What are the risk factors for ulcerative colitis?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:An immediate family history is one of the strongest risk factors for ulcerative colitis, a form of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Up to 10 percent of people who develop it have an immediate family member (i.e., parent or sibling) who also have the condition. Being descended from Ashkenazi Jews (people whose origins are in middle or Eastern Europe) also puts you at risk.
Age also seems to play a role. For reasons we don't yet understand, you're likely to be at risk if you're between the ages of 20 and 30, or age 50 and older.
There also seem to be some environmental risk factors. People living in urban areas are more at risk. Using oral contraceptives, breastfeeding, and certain dietary factors also increase your risk.
Strangely, if you stop smoking, you may increase your risk for ulcerative colitis. It seems that smoking provides some sort of protective measure against this disorder. Of course, given all the other dangers smoking causes, preventing ulcerative colitis is not a particularly good reason for continuing this habit.
An immediate family history is one of the strongest risk factors for ulcerative colitis, a form of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Up to 10 percent of people who develop it have an immediate family member (i.e., parent or sibling) who also have the... More -
Healthwise answered:You have an increased risk of ulcerative colitis if you:
- Have a family history of the disease. Your risk increases if an immediate family member such as a parent, brother or sister has the disease.
- Are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
You have an increased risk of ulcerative colitis if you: Have a family history of the disease. Your risk increases if an immediate family member such as a parent, brother or sister has the disease. Are of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. More
