Introduction to Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that is characterised by long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. This condition primarily affects the innermost lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon, and the rectum.

In the long run, this gastroenterological disease can lead to life-threatening complications and can cause disruption to a patient’s day-to-day life. Ulcerative colitis treatment can reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and if managed properly, can lead to remission.

While specific or scientific causes of ulcerative colitis are yet to be discovered, certain factors that are known to contribute to the onset of this condition include:

The human immune system is what protects the body from infection and disease. There may be evidence that ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune condition, which takes place when this system attacks healthy tissue.

When the immune system wards infections off by releasing white blood cells into the blood, this leads to swelling and redness of body tissue in the infected area.

It is believed that one of the causes of ulcerative colitis is when the immune system identifies certain beneficial bacteria in the large intestine as an infection, leading to the inflammation of the colon and the rectum.

Certain researchers even suggest that this condition is the result of a viral or bacterial infection that triggers an immune system response, which doesn’t stop even after the infection is taken care of, resulting in continued inflammation.

There are also suggestions that ulcerative colitis may be caused by an imbalance between good and bad bacteria.

There may be evidence that factors like where individuals live, exposure to bacteria, dietary factors, air pollution, certain medications, stress levels, and even sanitation levels may determine whether symptoms are exaggerated, if not caused.

 For instance, certain data may support that the incidence of ulcerative colitis is higher in urban areas in Northern and Western Europe and America.

Age may also be a risk factor. While ulcerative colitis can occur at any age, it usually occurs before the age of 30.

To find out what the symptoms of this condition are, visit this page.

Genetics may be a factor that triggers the onset of this condition. Certain studies have found that more than 1 in 4 people with ulcerative colitis possess a family history of this gastroenterological disease.

Certain ethnic groups may be more vulnerable to this condition and there may even be certain genes that are more likely to lead to symptoms. Many of these genes may be those playing a role in the immune system.

Medical professionals classify types of ulcerative colitis according to its location in the body. Types of ulcerative colitis include:

This is where inflammation takes place in the rectum. Rectal bleeding may be the only sign that patients are suffering from this type of ulcerative colitis. It is considered to be the mildest form of this disease.

Inflammation takes place in the rectum and the sigmoid colon, which is the lower end of the colon. Symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and a lack of bowel movements despite a clear urge.

Here, the inflammation extends from the rectum, through the sigmoid and descending colon. Similar to proctosigmoiditis, symptoms include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and unintended weight loss.

Pancolitis tends to affect the entire colon and causes bouts of severe, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and significant weight loss.

This is a rare form of colitis that affects the entire colon, causing severe pain, acute diarrhoea, bleeding, fever, and an inability to eat.