Ulcerative Colitis (IBD)

Ulcerative Colitis is another form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in which the immune system misidentifies harmless intestinal bacteria as a threat. When the immune system gets switched on, it’s very hard to get it to turn off again. Unlike Crohn’s Disease, which can affect any part of the intestinal tract, Ulcerative Colitis attacks only the lining of the colon (also called the large intestines), causing inflammation and creating small ulcers that produce pus or mucous.

About

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition limited to the colon/large intestine and is the result of an abnormal response by your body’s immune system. Over time, it can lead to life threatening complications and can debilitating on a daily basis.

FYI

Causes and Risk Factors

Unfortunately, medical professionals don’t know what causes ulcerative colitis. Many suspect, however, that it’s a combination of several factors, including the genes, immune system, and coming into contact with certain substances in the environment.

Some of the factors that increase your risk of Crohn’s Disease also increase your risk of developing Ulcerative Colitis including age, ethnicity and family history.

Symptoms

  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Urgent bowel movement
  • Blood in the stool
  • Anemia
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rectal bleeding

As with other chronic diseases, the symptoms may appear in periods of flare-ups and then subside for a period of time.

Prevention

There is no known prevention for ulcerative colitis. If you believe you are suffering any of the symptoms, seek out your healthcare provider for a thorough diagnosis and to determine the best course of action.

Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

…about Your GI Condition

  • What is the name of my condition?
  • How severe is my condition?
  • Is my condition considered chronic (long-lasting)?
  • Is it hereditary or related to my environment or lifestyle?
  • What complications might I experience?
  • Does my condition increase my risk for developing any other medical problems?

…about Diagnosing Your Conditions

  • What tests are available to diagnose my condition?
  • Which of them do you recommend and why?
  • What does the test involve?
  • What are the side effects of each test?
  • How should I prepare for this diagnostic test?
  • How long will the test take?
  • Will I be able to drive myself home immediately following the test?
  • How long will it take to get the results of the test? Should I call for the results, or will someone contact me?
  • If my test finds a problem, what will our next steps be?

…about Your Treatment

  • Is there a cure for my condition?
  • What are my treatment options and which do you recommend?
  • What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this treatment?
  • What are the common side effects of the recommended treatment?
  • What should I do if I experience severe side effects?
  • Should I take any over-the-counter medications (e.g., antacids, aspirin) during treatment?
  • How long should it take for the treatment to work?
  • Are there any medications that I am already taking or am likely to take that can interact with the medications you are prescribing?
  • What types of lifestyle and dietary changes may be helpful to manage my condition during and after treatment?
  • Should I schedule appointments with a nutritionist, dietician, or other health care specialist? How often should I be seen for follow-up appointments?
  • Are there any clinical trials available for my condition?

Treatments

There is no sure-fire cure, but there are treatments that may help relieve and manage your symptoms. In most cases, your provider will prescribe drugs. These may include:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation
  • Drugs to suppress your immune system.
  • Antibiotics to help fight infections caused by the disease
  • Other drugs to treat diarrhea, pain, constipation, low levels of iron in the blood, pain

If medication and lifestyle changes haven’t improved your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the damage sections of your intestines.

Last modified: June 4, 2014