Ulcerative colitis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Posted: Published on December 27th, 2018

This post was added by Alex Diaz-Granados

OverviewIBD blogRead Mayo's IBD blog, discussing the latest advances in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UL-sur-uh-tiv koe-LIE-tis) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly.

Ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. While it has no known cure, treatment can greatly reduce signs and symptoms of the disease and even bring about long-term remission.

Ulcerative colitis care at Mayo Clinic

Ulcerative colitis symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of inflammation and where it occurs. Signs and symptoms may include:

Most people with ulcerative colitis have mild to moderate symptoms. The course of ulcerative colitis may vary, with some people having long periods of remission.

Doctors often classify ulcerative colitis according to its location. Types of ulcerative colitis include:

See your doctor if you experience a persistent change in your bowel habits or if you have signs and symptoms such as:

Although ulcerative colitis usually isn't fatal, it's a serious disease that, in some cases, may cause life-threatening complications.

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors may aggravate but don't cause ulcerative colitis.

One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When your immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract, too.

Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease. However, most people with ulcerative colitis don't have this family history.

Ulcerative colitis affects about the same number of women and men. Risk factors may include:

Possible complications of ulcerative colitis include:

Link:
Ulcerative colitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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