Ulcerative colitis (UC)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine and rectum. It's the most common type of IBD.
Symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in stool
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Causes
- Abnormal immune system response
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
Treatment
- Treatments can help manage symptoms
Prognosis
- A lifelong disorder that can impact quality of life
Diagnosis
- Medical tests may include blood tests, stool tests, and endoscopy of the large intestine
Risk factors
- Family history of ulcerative colitis or other autoimmune diseases
- Jewish ancestry
- Eating highly processed foods and a diet that is high in refined sugar and low in fiber
Complications
- The risk for colon cancer increases in each decade after ulcerative colitis is diagnosed