Ulcerative colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers in the colon / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with the other type being Crohn's disease.[1] It is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum.[1][7] The primary symptoms of active disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea mixed with blood (hematochezia).[1] Weight loss, fever, and anemia may also occur.[1] Often, symptoms come on slowly and can range from mild to severe.[1] Symptoms typically occur intermittently with periods of no symptoms between flares.[1] Complications may include abnormal dilation of the colon (megacolon), inflammation of the eye, joints, or liver, and colon cancer.[1][3]
Ulcerative colitis | |
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Endoscopic image of a colon affected by ulcerative colitis. The internal surface of the colon is blotchy and broken in places. Mild-moderate disease. | |
Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Symptoms | Abdominal pain, diarrhea mixed with blood, weight loss, fever, anemia,[1] dehydration, loss of appetite, fatigue, sores on the skin, urgency to defecate, inability to defecate despite urgency, rectal pain[2] |
Complications | Megacolon, inflammation of the eye, joints, or liver, colon cancer[1][3] |
Usual onset | 15ā30 years or >60 years[1] |
Duration | Long term[1] |
Causes | Unknown[1] |
Diagnostic method | Colonoscopy with tissue biopsies[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Dysentery, Crohn's disease, ischemic colitis[4] |
Treatment | Dietary changes, medication, surgery[1] |
Medication | Sulfasalazine, mesalazine, steroids, immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, biological therapy[1] |
Frequency | 2ā299 per 100,000[5] |
Deaths | 47,400 together with Crohn's (2015)[6] |
The cause of UC is unknown.[1] Theories involve immune system dysfunction, genetics, changes in the normal gut bacteria, and environmental factors.[1][8] Rates tend to be higher in the developed world with some proposing this to be the result of less exposure to intestinal infections, or to a Western diet and lifestyle.[7][9] The removal of the appendix at an early age may be protective.[9] Diagnosis is typically by colonoscopy with tissue biopsies.[1]
Several medications are used to treat symptoms and bring about and maintain remission, including aminosalicylates such as mesalazine or sulfasalazine, steroids, immunosuppressants such as azathioprine, and biologic therapy.[1] Removal of the colon by surgery may be necessary if the disease is severe, does not respond to treatment, or if complications such as colon cancer develop.[1] Removal of the colon and rectum generally cures the condition.[1][9]