Living with Ulcerative Colitis: A Guide
Ulcerative Colitis FAQ
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be mild to severe and have no relation to how much of the colon is affected. The condition is characterized by periods of active disease, known as flare-ups, followed by periods when the disease is inactive, known as remission.
What causes ulcerative colitis?
Doctors don't know exactly what causes ulcerative colitis, but some researchers believe that it might be related to problems with your immune system -- your body's defense against germs. An infection with a virus or bacteria in your colon may trigger the inflammation that's linked with the disease.
What is the difference between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease?
IBD is an umbrella term which covers ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are similar, but Crohn's can affect any part of the digestive system, whilst colitis only affects the colon (or large intestine).
How is ulcerative colitis treated?
Both men and women seem to be equally affected by ulcerative colitis. Treatment for ulcerative colitis aims to relieve symptoms during a flare-up and prevent symptoms from returning (maintaining remission). In most people, this is achieved by taking medicine, such as: Mild to moderate flare-ups can usually be treated at home.
Is ulcerative colitis a inflammatory bowel disease?
Ulcerative colitis is one of the main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other is Crohn’s disease. In ulcerative colitis, the lining of your large bowel becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. Often, it only affects your rectum (the very end of your large bowel) – this is called proctitis.
How does ulcerative colitis affect the bowel?
In ulcerative colitis, the lining of your large bowel becomes inflamed and develops ulcers. Often, it only affects your rectum (the very end of your large bowel) – this is called proctitis. The affected areas may bleed and produce mucus, which you then pass out when you poo.
Is ulcerative colitis the same as Crohn's disease?
Ulcerative colitis can affect people of any racial or ethnic group. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease share similar symptoms and they are both types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but they are not the same illness and they affect different areas of the GI tract. Only the colon and rectum (also known as the large intestine) are affected
Ulcerative Colitis References
If you want to know more about Ulcerative Colitis, consider exploring links below:
What Is Ulcerative Colitis
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326
- https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/ulcerative-colitis/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/ulcerative-colitis
- https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/what-is-ulcerative-colitis/overview
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/ulcerative-colitis-7111961
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10351-ulcerative-colitis
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/ulcerative-colitis/
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/ulcerative-colitis
Ulcerative Colitis Information
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