passed into the colon.
Common Treatments
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Aminosalicylates (5-ASAs): Medications that help reduce inflammation in the lining of the colon.
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Corticosteroids: Used during acute flare-ups to quickly bring inflammation under control.
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Biologics: Targeted drug therapies like infliximab for moderate to severe cases.