Ulcerative Colitis

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

Medical Author: Dennis Lee, MD
Medical Editors: Jay W. Marks, MD

• What is ulcerative colitis?
• What causes ulcerative colitis?
• What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
• How is the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis made?
• What are the complications of ulcerative colitis?
• What are the treatments for ulcerative colitis?
• 5-ASA compounds (Azulfidine, Asacol, Pentasa, Dipentum)
• Systemic corticosteroids (including side effects)
• What are immunomodulator medications?
• Summary of medication treatment
• Surgery
• What research is being done regarding ulcerative colitis?
• Ulcerative Colitis At A Glance
• Pictures of Digestive Disease Myths - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Ulcerative Colitis - Symptoms Experienced

Featured ulcerative colitis patient discussions on symptoms and signs experienced "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis last month after I was admitted into the hospital with severe diarrhea and bile vomiting. I went to the doctor twice and they said I had caught a bug and it should pass with antibiotics. After three weeks of abdominal pain and not being able to eat, I figured I'd better go to the ER. The first time I went to the ER, they said the same thing as the doctor and sent me home with more potent antibiotics. Three days after no changes, I was back in the ER and was admitted for five days. After a colonoscopy they diagnosed me with ulcerative colitis, and now I’m on mesalamine (Asacol), medicated enemas, and steroids in an attempt to get it under control. After four weeks now, I'm slowly getting better. My stools are getting more formed, and my cramps are usually in the afternoon while I'm at work because I'm trying to hold my stools. The only thing now of concern is my liver counts are elevated, so I have to take weekly tests to keep an eye on that. I feel 75% better than when I went to the hospital, but I'm ready to get my life back to some sort of normalcy. " "I have had UC for 8 years, seems to be getting harder to treat. I have run the gambit of drugs, the only thing working now is prednisone, I am tapering down to 20 mg with little problem. Hate the side effects, extra 15 lbs, facial puffiness, hump in the upper back area, swelling of feet and ankles. The next step will be Imodium. The only thing that makes it bearable is a great doctor and a wonderful understanding husband. Good luck to all who have the UC curse. " "I have had ulcerative colitis for over a decade now. First symptoms were uncontrollable diarrhea, bloody stools and mucus. I thought I was dying. My doctor put me on sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) at that time. I barely have any symptoms at all now. I stopped eating dairy!! That did half of the trick. I can have some dairy now. Less refined the better. So, diet, exercise and Azulfidine have made me almost totally free of symptoms for over many years now. I am down to 500mg once a day." Read All Ulcerative Colitis Comments » Top Searched Ulcerative Colitis Terms: ulcerative colitis causes, ulcerative colitis complications, ulcerative colitis medications, ulcerative colitis symptoms, ulcerative colitis diagnosis, ulcerative colitis treatment, ulcerative colitis risk factors Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). The colon is the part of the digestive system where waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. In patients with ulcerative colitis, ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the colon lead to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

Ulcerative colitis is closely related to another condition of inflammation of the intestines called Crohn's disease. Together, they are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's diseases are chronic conditions that can last years to decades. They affect approximately 500,000 to 2 million people In the United States. Men and women are affected equally. They most commonly begin during adolescence and early adulthood, but they also can begin during childhood and later in life.

It is found worldwide, but is most common in the United States, England, and northern Europe. It is especially common in people of Jewish descent. Ulcerative colitis is rarely seen in Eastern Europe, Asia, and South America, and is rare in the black population. For unknown reasons, an increased frequency of this condition has been recently observed in developing nations.

What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?

The causes of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are unknown. To date, there has been no convincing evidence that these two diseases are caused by infection. Neither disease is contagious.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are caused by abnormal activation of the immune system in the intestines. The immune system is composed of immune cells and the proteins that these cells produce. These cells and proteins serve to defend the body against harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign invaders. Activation of the immune system causes inflammation within the tissues where the activation occurs. (Inflammation is, in fact, an important mechanism of defense used by the immune system.) Normally, the immune system is activated only when the body is exposed to harmful invaders. In patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, however, the immune system is abnormally and chronically activated in the absence of any known invader. The continued abnormal activation of the immune systems causes chronic inflammation and ulceration. The susceptibility to abnormal activation of the immune system is genetically inherited. First degree relatives (brothers, sisters, children, and parents) of patients with IBD are thus more likely to develop these diseases.

Ulcerative Colitis - Symptoms Experienced

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