Ulcerative colitis
Chronic inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum.
Last updated
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease where abnormal immune reactions cause inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of the large intestine.[1] The condition typically involves the rectum and extends proximally in a continuous pattern.[2]
Key facts and history
Ulcerative colitis can develop at any age but is more likely to develop in people between 15 and 30 years old.[1] The cause is unknown, but experts think genes, abnormal immune reactions, the microbiome, and the environment play a role.[1] Primary symptoms include diarrhea, passing blood with stool, and abdominal pain.[1] The disease is classified by extent of involvement: proctitis, left-sided colitis, or extensive colitis.[3]
Medications used to treat symptoms and maintain remission include aminosalicylates, steroids, immunosuppressants, and biologic therapy.[4]
What the research sources say
The NIDDK states that ulcerative colitis symptoms may cause some people to lose their appetite and eat less, and they may not get enough nutrients.[1] The NIDDK also notes that doctors typically treat ulcerative colitis with medicines to reduce inflammation in the large intestine.[1] The NIDDK advises that if you have ulcerative colitis, you should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.[1]
References
- "Ulcerative Colitis", NIDDK, September 2014. facts only, no text reused. niddk.nih.gov
- Wikipedia, "Ulcerative colitis" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "ACG Clinical Guideline: Ulcerative Colitis in Adults", The American Journal of Gastroenterology, March 2019, p. 384–413; "Crohn Disease: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management", Mayo Clinic Proceedings, July 2017, p. 1088–1103 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ulcerative colitis" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Third European Evidence-based Consensus on Diagnosis and Management of Ulcerative Colitis. Part 1: Definitions, Diagnosis, Extra-intestinal Manifestations, Pregnancy, Cancer Surveillance, Surgery, and Ileo-anal Pouch Di; "ACG Clinical Guideline: Ulcerative Colitis in Adults", The American Journal of Gastroenterology, March 2019, p. 384–413 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Ulcerative colitis" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Ulcerative Colitis", NIDDK, September 2014; "Ulcerative Colitis", NIDDK, September 2014; "Ulcerative Colitis", NIDDK, September 2014; "Ulcerative colitis", The New England Journal of Medicine, November 2011, p. 1713–1725 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Ulcerative colitis (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Inflammatory diseases of the digestive system
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Ulcerative colitis (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced