Ulcerative Colitis
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease, characterized by sores and ulcers in the large intestine. A person living with ulcerative colitis may not notice symptoms until the disease has progressed.
The following subgroups have been shown to be more susceptible to developing ulcerative colitis:
- Young adults and people over the age of 60
- Related to someone with an inflammatory bowel disease
- Jewish heritage
Approximately 700,000 people in the United States live with ulcerative colitis.
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
The most common ulcerative colitis symptoms include:
- Blood in stool
- Loose bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Anemia
- Cramping
- Joint pain
- Rash
Is there treatment available for ulcerative colitis?
While there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, there are treatments to manage the symptoms and encourage remission. These treatments include:
- Antibiotics
- Aminosalicylates
- Corticosteroids
- Immunomodulators
- Biologics
If your case is severe enough, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove parts of or your entire colon.
Where can I find more information on ulcerative colitis?
