Types, causes and symptoms
Ulcerative colitis is the development and ongoing inflammation of ulcers in the
colon and rectum, where digestive waste is stored before being expelled. It can
cause severe abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhoea, mucus production and bleeding.
This condition generally starts in adolescence or mid-life, but can start at any age.
If your GP suspects you have ulcerative colitis, he or she will do some
tests – and unless another diagnosis is made, you will be sent for a colonoscopy
or sigmoidoscopy and other special tests, to examine your colon and rectum for inflammation,
ulcers or bleeding.
Once you are diagnosed, it's vital to become informed – so you can learn to live
with it as best as possible.
Types of ulcerative colitis
There are various different types of ulcerative colitis depending on the main
site of activity, the extent and the severity. It can affect various parts of
the colon or all of it and the exact area and extent of the inflammation
differs slightly for each.
Causes of ulcerative colitis
The actual causes of ulcerative colitis are still unknown. The disease does run
in families. People with ulcerative colitis may have abnormalities of the immune
system but it isn’t known whether these are a cause or a consequence of the disease.
It is thought that the colon might become inflamed because the immune system reacts
abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive system.
At the moment, it is unclear why the immune system behaves in this way. It seems
very unlikely that ulcerative colitis is something you can 'catch' from someone
else.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Abdominal pain and diarrhoea containing mucus and blood are both signs of
ulcerative colitis. The more severe these symptoms are, the further the
disease may have spread. You may not experience these symptoms all of the
time – they may only occur during 'attacks' when your intestines are
aggravated and inflamed.
It's important to note that rectal bleeding and diarrhoea could also be signs of
other potential health problems. Either way, you should always speak to your doctor
as soon as possible.
View graphic depictions
of ulcerative colitis
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