What is ulcerative colitis?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Ulcerative colitis is one of the diseases that falls into the broader category of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). It's an inflammation of the colon (another name for the large intestine) and is closely related to another IBD, Crohn's disease. In fact, without proper testing it can be difficult for doctors to distinguish Crohn's from ulcerative colitis. This form of colitis can affect only the rectum, specific parts of the colon, or the entire colon.
In anywhere from 12 to 15 percent of cases, genetics seems to play a role in causing ulcerative colitis. Particularly at risk are people with a family history and also Ashkenazi Jews (Jews from middle or Eastern Europe).
Ulcerative colitis is one of the diseases that falls into the broader category of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). It's an inflammation of the colon (another name for the large intestine) and is closely related to another IBD, Crohn's disease. In... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the innermost lining of the large intestine and/or rectum. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal cramps, and rectal bleeding (bleeding from the very end of the GI tract, right before the anus). Other symptoms include anemia (a loss of red blood cells resulting in extreme tiredness or fatigue), nausea, vomiting, fever, weight loss (because the intestines may not be able to absorb enough nutrients from food), joint pain, and skin problems.
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the innermost lining of the large intestine and/or rectum. Symptoms include bloody diarrhea that doesn't stop, abdominal cramps, and rectal bleeding (bleeding from the very end of the GI tract, right before... More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:Inflammatory bowel disease, most commonly manifesting as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, affects about 1 million Americans. It is one family of over a hundred autoimmune Illnesses, in which the body's defense forces (immune system) mistakenly attacks the body - in this case the small or large intestines.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, fever and intermittent rectal bleeding.
It is the latter 2 symptoms that distinguish inflammatory bowel disease from the more common (and more benign) spastic colon and irritable bowel syndrome - which can be easy to treat holistically.
Although Crohn's disease most commonly affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (the colon), it may involve any part of your intestines. In ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, bowel involvement is limited to the colon.
Most often your physician will diagnose the problem by doing a colonoscopy (looking up your bottom with a long flexible tube) and biopsies. Blood tests can also help distinguish between Crohn&apso;s and ulcerative colitis.
Inflammatory bowel disease, most commonly manifesting as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, affects about 1 million Americans. It is one family of over a hundred autoimmune Illnesses, in which the body's defense forces (immune system)... More -
Healthwise answered:Ulcerative colitis makes swelling, inflammation, and sores in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and causes diarrhea, belly pain, and bleeding from the rectum. It's a lifelong condition, but in most people the symptoms come and go.
Medicines can stop or reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups. If the disease is severe, you may need surgery to remove the colon.
Ulcerative colitis makes swelling, inflammation, and sores in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and causes diarrhea, belly pain, and bleeding from the rectum. It's a lifelong condition, but in most people the symptoms come and go. Medicines... More
