Ulcerative Colitis
(UC; Colitis, Ulcerative)
Definition
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of severe, chronic
inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD)
, which causes:
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
- Bleeding in the lining of the colon and rectum
Causes
The exact cause is unknown. A virus or bacteria may cause the immune system to overreact and damage the colon and rectum.
Risk Factors
Having a family member with IBD (includes UC and
Crohn's disease
) may increase your risk of developing UC.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
-
Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Rectal bleeding
-
Anemia
- Weight loss
- Fatigue, weakness
- Nausea
- Fever
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam.
Your doctor may order tests, such as:
Treatment
Treatment options may include:
Dietary Changes
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain foods that trigger symptoms, such as:
Talk to your doctor to learn more about the types of foods that you should avoid.
Medications
There are a range of medicines that may be prescribed, such as:
- Aminosalicylate medicines (such as, sulfasalazine,
mesalamine, olsalazine,
balsalazide disodium)
- Steroid anti-inflammatory medicines (such as, prednisone,
methylprednisolone, budesonide)
- Immune modifier medicines (such as, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine)
- Biological agents (such as,
infliximab, adalimumab)
Surgery
Medicine may not cure very severe UC. In some cases, your doctor may suggest
surgery
. This can involve having all or part of the colon removed. Surgery may also be done because UC increases your risk of
colon cancer
.
Over time, colitis that is not treated or that does not respond to treatment can lead to:
If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, follow your doctor's
instructions
.
Prevention
There are no guidelines for preventing this condition.
RESOURCES
American Gastroenterological Society
http://www.gastro.org/
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
http://www.ccfa.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org/
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada
http://www.ccfc.ca
References
Richman S, Schub T. Ulcerative colitis. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center. Available at:
www.ebscohost.com/pointOfCare/nrc-about
. Updated August 2012. Accessed September 5, 2012.
Ulcerative colitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us
. Updated September 2, 2012. Accessed September 5, 2012.
What is ulcerative colitis? Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America website. Available at:
www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-ulcerative-colitis/
. Accessed September 5, 2012.